Indigenous Reconciliation
Calgary Police Service Indigenous Reconciliation
Calgary is in traditional Blackfoot territory and the history of the people in this place goes back thousands of years before European settlement.
There have been very dark periods in the relationship between police and Indigenous people over the past centuries and it is important for us to pursue reconciliation with the original people of southern Alberta.
This includes the Blackfoot Confederacy of the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani Nations; as well as the Tsuu T’ina Nation; the Iyarhe Nakota people of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Wesley Nations; and the Metis Nation of Alberta who also shares a deep connection to this land.
Reconciliation roadmap
In early 2018, our leaders in consultation with local Elders recognized the need for a strategy to help our Service implement the recommendations of several important documents:
- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
- The City of Calgary White Goose Flying Report
- The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
In November 2019, members from across our Service hosted a day of talking circles with Elders, Indigenous community leaders and other stakeholders to identify gaps that need to be addressed to meet the recommendations.
An internal committee of 26 people has also been formed to help implement the changes that are needed.
Our progress
The overall strategy is still under development and we will have more consultation with the community when public health restrictions allow. However, we have taken the following steps in the meantime:
Recognizing Calgary’s roots:
We have included Indigenous ceremonial practices into our special occasions, in consultation with and under the supervision of local Elders. Smudges and Elder attendance are now part of every new recruit graduation and an honour song has been gifted to us to play at these ceremonies. Elders are also routinely invited to open formal events with a blessing.
Creating a sacred space:
We have created a sacred space at our Westwinds Campus to allow for smudging before meetings or investigative interviews where it is appropriate.
Participating in Indigenous Court:
Calgary Indigenous Court provide a culturally relevant, restorative, and holistic system of justice for Indigenous individuals, including offenders, victims and the community harmed by an offender’s actions.
Our Team
The Indigenous Relations Team at the Calgary Police Service (CPS) was specifically created to increase trust with the Indigenous community while maintaining and continuing to build a nation-to-nation relationship through focused policing services and actions.
The Indigenous Relations Team works to improve communication and community relationships with all Indigenous peoples in Calgary. The team also works with several different organizations and programs to promote education and awareness towards current and long-standing concerns within the community.
As part of the Anti-Racism Strategic Roadmap, the Indigenous Relations Team is helping to strengthen Indigenous world view approaches to working areas across the CPS.
The CPS has launched Indigenous Education and Training, which is required for all our members to take. The training includes 16 modules that reflect the history of Indigenous people and the police, residential schools and the history with the RCMP, the Sixties Scoop, and why this still matters to law enforcement today.
Through the Anti-Racism Strategic Roadmap, we are investing in an Indigenous Investigator for the Missing Persons Unit. To help guide the position profile, we are working with our partners to ensure it suits the needs of the community.
Contact us
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions for the team working on our reconciliation roadmap, we want to hear from you.