Historical events in RCMP-Indigenous relations
The RCMP has a long, sometimes difficult history with Indigenous communities in Canada that dates back some 145 years. As we move towards our 150th anniversary in 2023, we're committed to positive change – which includes renewing our vital relationships with Indigenous peoples. To promote better understanding and respect, we've taken several important steps to:
- strengthen collaboration with Indigenous peoples
- improve community policing and Indigenous recruitment
- move towards healing and Reconciliation
This timeline includes historical events that contributed to our relationship with Indigenous peoples and communities.
- 1874: The North West Mounted Police (NWMP) deploys to Western Canada. It employs Métis as guides and interpreters.
- 1875: The NWMP first employs First Nations and Métis people as "scouts".
- 1877: As one of the two Treaty Commissioners acting for the Crown and the Government of Canada, NWMP Commissioner James Macleod negotiates and signs Treaty No.7.
- 1892: NWMP discontinues the "scout" employee category, excepting several scouts employed as interpreters. It employs First Nations and Métis people as Special Constables.
- 1904: To further recognize the service of the Force for the Crown, King Edward VII proclaims the Force as the Royal North West Mounted Police (RNWMP).
- 1920: The Government of Canada amalgamates the RNWMP and the Dominion Police to become the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
- 1933: The Indian Act legally appoints RCMP officers as "truant officers" to enforce attendance and return truant children to residential schools.
- 1936: The RCMP begins referring to Inuit employees in Arctic detachments as Special Constables, an official rank.
- 1960s: The RCMP begins to expand its role in Indigenous communities beyond law enforcement (e.g., giving school presentations).
- 1973: The RCMP establishes the Native Special Constable Program to recruit more Indigenous members.
- 1989: The RCMP converts Native Special Constables to Regular Member status.
- 1990: The RCMP forms the Commissioner's National Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
- 1990s: The RCMP establishes a dedicated Aboriginal Policing Directorate, the group known today as RCMP-Indigenous Relations Services.
- 1991: The Government of Canada establishes the First Nations Policing Program.
- 1994: The Aboriginal Pre-Cadet Program begins. It allows Indigenous candidates to spend three weeks at Depot to learn policing skills.
- 2003: The RCMP identifies Aboriginal communities as a strategic priority.
- 2004: RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli publicly apologizes for the RCMP's role in the Residential School System.
- 2006: The RCMP creates the Aboriginal Community Constable program. It becomes the Community Constable Program in 2013.
- 2008: The RCMP establishes Métis Community Liaisons in the divisions.
- 2011: The RCMP produces its report "The role of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police during the Indian Residential School system".
- 2012: The RCMP unveils its Aboriginal Policing Ensign.
- 2014: At the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's National Event, Commissioner Bob Paulson apologizes for the RCMP's role in the Residential School system.
- 2014: The RCMP produces the "Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women: A National Operational Overview" and subsequent 2015 update to the National Overview.
- 2017: The Depot curriculum incorporates Indigenous cultural training, the Blanket Exercise.
- 2017: The RCMP unveils the Eagle Feather initiative in Nova Scotia. Shortly after, the feathers are distributed to all 54 detachments in Nova Scotia.
- 2017: The RCMP signs an agreement to return Métis artifacts.
- 2018: Commissioner Brenda Lucki apologizes to the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls at the National Inquiry.
- 2018: The RCMP introduces its Eagle staff.
- 2018: The RCMP officially unveils the first permanent sweat lodge at headquarters in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
- 2019: The RCMP in Manitoba adopts the Eagle Feather initiative.
- 2019: RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki participates in a land transfer ceremony to honour and commemorate the Regina Indian Industrial School cemetery where at least 35 children were buried.
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