Siksika Nation Chief Ouray Crowfoot

By Chris Brown

Siksika Nation to take over policing from RCMP

Sep 23, 2022 | 10:44 AM

SIKSIKA NATION, AB – The Siksika Nation has reached a deal with the provincial and federal governments to take over policing responsibilities on the First Nation from the RCMP.

In July, the Siksika Nation and the Alberta government began working to establish a self-administered police service for the First Nation.

The province announced today that Siksika Nation Chief Ouray Crowfoot and Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Tyler Shandro have reached a deal with federal Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino.

The release from the province says Siksika Nation, located about 210 kilometres west of Medicine Hat, and provincial government will work together to demand a clear operational timeline and negotiate a transition agreement with the Government of Canada.

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“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,” says Siksika Nation Chief Ouray Crowfoot.

He adds that Siksika has also established a bylaw prosecutor and is developing a prosecutor office.

“Siksika police and prosecutor services are foundational building blocks for a safe Siksika. It’s these kinds of partnerships that make me proud to represent Siksika and call myself an Albertan and a Canadian,” he says.

Shandro says the province unequivocally supports self-administered First Nations policing and this will be the fourth self-administered First Nation police service in Alberta.

In July, when negotiations began Crowfoot said it’s critical that the First Nation has its own force. He said that 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.

Crowfoot said in the past couple of years Siksika 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.