Article content“That’s the style our people use for Indigenous policing because they understand the families and other communities.” Article contentSpeaking of the closeness Unama’ki (Cape Breton) First Nations have with each other, Denny said: “We know each other because we’re all tied in some way or the other.’ Article content“It makes a huge difference. If you put a strange officer in there, you’re going to have a lot of problems and people will get freaked out and scream or yell.” Article contentArticle contentHIGH PROFILE CASESArticle contentDenny said that’s been the problem in several high-profile cases elsewhere in the country where Indigenous people have been shot by police. Article content“Those people should have been still alive today,” Denny said. Article content“They were harmless people – innocent, harmless people looking for mental health help. They got shot, you know, and my fire chief could have been shot as well. That’s what we’re dealing with here. We’re dealing with our lives.” Article contentArticle contentDenny, who has served for 16 years as chief of the largest Mi’kmaw community in Canada put forth a stirring argument for autonomous policing within all Indigenous communities. Article contentHe brought several recommendations for the committee to consider. Above all, he asserted several times that Indigenous communities need some sort of self-administered policing within their own communities. Article content First Nation communities on Unama’ki sometimes have a challenging time dealing with the RCMP, the agency tasked with policing as part of a trilateral agreement with government. Above, land protectors have a heated discussion with RCMP officers on Hunter’s Mountain recently. A House of Commons committee is looking into ways First Nation policing can be improved and heard recently from Easkasoni Chief Leroy Denny. Photo by Aaron Beswick /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentINDIGENOUS POLICE OFFICERSArticle contentPresently, Eskasoni and most Nova Scotian Indigenous communities operate under a trilateral system and structure called Community Tripartite Agreements (CTAs). A contingent of RCMP officers provides services along with the community’s leadership. There are 17 officers assigned to Eskasoni, and only one or two speak Mi’kmaq. Article contentAs well as first language-speakers and more funding, Denny said the government should focus on recruitment and retention of Indigenous police officers; better availability to the training of Indigenous recruits at RCMP Depot Division in Regina; more comprehensive cultural training for non-Indigenous; RCMP training tailored to the way Indigenous learn; more opportunities for Indigenous to move up through the ranks; and greater involvement by First Nation communities in the selection of RCMP candidates. Article contentArticle contentDenny said there should be training that helps others understand Indigenous cultures and the role intergenerational trauma plays in behaviours. Article contentHe said it’s all based on colonial structures – Canadian style – and that has proven not to work in the country’s respective Indigenous communities. Article contentDenny said he prefers a “hybrid” style of policing that would include the best of all options and provide a more sensitive approach to meeting with people. Article contentHe said Eskasoni has one of the highest school graduation rates and has doctors, teachers, nurses etc. who are Mi’kmaq-speakers. Article content“Why not the police?” he asked. “What’s the problem? Why aren’t Indigenous people getting into policing? Let’s get to the bottom of this and make it work.” Article contentHe said his community has had enough. Article content“We want to be part of the solution. We want action,” he said. Article content“We’re dealing with many issues today,” he said and mentioned mental health issues as well as cannabis use among young people.
‘Our people are getting shot’; Eskasoni chief speaks to Ottawa about policing
