Prince Albert Grand Council expresses interest in northern Indigenous police force
A strained relationship between northern communities and the national police force is opening discussions between tribal councils about introducing their own law enforcement.
The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and the Saskatoon Tribal Council represent a majority of the Indigenous communities in northern Saskatchewan.
According to PAGC Vice Chief Joseph Tsannie, leaders from all parties have sat down to discuss creating a northern tribal police force in the province.
“We as leaders… in our northern communities, we have solutions as to how we can work with the RCMP to build healthy communities,” Tsannie said. “It seems like every time we come up with solutions or ideas, it seems like there’s legislation, new legislation [needed]… it seems like the justice system is kind of working against our people.”