Prince Albert Indigenous group looks into self-administered policing | 24CA News
Leaders from the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) and its member nations not too long ago returned from Chinle, Ariz., to be taught in regards to the practices of the Navajo Tribal Police.
The go to was really useful in PAGC’s 2019 report of First Nations policing to search out options to challenges nations face in northern Saskatchewan.
“They said the communication part, in terms of speaking the language, when communicating certainly helps the Navajo Nation,” mentioned Joseph Tsannie, Vice Chief with PAGC. “When they are policing their communities, it is that connection piece that we are looking for too.”
In a media launch, Navajo Police Chief Daryl Noon mentioned the go to was mutually useful.
“It was an honour to meet with the PAGC leaders and to reacquaint with our distant Dene relatives of whom we refer to as ‘the Other Entity’ in our Navajo language. Since the late 1800s we have established our own policing system, and we have experienced the unique challenges that come with it. We are proud to serve our community and help other Indigenous communities develop their own policing systems that aligns with their own cultural values and priorities,” mentioned Chief Noon.
The Navajo Nation are a part of the Dene neighborhood, which is why PAGC took a visit south of the border as a substitute of visiting a distinct nation in Canada.
“We have Dene communities within the province, and they have been doing the self-administered policing at the Navajo Nation for 400,000 plus members within the Nation and they were in partnership with the state and the federal government.”
The Navajo Nation’s police drive is the one tribal police drive within the United States that trains its personal officers. They even have emergency administration officers, particular forces, and emergency medical companies beneath the umbrella of Navajo public security parts.
Along with the general public security and police departments, the detention centre, and judicial courts are on the identical property.
“That model is very attractive to our communities,” mentioned Tsannie. “We talk about jurisdiction, and we talk about reconciliation. Why not give the opportunity to build our capacity to keep our community safe.”
PAGC mentioned it needs to create new coaching packages that align with the neighborhood.
“We need to start thinking about the people that are out there. We have a lot of young students who are graduating school and looking for opportunities,” mentioned Tsannie.
Twenty-eight First Nations in Saskatchewan are going to be assessed for self-administered policing starting May 1 and will likely be monitored for the subsequent two years.
Tsannie mentioned within the meantime, PAGC will proceed to construct relationships with the provincial and federal authorities.
“It’s exciting, it’s challenging, and it’s new territory. We are paving the way for a lot of First Nations,” Tsannie mentioned.
PAGC leaders toured the Navajo Police Department, Navajo Department of Corrections, Navajo Judicial District courtroom, and the Navajo Police Training Academy.
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