June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day for people across Canada to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people.
Since 2006, the Delta Police Department (DPD) has provided policing services to Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN), in the form of a non-uniformed liaison officer, who has built relationships in the community and acted as a conduit between DPD and TFN, among other responsibilities.
In 2018, in response to the growth at TFN and the needs of the community, the DPD partnered with TFN further and created the Tsawwassen First Nation Service Team (TFNST).
The TFNST is a uniformed team, dedicated to TFN Lands, responsible for responding to calls for service, conducting proactive policing and outreach in the community, in a culturally safe way. I’m fortunate to have been a member of this team since its inception.
Since 2018, the DPD and TFN have been working together to build this unique policing model, based on relationship building, collaboration, and trust.
The DPD regularly collaborates with TFN’s services and the community, to address reasons for traditionally negative interactions with police.
The DPD and TFN use a Community Justice Team, which includes the liaison, a dedicated probation officer, a dedicated crown counsel and a TFN outreach worker, to blend the traditional justice methods of Indigenous communities and western justice methods. This model has proven comprehensive and effective at reducing recidivism and encouraging reconnection and healing.
Despite the historical relationship between police and Indigenous people, defined by colonialism, racism bias and discrimination, TFN has welcomed our team and made us feel part of the community. When our team isn’t responding to calls, we can be found at the Youth Centre, engaging with the youth; at the Elders’ Centre, sharing a meal and learning from the Elders; visiting members in their homes to ensure they’re cared for; or at one of the many community and cultural events.
On June 21, I will be celebrating the Indigenous people, particularly the people of Tsawwassen First Nation. I will be celebrating their understanding, their many talents, their generosity, their love, and their friendship.
