Prince Albert Grand Council to explore policing options for First Nations through agreement with Sask., Ottawa
CBC
Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte of the Prince Albert Grand Council joined federal and provincial public safety ministers on Monday to sign an agreement to prioritize community safety and possibly explore self-policing.
Hardlotte, alongside the ministers, signed a letter of intent described as "an agreement to explore new, community-oriented ways to deliver police services and improve safety in First Nations communities."
Prince Albert Grand Council represents 12 First Nations and 28 communities, including James Smith Cree Nation, and the letter was signed at the PAGC annual general assembly.
"[It's] a document to make our communities safe, if we work together," said Hardlotte in Prince Albert, Sask.
The agreement is not legally binding, but it signifies the formation of the PAGC Public Safety Implementation Team, which will explore culturally-appropriate public safety initiatives tailored to each community's specific needs.
The team's consultation work is set to begin in 2023, according to Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino.
"It will be supported with the resources that are necessary," he said. The consultation work will inform a feasibility study, and what follows the feasibility study will be programs, initiatives and possibly the creation of self-administered policing services — if that's what the communities want.
Mendicino said the work is meant to empower Indigenous communities to determine their best path forward.
Wally Burns, chief of the James Smith band of James Smith Cree Nation, also spoke in Prince Albert after the letter of intent was announced. He and leaders of the other two JSCN bands have been advocating for a local police force to better serve their community in the wake of the mass stabbings on Sept.4 in the community.
Burns said the agreement is an important step forward in improving community safety, as he reflected on the trauma from the mass killings. Eleven people were killed and 18 others injured during the attacks.
"I don't want to see this happening to another community. It hurts. It hurts so much," Burns said.
Before the letter signing, Burns and Mendicino met with family members of victims killed in the mass stabbing on James Smith Cree Nation.
The politician said it was a meeting he won't forget.
"This is a community that remains awash in grief, and trauma, and loss, but there is also perseverance and real strength."
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