Millions invested in improving safety in Mi’gmaq communities

FREDERICTON (GNB) - The government is investing $3.6 million over three years to improve community safety in eight Mi'gmaq communities.

The Mi'gmaq Peacekeeping Initiative trains community safety officers from Mi'gmaq communities to focus on early intervention, deterrence, de-escalation, relationship‐building and collaborative development of safety processes and protocols. The initiative is an alternative to enforcement‐based approaches to community safety.

"Community safety is a government priority, and it has to be approached from several angles," said Public Safety Minister Kris Austin. "One of those angles is preventing problems. A strong relationship with policing bodies and community services can address issues before they require more serious intervention."

Standardized approaches for early intervention and de‐escalation services are meant to result in more effective relationships with local police and lower incarceration rates among Indigenous Peoples.

"This is a first step in having our communities exercise self-determination over justice in our communities," said Chief George Ginnish of Natoaganeg (Eel Ground) First Nation. "The peacekeepers program is already seeing results in our communities. We hope the province will see how funding programs like this will benefit our communities and the justice system as a whole."

The following communities are involved: Tijpogtotjg (Buctouche), Ugpi'ganjig (Eel River Bar), Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church), Amlamgog (Fort Folly), L'nui Menkiuk (Indian Island), Metepenagiag (Red Bank), Natoaganeg (Eel Ground) and Oinpegitjoig (Pabineau).

Peacekeeper duties include:

• Conducting community outreach, assisting in mediating low-level conflicts, referring high-level conflicts, and referring high-need residents for support services, including case management, employment and mental health services.

• Responding to or referring conflict-related calls; maintaining a constant community presence by conducting patrols, wellness checks and daily outreach to people involved in conflicts, their families and friends, and high-risk people.

• Sharing information about services and resources and working to ensure community acceptance and support of the initiative; intervening as necessary during crises and obtaining appropriate resources to manage potentially volatile situations.

• Responding to emergency situations.

"I am encouraged by the dedication of the eight Mi'gmaq Nations that are mobilizing these peacekeepers for the betterment of their communities," said Indigenous Affairs Minister Réjean Savoie. "Our support, financial or otherwise, for the Mi'gmaq Peacekeeping Initiative is an important part of advancing reconciliation, and I wish all involved nothing but success."

The initiative was created by eight Mi'gmaq communities and establishes unarmed peacekeepers as first responders addressing issues related to mental health, addiction, generational trauma, gender-based violence and colonial legacies, with an emphasis on early intervention, deterrence and de-escalation.

30-07-24

Media Contact(s)

Allan Dearing, communications, Department of Justice and Public Safety, [email protected].