By Bryan Eneas

Police relations with First Nations progressing in P.A.

Aug 15, 2016 | 5:12 PM

After a shooting in Biggar which left a First Nations man dead, the incident highlighted racial tensions across the province, including pressure between police and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. 

But some locals say the relationship in P.A. is a positive one.

Kevin Abraham, the drum carrier for the Rez Boys used his time incarcerated in the Stoney Mountain Penitentiary educating himself about the justice system in Canada.

“I started doing anti-gang presentations with the Canadian Police College as well as corrections,” Abraham said. “I shared my story with them about what I went through growing up in the streets of Winnipeg about the working relationship between police officers and First Nations youth.”

Abraham educates officers of the law in traditional and cultural differences between First Nations and non-First Nations people. One example he uses is eye-contact. According to Abraham, some officers didn’t understand a lack of eye contact is not disrespectful to a First Nation.

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“In our culture, the First Nations, for us when we’re growing up, it’s a sign of disrespect to look someone in the eye when you’re talking with them. It was kind of backwards in that sense, he’s showing you respect,” Abraham explained.

Abraham said a better relationship comes down to education and communication between First Nations and police.

In Prince Albert, police relations with First Nations are changing according to Deputy Chief Jeff Rowden.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes in the 22 years I’ve been a police officer here. Some for the good, some for the not, but I’ve also seen a lot that has stayed the same,” Rowden said. “I think under (Chief Troy Cooper) we’re doing good things. We’re starting to become more involved in the community as opposed to (only) putting people in jail.”

According to Rowden, members of the Prince Albert police force do take cultural programming to help officers communicate and interact with the First Nations community.

“I thought when I finished my school before I became a police officer that my training was done. It had just started. We train right up until we retire,” Rowden said.

Julie Naytowhow, the First Nations liaison with the Prince Albert Police is in charge of the cultural programming for the department. She said she is looking into getting elders from within the Prince Albert community to aide with counselling for victims services and officers alike.

Because of shift scheduling, not every officer can attend guest speaker visits, according to Naytowhow.

“That’s why I always say I have an open door policy. If they need to be connected to an elder, or anybody who would do (cultural) teachings, Dakota, Dene, or Cree,” Naytowhow said. “I know a few people in the surrounding reserves, so I always try to make that connection.”

With 39.6 per cent of the local population identifying as First Nations so does 37 per cent of the Prince Albert Police Service.

Naytowhow said for her, the relationship is about each side learning from one another. She said the existing relationship between police and First Nations in P.A. is a good one.

“Like any other relationship it needs work. Everything needs work. I’m very confident that things will be good,” Naytowhow said.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @BryanEneas