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Indigenous peacekeeping program celebrated at White Bear

White Bear First Nations - Six Indigenous Peacekeeping students were honoured at a recent ceremony held at White Bear First Nations.
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From left to right: Staff Sgt. Phil Harrison, Carlyle RCMP; Gloria Stevenson, Southeast Regional College; Claudia Joyea, White Bear; Susan Jolly-Maxie, Instructor; Justin St. John, White Bear; Renita Paul, White Bear; Daniel Maxie, White Bear; Chip Taypotat, Cowessess; Trent Kakakeway, White Bear; Staff Sgt. Gord Stewart, Broadview RCMP. Absent, Irene McArthur, Post-Secondary Coordinator, White Bear; Jim Pratt, Instructor, SIAST.Submitted

White Bear First Nations - Six Indigenous Peacekeeping students were honoured at a recent ceremony held at White Bear First Nations. The training program, which began in January 2012, was the first of its kind to be hosted at White Bear in partnership with Southeast Regional College and SIAST.

"Southeast Regional College is very excited and honoured to be a part of this program," said Southeast Regional College's Vice-President of Academics, Dr. NJ Baker. "I hope we all remember celebrating this day as our first of many Indigenous Peacekeeping graduations."

Josh Kakakeway was the Master of Ceremonies for the event, which featured remarks from instructor Susan Jolly-Maxie and students Trent Kakakeway, Dan Maxie, Justin St. John, Chip Taypotat, Renita Paul, and Claudia Joyea. Carlyle RCMP Staff Sgt. Phil Harrison and Broadview RCMP Staff Sgt. Gord Stewart were also in attendance and offered congratulations to the students. Members from the Carlyle and Broadview RCMP had been involved in the program by facilitating the ride along practical experience.

Indigenous peacekeeping is a form of governance that works in partnership with the RCMP, but is designed to reflect local culture and create a sense of safer First Nations communities. Accredited Indigenous Peacekeeping training originated in2009 when the Saskatchewan Chiefs directed the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) to negotiate training opportunities for Indigenous Peacekeeping services. A pilot project followed in 2010 through a partnership with the First Nations University of Canada, SIAST, and FSIN. Today's graduation marked the first time that Indigenous Peacekeeping has ever been accredited in Saskatchewan.

Totalling twenty-five weeks, the Indigenous Peacekeeping program covered nineteen separate courses, including four experience practicums under the supervision of peacekeepers and RCMP officers. In addition to the Indigenous Peacekeeping certificate, students receive security guard, search and rescue, suicide prevention, and CPR/First Aid certificates. Graduates of the program are qualified to work in all areas of First Nations justice including Peacekeeping, Healing Lodges, Corrections, Probations, Re-integration and Youth Justice.