Indigenous Community Relations

The Regina Police Service continues to develop and maintain communication with the Indigenous community in the city and Treaty 4 area. The relationship between the community and the Service is significant in expanding trust and addressing community safety. This is essential to reconciliation.

We learn and grow by participating in events and learning from our community Elders. Members of the Service, both sworn and civilian, take part in annual events including: Orange Shirt Day, North Central Smudge Walk, First Nations University of Canada Spring Pow Wow, National Indigenous Peoples Day and the Regina Police Service Round Dance.

The Regina Police Service Round Dance started in 2007 and continues today. Prior to that the Service hosted a community feast when we acquired the RPS Tipi in 1997.

Another teaching RPS members have received is that of our eagle staff. In 2005, Elder Mike Pinay gifted the Service with our own eagle staff.

Acquiring an understanding of Indigenous culture, history, traditions and ceremony is important in maintaining and building on the relationship the Service has with the community. Mandatory training for all RPS members is held every two years. These include traditional teachings from members of our Elders Advisory Council, legitimacy and case law training, understanding of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, urbanization and Indigenous youth today, and the history of colonization. Most importantly members are receiving teachings from our Elders by participating and being helpers during pipe ceremonies, servers during feasts, and ceremonial fire keepers.

Expanding trust is essential to reconciliation and education is a key component to that.

 

“Education has gotten us into this mess, and education will get us out”.

-Hon. Senator Murray Sinclair