REGINA — Indigenous-led public safety initiatives are the focus of $1.4 million in funding announced by various levels of government Friday.
Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc; Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Paul Merriman; and Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte, of the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), announced the support for the implementation of effective and culturally appropriate police services for PAGC member communities.
"Our government is working collaboratively with the Prince Albert Grand Council to put in place policing services which are responsive to their particular realities and today's announcement is in keeping with the collaborative approach which has guided us throughout our discussions," LeBlanc said.
In October 2022, PAGC and the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan announced the creation of the PAGC Public Safety Implementation Team to advance work on Indigenous-led public safety initiatives. The findings of this work helped design and determine the costs for a feasibility study under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP).
"This contribution agreement is a key milestone in our partnership with the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, aiming to advance culturally sensitive policing across our communities," Hardlotte said.
"[This support] will allow us to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study. Our goal is to ensure that our public safety strategies are effective and truly reflective of the unique values of Prince Albert Grand Council's member First Nations."
The allocation will enable PAGC to move to the next step of the feasibility study by conducting community safety needs analysis through engagement sessions with all PAGC communities.
