Saskatchewan RCMP make recommendations following inquests into James Smith Cree Nation deaths
After a series of inquests into the deaths of individuals from the James Smith Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, the RCMP has released a list of recommendations aimed at improving relations between the police and Indigenous communities.
The inquests, which were held between 2017 and 2020, examined the deaths of six individuals from the James Smith Cree Nation. The deaths were all deemed to be non-criminal, but the inquests revealed a number of issues and concerns surrounding the interactions between the RCMP and Indigenous people.
In response, the RCMP has put forth 10 recommendations, which include improving cultural competency training for officers, increasing the number of Indigenous officers, and implementing a community-based policing model.
According to Assistant Commissioner Mark Fisher, the commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP, these recommendations are a step towards building trust and understanding between the police and Indigenous communities.
“We recognize that there is a need for change and we are committed to working with our partners to address these issues,” Fisher said in a statement.
The recommendations have been welcomed by the James Smith Cree Nation, with Chief Wally Burns stating that they are a positive step towards improving relations between the community and the RCMP.
“We are hopeful that these recommendations will lead to meaningful and lasting change within the RCMP and ultimately result in better outcomes for our community members,” Burns said.
The recommendations also received support from the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), with Chief Bobby Cameron stating that they are a “good start” towards addressing systemic issues within the RCMP.
“We need to see these recommendations implemented and we need to see them implemented now,” Cameron said.
The RCMP has committed to working with the James Smith Cree Nation and other Indigenous communities to implement these recommendations and improve relations between the police and Indigenous people.
The full list of recommendations can be found on the Saskatchewan RCMP website.
