Pukatawagan Detachment

Contact Information:
Box 134
Pukatawagan, MB
R0B 1G0
Ph: (204) 553-2342
Fax: (204) 553-2199

Location:
Pukatawagan is home to the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (MCCN), located approximately 170 kilometres west of Thompson and approximately 30 kilometres east of the Saskatchewan border. The community of Pukatawagan is isolated with no road access (except for a few months in the winter) and can be accessed via train and plane.

Local Population:
The population of MCCN is approximately 2,500 people. There are another 1,950 people in Pukatawagan.

RCMP Detachment:
The detachment has one sergeant, one corporal and five constables. There are four Band Constables who are currently undergoing a mentorship process with local RCMP members. The detachment is equipped with three trucks, two ATVs, one boat, and two snow machines.

Community-based problem solving:

Often, groups are already in place to deal with ongoing concerns or community projects. The following details what community challenges are being addressed by the members of the RCMP in partnership with their community. The major working groups include:

Child and Family Services: This organization is located on the First Nation community of Pukatawagan and responds to the needs of its residents locally, though The Pas CFS oversees their activities. Members of this unit work closely with caseworkers and counsellors when dealing with cases of child sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, and attempted suicide.

Aboriginal Healing Foundation Steering Committee: This committee is comprised of personnel from the following agencies: MCCN Health Authority, Wellness Centre, Sacred Heart Church, Eagle Nest Camp, Mamawhetowin Crisis Centre, Saskastew School, MCCN Health Board, RCMP and community members. Members of these agencies have formed a steering committee to address the issues arising from physical and sexual abuse of elders and adults that attended residential schools. The participating member attends meetings and assists in the development of proposal submissions with items such as the provision of multi-year crime statistics. The committee is currently working towards community-based programs to reach those people in crisis.

Domestic Violence Workshops: This group is comprised of Probation Services Pukatawagan and The Pas, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (MCCN) Nihithaw Justice Committee, Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NADAP), RCMP and Child and Family Services (CFS). This group meets once per month to address the training needs of those personnel on the front line who deal with domestic abuse issues on a regular basis.

Youth Suicide Interdiction: This group is comprised of the Pukatawagan Fire Department, Child and Family Services, Saskastew School, RCMP, Nikawiy Nursing Station, and the Pukatawagan Radio Station. RCMP members present suicide workshops in Saskastew School for students 11 years and up and their attendance is mandatory.

Youth Initiative: In speaking with the youth, the recurring theme was that there was nothing for them to do except roam the streets “looking for action”. The members liaised with the Saskastew School, Chief and Council, Recreation Committee, Junior Chief and Council, and other partners outside of the Pukatawagan area.

Some of the following proposals have commenced or are in the process of being implemented:

• Art Contest
• Pizza Nights
• Fight Low Attendance in School
• Mental Wellness Hour

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Restorative and alternative justice:

Nationwide, members of the RCMP are involved in alternative justice processes, whether volunteering as facilitators or sitting on steering committees. Each community may embrace a different form of restorative justice, be it community justice forums, circle sentencing, or mediation.

Nihithaw Justice Committee: The Nihithaw Justice Committee is located in Pukatawagan and has been used as a model for other Justice Committees in the province. The committee consists of seven members who work closely with detachment members and provincial court. As a detachment, members are encouraged to refer a variety of matters to the justice committee based on the severity of the charge, wishes of the complainant/victim, and the public interest. All breaches of undertaking without a substantive charge are referred to the committee unless aggravating circumstances exist. The Nihithaw Justice Committee also holds sentencing circles in the Provincial Court, complete with the Smudging of the Drum, and traditional singing aboriginal drummers.

Mediation: The detachment is involved in providing a number of alternatives to the formal court process. One alternative involves discussions between the offending party and the victim. At times, parties involved in the dispute are brought to the detachment and discussions are mediated. This process, outside of the justice committee referrals, takes place on a weekly basis and is an effective way of diffusing tensions between parties.

Sentencing Circles: The Nihithaw Justice Committee conducts sentencing circles with RCMP members present. These are formal sentencing circles conducted in public where all can attend to see the traditional justice process.

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Crime Prevention:

Members of the RCMP are involved with a number of programs designed to prevent crime in our communities through both indirect and direct intervention. From school talks to youth initiatives and community safety plans, the goal of crime prevention programs is to target the roots of potential criminal and social problems. Members of the RCMP are involved in the following initiatives:

Drug Education, Prevention and Enforcement: Detachment members have taken a proactive role in educating youth about the negative effects of drug and alcohol consumption. In conjunction with the Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NADAP), Nikawiy Health Authority, the “D” Division drug awareness office, and Saskastew School, RCMP members have given presentations and workshops about drug awareness and addiction.

Pukatawagan Patrol: Comprised of members of the Justice Committee, Health Authority, Child & Family Services (CFS) and Youth Council. The group of approximately eight people augment the detachment resources by being visible and reporting unusual or criminal activity to the detachment members.

Police-community relations:

Without a solid base upon which to work, the police cannot hope to build the necessary partnerships with the community to prevent crime and to solve community problems. Members of the RCMP strive to build those bridges by appreciating the needs of the communities in which they work and live. Their commitment to the community goes beyond simple participation as residents, but also as active members of the community. Members of the RCMP are involved in the following initiatives:

• Red Serge Duty
• Youth Drop In Centre
• Youth Initiative

Quality service through strategic partnerships:

The community also benefits directly and indirectly from strategic partnerships that he RCMP forms with other law enforcement and governmental agencies as well as with as with other community groups. Several unique associations have been formed:

• Chief and Council
• Probation Services
• Nikawiy Health Authority
• Pukatawagan Fire Department
• Mamawhetowin Crisis Shelter
• Department of Manitoba Conservation
• Child and Family Services
• Justice Committee