Siksika Nation to police its own land, newest First Nation police service in 14 years

By Alejandro Melgar, The Canadian Press

The Alberta government signed a deal with Siksika Nation to see them have a First Nations police service, a first in Canada in 14 years.

This follows the $1.3 million historic settlement with the federal government earlier this year to compensate Siksika Nation for outstanding land claims.

A memorandum of understanding for a First Nations police service was signed by the province and Siksika Nation in July of this year, and a deal was finalized on Sept. 22.

This deal would see Siksika Nation, which is about 130 kilometres east of Calgary, take over the policing duties from the Alberta RCMP.

Siksika Nation, one of the largest geographic footprints of any First Nation in Canada, had its own police service under a 10-year agreement with the federal and provincial governments from 1992 to 2002. The organization wasn’t renewed due to a lack of funding.

Chief Ouray Crowfoot of Sikisika Nation said in a statement how important a First Nations police service will be to protect First Nations, largely speaking of the deadly stabbing rampage in James Smith Cree Nation.

“The recent tragic events in Saskatchewan have underscored the importance of First Nations policing. Every individual has the inherent right to safety and security, and establishing a Siksika administered police force will help secure this right,” Crowfoot said. “This announcement is a huge step toward obtaining a Siksika administered police force.”

Crowfoot says the First Nation is developing a prosecutor’s office, calling it the “first of its kind in Canada.” He adds that the partnerships made him “proud to represent Siksika” and proud to call himself “an Albertan and a Canadian.”

James Smith Cree Nation Chief Wally Burns has called for community policing after the stabbing rampage in his community and the nearby village of Weldon left 11 people dead, including a suspect, along with 18 injured.

Burns also said the response time after the attacks were too late. The RCMP has said it took 35 minutes for officers dispatched from Melfort, Sask., to arrive at the first scene 45 kilometres away.


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Although long response times have been an issue for the First Nation, Crowfoot said in an interview that having their own police service will also deter crime and foster a greater sense of community.

“Not seeing the police as an enemy, not seeing the police as them, but seeing the police as one of us — I know that Siksika is going to be a safer place,” Crowfoot said.

“It’s not just about getting our policing back, it’s about creating that quality of life.”

He added that since 2018, Siksika’s public safety task force “pushed hard” to get the police service back.

In a statement Friday, the office of the federal minister of public safety said the transition to the self-administered police service for the Siksika Nation is the first in Canada in 14 years.

“Alberta’s government unequivocally supports self-administered First Nations policing,” Shandro said in a statement.

“With nearly 8,000 residents and one of the largest geographic footprints of any First Nation in Canada, the Siksika Nation is ready and prepared to take this critical step and become the fourth self-administered First Nation police service in Alberta.”

The Alberta government proposed a provincial police force to help rural communities. The province has also set up a government grant for First Nations to set up a police service.


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Shandro’s office said if the proposed plan happens, the province would work with First Nations and municipalities to make sure local police services have more resources.

The province says they are going to work with Siksika Nation to press the federal government on an operational timeline and to negotiate a transition agreement.

-With files from Taylor Braat

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