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Mushuau Innu First Nation welcomes new safety officers

by pnationtalk on May 17, 2019362 Views

Eight community members graduate from community safety training course

May 17, 2019 — Slemon Park, Traditional Mi’kmaq Territory, Prince Edward Island — Indigenous Services Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the health and safety of First Nation communities.

Today, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, joins Chief John Nui of Mushuau Innu First Nation and Forrest Spencer, Executive Director, Atlantic Policing Academy, to congratulate Mushuau Innu First Nation on the graduation of eight of its members as community safety officers from Holland College’s Atlantic Police Academy.

The five-week course trained students in de-escalation, communications skills and use of closed circuit TV. Students also focused on how to respond to non-criminal issues.

The course is part of Mushuau Innu First Nation’s new Community Safety Program. This program, launched in November 2018, was developed to help with the community’s ongoing safety issues, including vandalism to community infrastructure.

The eight graduates will start working as community safety officers in Natuashish at the end of May 2019. Their duties will include patrolling the community to identify safety concerns and helping ensure the safety of community members and critical infrastructure.

Quotes

“Congratulations to the Mushuau Innu community safety graduates, their families and the community of Natuashish. The work you do promoting safety and security in your community is vital and we are so proud to support you as you take on this task.”

The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

“This program is a totally different experience for me, it gives me a whole different perspective of the world. The staff here at the Atlantic Police Academy are very welcoming and friendly. We are learning techniques to use in the future when we get back to our hometown. I am taking this program to learn more about how to handle a situation, help people…. I’m also looking forward to contributing my time to my community as a Community Safety Officer and attempting to prevent any out of the ordinary incidents.”

Aaron Piwas
Graduate & Mushuau Innu First Nation Community Safety Officer

“We are extremely pleased to have our community members take part in this professional training program at the Atlantic Police Academy. Community safety and security are paramount considerations for Natuashish and we have selected the Atlantic Police Academy as best meeting the specific goals and objectives that we had set for the program, which was specifically designed with the academy and with Indigenous Services Canada. We are looking forward to the successful conclusion of the program and to having our candidates participate effectively in this important community endeavour. This is an important milestone for MIFN.”

Chief John Nui
Mushuau Innu First Nation

“We developed this training program specifically to address the ongoing challenges the officers will face in their community. The students will focus on communication skills and participate in realistic scenarios, similar to what they may experience when they return home.”

Forrest Spencer
Executive Director, Atlantic Police Academy
Holland College

Quick facts

  • Mushuau Innu First Nation is located on the northeastern coast of Labrador. The community has a registered population of approximately 1060 members.
  • Indigenous Services Canada provided $800,000 toward the design and implementation of the Mushuau Community Safety Program.
  • The Mushuau Community Safety Program is not affiliated with nor endorsed by a policing organization. However the Labrador District RCMP has provided advice and support throughout the initiative.
  • Established in 1971, the Atlantic Police Academy is located in Slemon Park, Prince Edward Island, and offers in-service training as well as five full-time programs: Basic Firefighting, Conservation Enforcement, Correctional Officer, Police Science (Cadet), and Sheriff and Public Safety Officer. For more information about programs at the Atlantic Police Academy, visit hollandcollege.com/apa.

Associated links

Contacts

For more information, media may contact:

Kevin Deagle
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan
Minister of Indigenous Services
873-354-0987

Media Relations
Indigenous Services Canada
819-953-1160
SAC.media.ISC@canada.ca

NT5

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