Released on June 20, 1996
Three tripartite policing agreements between Canada, Saskatchewan and
Lac La Ronge, Montreal Lake and Mistawasis First Nations were announced
today by Justice Minister John Nilson, Solicitor General Herb Gray,
Chief Harry Cook of Lac La Ronge (Stanley Mission) First Nation, Chief
Henry Naytowhow of the Montreal Lake First Nation and Chief Melvin
Watson of the Mistawasis First Nation.
Under the terms of the agreements, Aboriginal members of the RCMP-First
Nations Community Policing Service (FNCPS) will be dedicated to serving
each of the First Nations communities of Lac La Ronge (Stanley
Mission), Montreal Lake and Mistawasis.
Lac La Ronge First Nation will have three Aboriginal members of the
RCMP-FNCPS serving the residents of the Stanley Mission reserve.
Stanley Mission currently receives policing services from the RCMP La
Ronge detachment.
Montreal Lake First Nation will have two Aboriginal RCMP-FNCPS officers
serving the community full-time. The new police service is an
extension and improvement of the services provided by the RCMP Waskesiu
detachment.
The Mistawasis First Nation will be served by two RCMP-FNCPS officers.
The Mistawasis First Nation currently receives partial police services
from the Ahtakakoop (Sandy Lake) First Nation satellite unit. The
Ahtakakoop Community Tripartite Policing agreement was signed in 1995.
These tripartite agreements provide the people of the Lac La Ronge,
Montreal Lake and Mistawasis First Nations with police services that
are sensitive to their needs and culture.
Elders in the three communities will assist the officers with their
work and Police Management Boards will be established to help set
policing priorities and improve police-community accountability.
"The Saskatchewan government is pleased to be involved in strengthening
police accountability in these three First Nations communities as well
as providing policing services that will be responsive to the
individual and cultural needs of each community," Nilson said.
"Tripartite policing agreements are an example of the federal
government's commitment to work in partnership with provincial
governments and First Nations so that First Nations can assume greater
responsibility and exercise greater control over their communities.
The agreements we are signing today with Lac La Ronge, Montreal Lake
and Mistawasis First Nations demonstrate that commitment," Gray said.
"Lac La Ronge Indian Band is committed to working with other First
Nations governments, as well as federal and provincial governments, on
policing agreements so that we, the First Nations governments, can
assume greater responsibility and greater control over our own
communities," Chief Cook said.
"The policing service is a significant step forward. These First
Nations officers will provide policing services that meet the needs of
our community and are sensitive to our culture. We appreciate all
parties that made this agreement possible," Chief Naytowhow said.
"Mistawasis Indian Band is committed to working with other First
Nations, as well as federal and provincial governments, on policing
agreements so that Mistawasis First Nation will have greater input into
how policing services are delivered to our community," Chief Watson
said.
This brings to 19 the number of RCMP Community Tripartite Agreements
signed under the provisions of the Tripartite Framework Agreement,
which was signed in May, 1993, by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian
Nations, Saskatchewan and Canada.
The federal government will pay 52 per cent and the provincial
government 48 per cent of the cost of establishing and maintaining
these three new policing services.
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For more information, contact:
Lisa Ann Wood Anita Gordon-Murdoch
Saskatchewan Justice Ministry of Solicitor General of Canada
Phone: (306) 787-7872 Phone: (306) 780-7350
Doug McLeod Ed Henderson
Lac La Ronge First Nation Montreal Lake First Nation
Phone: (306) 425-2183 Phone: (306) 663-5306
Chief Melvin Watson
Mistawasis First Nation
Phone: (306) 466-4800
