Indigenous-led policing study to explore options for Sask. First Nations

The provincial and federal governments have teamed up with the Prince Albert Grand Council to examine options for Indigenous-led policing in the grand council’s member communities.

The three groups are investing $1.4 million to help support the implementation of “effective and culturally appropriate” policing in the 12 First Nations across 28 communities which are members of the grand council.

The groups worked together in 2022 to create the grand council’s Public Safety Implementation Team, which worked to further Indigenous-led public safety initiatives and helped design a feasibility study under Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Policing Program. Last year, PAGC representatives took a trip to Arizona to research best practices in Indigenous policing from the biggest tribal police force in the United States.

The new funding will let the grand council proceed to the next phase of that study, which will see the organization conduct an analysis of community safety needs through engagement sessions.

“This contribution agreement is a key milestone in our partnership with the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, aiming to advance culturally sensitive policing across our communities,” Brian Hardlotte, grand chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council, said in a statement.

“We are thankful for this support, which will allow us to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study. Our goal is to ensure that our public safety strategies are effective and truly reflective of the unique values of Prince Albert Grand Council’s member First Nations.”

Dominic LeBlanc, the federal minister of public safety, said he’s looking forward to working closely with the grand council as it improves on public safety.

“Our government is working collaboratively with the Prince Albert Grand Council to put in place policing services which are responsive to their particular realities and today’s announcement is in keeping with the collaborative approach which has guided us throughout our discussions,” LeBlanc said in a statement.

The recent federal budget proposed a $267.5 million investment over five years for First Nations-led policing.

Paul Merriman, Saskatchewan’s minister of corrections, policing and public safety, said the provincial government is proud to invest in First Nations policing.

“This is one of many steps the province is taking to ensure our communities are safe, secure and strong,” Merriman said.

Currently, the File Hills First Nations Police Service is Saskatchewan’s only First Nations police force.

Leaders at the James Smith Cree Nation called for more First Nations policing in the aftermath of a mass killing in that community in 2022. First Nations policing has also been supported by Rhonda Blackmore, commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP.