In a joint statement coming from the offices of the Assembly of First Nations Chief Cindy Woodhouse and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, they share that they have long advocated for police services that reflect community values, cultures, and needs.
To achieve this, the report goes on to say, it’s essential that First Nations have clear jurisdiction and authority over their own policing frameworks, underpinned by equitable funding from both federal and provincial governments. That funding must be sustainable and sufficient, ensuring that First Nations-led police services have the resources they need to deliver a high standard of community policing. In the statement, it goes on to say that Alberta’s government continues to empower local communities to explore or deliver Indigenous-led policing.
Numbers provided say that the province has provided over $22.5 million in funding to support policing for First Nation communities, including $12.2 million for three First nation self-administered police services. The Indigenous and Municipal Police Transition Study Grant has also been provided to a number of Indigenous communities to explore policing options that will best meet their unique needs, including establishing their own self-administered police services. Alberta is currently working with Siksika First Nation and Enoch First Nation to create their own Indigenous police services.
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