The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations’ Special Investigation Unit is getting continued provincial government funding. $88,000 is being invested this year.
The Unit was created in 2001 to provide Indigenous Peoples an avenue to report law enforcement misconduct, which is then impartially investigated.
“The FSIN’s Special Investigations Unit is a tremendous asset for our First Nations as it provides a compassionate, culturally-sensitive service to First Nations people and allows access to due process when our people feel aggrieved by justice system actors,” FSIN Second Vice Chief Edward Dutch Lerat said. “The unit was derived from the inquiry into the death of Neil Stonechild, where we saw a commitment from the Saskatchewan Government to support our efforts to address systemic racism experienced by our people.”
The SIU receives and follows up on public complaints by Indigenous citizens regarding allegations of police misconduct and forwards them to the Saskatchewan Public Complaints Commission and the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC). The Unit also provides complainants with support as they move through the process.
“This collaboration has ensured that complaints are taken seriously and investigated impartially,” said Justice Minister Bronwyn Eyre.