The nation's Chief and Council said there's a lack of confidence that a recent homicide investigation will be treated seriously enough by the RCMP. (Red Pheasant Cree Nation)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Lack of confidence

Red Pheasant says RCMP acted too late in homicide investigation

Mar 10, 2022 | 2:09 PM

Red Pheasant Cree Nation is calling for the RCMP to have a more proactive approach to dealings within the community following the discovery of a suspected homicide earlier in the week.

Chief Clint Wuttunee and Red Pheasant Council said in a statement, distributed by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), that they are “saddened by the tragic loss of a young man from our community,” also noting the trauma to the family and community. The release went on to say that “proactive involvement by RCMP could have prevented this unnecessary death,” and that despite previous pleas for earlier involvement to assist in relation to gang and drug violence, “the RCMP become involved when it is too late.”

“RCMP involvement in our community is always reactive in nature,” it said. “We are unable to rely on the assistance from the RCMP as a positive resource to help keep our community safe.”

“This is a systemic issue that is not an issue isolated to Red Pheasant.”

Major Crimes Unit began investigating the death a deceased 21-year-old male this week after his body was found on a roadway in the Cree Nation on Sunday. Reportedly there was an argument at a residence where the man had then left after being fatally injured. The incident is still under investigation and an increased police presence in the community continues.

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Red Pheasant council also took issue with the victim’s body being visible for several hours, which they said traumatized many children and families unnecessarily. They added that this wouldn’t have occurred off-reserve.

“We understand an investigation into the death has been commenced by RCMP, but for our community and our leadership there is a lack of confidence that the investigation will be treated as seriously as investigations that take place outside of our community,” the release said.

Additionally Red Pheasant Council said that they have a “willingness to build a relationship with RCMP to better serve our community.”

Red Pheasant instructed the Health Clinic to provide a debriefing, which occurred the day following the incident, and have said that counseling services and supports will remain ongoing. The Health Clinic has four mental health resources and members are encouraged to contact the Health Clinic if they need support or services.

battlefordsNOW has reached out to the RCMP for a response and to Chief Wuttonee and Red Pheasant Cree Nation for further comment.

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