FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. (CKOM Staff)

By paNOW Staff

Public safety

FSIN calls on feds, policing partners to help curb tragedies on Indigenous communities

Sep 8, 2021 | 6:00 AM

Avoidable and preventable tragedies.

That’s how the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) described recent events in Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan.

This was all from a release by the FSIN on Tuesday afternoon, asking for “collaborative, strategic planning from all community policing partners.”

The losses have been vast, according to the FSIN’s release. It said these tragedies — located on the Beardy’s, Ochapowace, Flying Dust and George Gordon First Nations, among others — have been connected to drug and alcohol abuse, addictions, mental health and a lack of “proactive care and attention” from those with the authority and capacity to address the issues.

“Lives were lost due to the lack of strategic planning and action on behalf of the Government and the RCMP. All of these deaths were connected to drug and alcohol abuse and with proper action, they could have been prevented,” FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said in the release.

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Cameron said FSIN leadership learned that James Smith Cree Nation community members notified the RCMP about the risks of 33-year-old Shawn Moostoos — who allegedly killed two in the community Sunday — along with other drug dealers in the community.

The FSIN is claiming the RCMP did not investigate these risks. 650 CKOM has reached out to the RCMP for comment on the matter but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

“Many of our communities’ leaders have also implemented Band Council Resolutions (BCR’s) to banish drug dealers from their communities, but the RCMP refuses to enforce them. Our people work with the RCMP, but the RCMP refuses to work with us. RCMP inaction is a problem across the province,” Cameron continued in Tuesday’s release.

“What will it take to get the RCMP to take our concerns seriously and protect our family members? These victims lost their lives, this tragedy and many others are impacting our people and our communities, this all occurred on your watch. We demand action now; drug dealers and destructive activity that harm our First Nations are not welcome in our communities.”

The FSIN said the federal government and the RCMP have legal responsibilities stemming from both the Truth and Reconciliation report and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls reports.

Response from RCMP

The following emailed statement was provided by Saskatchewan RCMP in response to the comments made by the FSIN:

“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the families of those who have lost loved ones. Our officers see the harm trafficking illegal drugs causes and we remain focused on investigating and charging those involved. Our officers are committed to fostering strong relationships in the communities we serve. We will continue to work with our partner agencies to reduce harm in the communities we all call home.”

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

— with files from Brady Lang, CKOM Staff