Safe transport for Siksika Nation members
By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A new town policy will ensure Siksika Nation members released by Strathmore RCMP have a safe option to return home.
Under this policy, nation members being released from RCMP custody in inclement weather or facing safety concerns will be offered transportation to the Siksika Shelter in Siksika Nation. The policy was developed by a subcommittee composed of Strathmore and Siksika representatives, town administration and Sgt. Jay Salmon, Strathmore RCMP acting detachment commander.
On April 7, Strathmore town council approved this new policy unanimously, in a 6-0 vote, with Mayor Pat Fule not in attendance. Siksika Nation Chief and Council approved the policy on April 8.
The move is a tangible outcome of the tripartite memorandum of understanding signed between the Town of Strathmore, Strathmore RCMP and Siksika Nation in November 2020. The agreement was developed for each member party to work together in the spirit of trust and reconciliation.
Providing nation members a safe transportation option will help them avoid the danger of walking or hitchhiking along highways from town, explained Siksika Nation Councillor Reuben Breaker, who spoke at the town’s meeting. Highway 817 is particularly dangerous for pedestrians, because it is narrow, he said.
It was once customary to provide released prisoners a ride home when other transportation was not available, but this practice has been discouraged or prohibited due to liability concerns, said Councillor Bob Sobol, a former peace officer.
“The problem, however, remains and our joint responsibility that we do what we can to prevent injury or death to a person released from custody is important and is the right thing to do,” said Sobol.
Strathmore RCMP will be responsible for deciding when the program is available to a person being released from custody. But it will be up to the released person whether to take up the offer. The policy is specific to situations where there is extremely cold or inclement weather, or if there are special circumstances where transportation is warranted, said Sobol.
Both Siksika Nation and the Town of Strathmore will contribute $1,000 per year to the program.
The specifics of how the service is used will be reviewed going forward.
“We will have up to date (figures) on how the system is working,” said Sobol. “We’re going to be keeping a very close eye on it.”
Negotiation will take place with a Strathmore-based taxi service to determine a flat rate to provide transportation from Strathmore to the Siksika Shelter, with town administration selecting the company.