James Smith inquest hears many Indigenous people are reluctant to call RCMP due to bad experiences

WARNING: This story contains distressing details.

Some Indigenous people are still reluctant to call police for help, and RCMP know they have to work hard to change that, an inquest into the 2022 mass stabbings at James Smith Cree Nation heard Wednesday morning.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Case, commander for the Saskatchewan detachment that includes James Smith, said people not reporting things to police is very common.

"It does concern me when people aren't reporting. That's a hurdle we have to try and get over."

The inquest, which is examining the deaths of 11 people killed by James Smith member Myles Sanderson, heard about issues ranging from colonialism and residential schools to negative personal experiences with police.

The inquest also heard that Sanderson and his brother, Damien, had committed assaults that were not reported prior to the killings.

Coroner's counsel Timothy Hawryluk said if any of those assaults had been reported to police, "this could have been a much different scenario."

Case said he and his 15 fellow officers stationed in Melfort are trying to communicate more frequently with the internal security force at James Smith. He said they are valued partners.

The security force is unarmed, but has uniforms and marked patrol vehicles with flashing lights. They help with crowd and traffic control at scenes, and share tips about local people or conditions.

"They've assisted us in a number of ways.… I feel we work together quite well," said Case, who was not at the detachment at the time of the killings on Sept. 4, 2022.

RCMP will often call the security force first before responding to some calls, asking if there's anything officers should know. RCMP have also started asking for help enforcing warrants, Case said.

At the time of the stabbings, a warrant was out for Sanderson's arrest after he failed to report to his probation officer.

Case was asked if stationing one or two RCMP at James Smith rather than in Melfort, an approximately 25-minute drive away, would improve safety. He said there are discussions underway with James Smith leadership to do exactly that.

As for warrants, Case said there are two types. A more urgent response is made if someone has done something and is a danger at that moment. Warrants for someone who fails to report to their parole officer or fails to meet other conditions are lower priority.