The City of Saskatoon says Indigenous Support Teams are now operating in the community as part of an interim Indigenous Peacekeepers pilot project aimed at improving safety and connecting vulnerable residents with services.
Beginning this week, teams of two will patrol the Downtown Business Improvement District, Riversdale Business Improvement District and the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood.
The workers will wear high-visibility vests and carry City identification while providing outreach and support.
The teams will conduct wellness checks, help people access community resources, transport individuals to support services and report criminal activity to the appropriate agencies when necessary.
The initiative was developed after discussions between the City and the Saskatoon Tribal Council on a broader Indigenous Peacekeepers program were paused. City administration instead partnered with the Corps of Commissionaires to establish an interim pilot due to what it described as an urgent need for additional community supports.
Team members have received training in first aid, CPR, naloxone administration, trauma-informed practices, conflict resolution and available community services.
The City says patrol areas and shift schedules will be guided by incident and call data from Saskatoon Police Service, Saskatoon Fire Department and Commissionaires reports, with adjustments made as community needs change.
Officials say the teams will also collect data on wellness checks, emergency responses, service referrals and public safety concerns as the pilot project moves forward.