Justice Minister and Solicitor General Tyler Shandro and Siksika Nation Chief Ouray Crowfoot sign a memorandum of understanding on safety and public security for members of the Siksika Nation. (Image Courtesy Government of Alberta)

By Chris Brown

Province, Siksika Nation will work together to establish police force

Jul 18, 2022 | 12:23 PM

SIKSIKA NATION, AB – The provincial government and Siksika Nation have signed an agreement to work toward establishing a self-administered police force in the community.

Chief Ouray Crowfoot says it’s critical that the nation has its own force. Siksika Nation, 210 kilometres west of Medicine Hat, is currently serviced by the Gleichen RCMP detachment. Ouray said relations have improved in the past few years but even the best relationship is not the same as the nation having its own force.

“We’ve had people this year that passed away from domestic violence and the ambulance could not find their house, the police could not find their house because they might not have Elm Street. It might have map four, house 15,” he said at a news conference Monday morning announcing a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

“Well, our security knows where that is. The RCMP detachment might not know where that’s at. So those critical minutes to save that life is the difference between going to the ambulance and going to the morgue. And our people have been going to the morgue a lot more than they should be.”

Ouray said having its own police force on the nation would not only reduce response times and save lives, it would also be a deterrent to criminals and criminal activity. He said a safe Siksika Nation is safer for surrounding communities and makes for a safer Alberta.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat woman takes to the street to raise awareness for homeless

5h ago

HEALTH CARE

'World AIDS Day' recognizes stigma, those still affected by disease

9h ago

GALLERY

Medicine Hat's Diwali event, in photos

Nov 25, 2024

Ouray said in the past couple of years the nation has added peace officers and security, which has helped. But with such a large population and land mass – by area it’s the second-largest First Nation in Canada – they need more.

“We make up as First Nations people a small percentage of Canada yet look at the high percentage of missing and murdered, look at the high percentage of overdose and all these other, the negative statistics. A lot of those go because of inadequate training, inadequate policing, especially on a large land base.”

Provincial Justice Minister and Solicitor General Tyler Shandro said Siksika Nation has done a feasibility study and conducted further research into establishing its own police force. Shandro said the province wants to be partners in making sure that’s possible for them and they are successful.

“The more connected law enforcement can be to its community, the better,” said Shandro.

Ouray added Siksika Nation is simply looking for an equitable and mutually beneficial agreement.

“We’re not freeloaders here, we’re not asking for a free ride. We’re funding it ourselves,” he said. “So we’re just asking for co-operation from Alberta and cooperation from the federal government to keep our people safe.”

Ouray and Shandro hope the MOU pushes the federal government to unfreeze the First Nations Inuit Policing Program. Ottawa froze the program more than two years ago to conduct a review.

The Siksika Nation had its own police service from 1992 to 2002, but agreement between Siksika and the provincial and federal government wasn’t renewed due to a lack of funding.