Moe says Saskatchewan gov’t wants to discuss Indigenous police forces

Calls for more Indigenous police services have been heard by the Saskatchewan government.

During a conversation with Gormley on Monday, Premier Scott Moe said his government is listening to leaders of the James Smith Cree Nation, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and other First Nations groups across the province.

“There is an ask for Indigenous policing, File Hills being the example to where we would look as it has been largely successful,” Moe said, referring to the File Hills First Nations Police Service. “As well, (there have been calls for) some additional funding and awareness around addictions and addiction centres in the province.

“Both of these topics are conversations that the provincial government very much wants to participate (in) with not only our Indigenous communities but all Saskatchewan residents and, yes, the federal government.”

Calls for more tribal police services intensified last week after nine people were killed on the James Smith Cree Nation on Sept. 4. A 10th person was killed in the nearby community of Weldon.

One of the suspects in the rampage, Damien Sanderson, was found dead on the James Smith Cree Nation on Sept. 5. The other suspect, Damien’s brother Myles, died Wednesday after being captured by the RCMP following a four-day manhunt.

Moe was among those who gathered on the James Smith Cree Nation on Thursday to mourn the victims and provide solace to their families.

“The No. 1 issue that we’re working on is supporting those families, supporting community members in both James Smith and Weldon, and really supporting our friends and neighbours through what has been a very senseless and tragic occurrence,” Moe said. “Victims Services has obviously been deployed. The federal government to their credit has worked closely with (the Prince Albert Grand Council) and the Saskatchewan Health Authority in deploying mental health supports into the community and any other supports that are necessary.

“That’s our priority one in the here and now, but we very much want to participate in a discussion with Indigenous leadership — and other leadership around the province as well — to co-ordinate reactive, responsive, community-based policing in many cases but also ensure that we are providing the police and the addictions resources that are needed across the province.”

Moe noted the provincial government can possibly take steps to assist law enforcement agencies in the province when similar instances occur. He pointed to the Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team, which is tasked with capturing people who are wanted on warrants.

A warrant was issued for Myles Sanderson in May because he was unlawfully at large.

“That might be an area where we need to really advance and enhance and quickly get that operation up and operating at a 100 per cent level and maybe even look at expanding it in the future to ensure that the folks that need to be incarcerated are, and those that are going through rehabilitation and whatnot are able to do that as well,” Moe said.

“We’ll work closely with Indigenous leadership, local leadership and the federal government to co-ordinate and enhance and augment some of what we have today, which is the RCMP over much of the province. But we have a duty to enhance the safety which the residents of this province are feeling.”