September 30 marked the first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Saskatchewan RCMP officers and employees showed their support by participating in community events; taking the time to learn about and acknowledge the RCMP's history with Indigenous Peoples and its role in the residential school system; and by taking the Saskatchewan RCMP Pledge of Reconciliation.
The pledge, outlined below, invited officers and employees to get involved in the Reconciliation process by committing to:
- Learning more about Indigenous Peoples and issues.
- Continuing to look forward to positive change for the situation with Indigenous Peoples.
- Finding ways to address the Indigenous-related myths and misconceptions with my fellow Canadians.
- Not perpetuating stereotypes in my conversations or observations.
- Encouraging others around me to keep Reconciliation an ongoing effort.
- Reading the 94 Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
- Reading the 231 Calls for Justice in the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
- Acknowledging the role the RCMP played, and the pain the RCMP caused, in removing children from their families and delivering them to a harmful and colonial school system.
- Actively encouraging the ongoing support of National Indigenous Peoples Day every June 21st and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th for myself, my family and my community.
In addition to taking the Pledge, officers and employees from across the province took part in ceremonies and events in their communities in the spirit of connecting with and supporting the people and communities they serve.
Various RCMP Detachments were invited and participated in Truth and Reconciliation awareness walks within their communities, many having the opportunity to lead the grand entries, carry and raise Reconciliation flags and banners, and spoke about RCMP Reconciliation efforts. Other detachments had the opportunity to attend community-led ceremonies.
The Meadow Lake RCMP Detachment participated in a local Pow Wow, wearing orange t-shirts designed by local clothing designers. Prince Albert Detachment hosted their own Truth and Reconciliation event, inviting students from schools in their area to attend the detachment to paint their sidewalks with orange handprints and share what Truth and Reconciliation means to them. Earlier in the month, Carlyle Detachment officers were invited by Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation to join in raising a Tipi in recognition of Truth and Reconciliation at a local school.
S/Sgt. Brian J. Kelly of Saskatchewan RCMP Indigenous Policing Services, had the opportunity to speak at the PAGC Every Child Matters event in Prince Albert. He began his speech by acknowledging the past:
"We gather here today to honor the survivors and children impacted by residential schools. As many of you know the RCMP was part of this dark chapter in Canadian history.
The legacy of residential schools is not just part of our past but remains part of our present. We cannot dismiss the role our organization played in removing children from their families and
delivering them to a harmful residential school system.
Acknowledging the tragic and painful history, and ongoing impacts, of residential schools is an essential component of Reconciliation. We have serving employees in the RCMP who were forced to attend residential schools themselves, and many more with family members who are survivors."
He spoke to the present:
"I come from an Indigenous family and some of my relatives were forced to go to residential schools and day schools, so these events resonate deeply with me. At times I feel overwhelmed when I consider all the work that needs to be done but I am encouraged when I read about the efforts of my fellow co-workers. Recently, children were invited from First Nations in the PA area to paint the side walks orange at our Prince Albert RCMP Detachment. Eagle feathers and smudge kits are being distributed to our Detachments. Non-Indigenous RCMP members have been adopted into Indigenous families. Videos are being shared of non-indigenous RCMP members jigging at winter festivals and dancing Pow Wows. Recently, the RCMP Commander of Assiniboia RCMP Detachment was asked by the Lakota First Nation to ride a paint horse while in Red Serge and to carry a star blanket to honour their people in one of the longest standing rodeos in Canada."
He finished his speech by addressing the future:
"I truly sense there has been a shift in policing, government and society where Indigenous and non-Indigenous people have begun to recognize what Reconciliation is and how important it is for everyone. Working together is key for a brighter future and I believe it's happening."
The Saskatchewan RCMP is committed to taking every opportunity to learn, to build on our relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities, and to continue our efforts towards Reconciliation.