In my experiences over the years of working with the Saskatoon Police Service as well as with the aboriginal advisory committee with the RCMP, and in my experiences in working with the Saskatchewan RCMP and having met with Commissioner Brenda Lucki and having similar discussions with her, I have heard about various incidents involving the relationship between the RCMP and municipal services and communities. That's why I advocate and support community policing.
When I say “community policing”, I'm meaning that the RCMP is invested in the communities and that the Saskatoon Police Service or other municipalities' services are invested in the communities, that the elders and the leadership in the communities are invested in the communities. The best way to overcome hardships or difficult situations in dealing with circumstances such as you laid out is using the circle, coming together and building the community, talking to each other and going through the process.
My friends over the years, and the police officers with whom I formed relationships—they're indigenous people and non-indigenous people—say the same thing when they enter our communities and work with our communities. The best way for us to solve these issues together is.... Yes, we need the resources and the support, but we must still be engaged in discussions together to tackle the criminal activity that is going on.