FSIN concerned over RCMP response to gun incident

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is raising concerns over the RCMP’s failure to follow up on an incident where an evicted farmer had a gun while trespassing on the Ochapowace First Nation.

The FSIN is demanding an explanation from RCMP after several complaints to the Esterhazy detachment.

It says a farmer who had been evicted from the land due to not paying rent was spotted on the reserve. When Ochapowace staff approached the vehicle, the farmer had an exposed gun within reach inside the vehicle.

Staff retreated rather than risked escalation, according to a FSIN release.

“Our most immediate concern is that the RCMP did not follow up on this serious incident” FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said in a new release. “The staff reported seeing the gun, which was within reach in the farmer’s truck, and did the right thing by calling the RCMP, rather than risk becoming involved in a dangerous situation. The RCMP should have attended the scene immediately. This situation could have escalated and ended in tragedy.”

The RCMP issued a statement, indicating an initial review shows not all investigational steps were followed.

It also says it will work with its members to prevent this from happening in the future.

“We have laws and when those laws aren’t respected, we expect them to be enforced,” FSIN Vice-Chief Heather Bear said in a news release. “We can’t be simply ignored when we report a serious incident that happens on our lands.”

The FSIN and Ochapowace First Nation Chief Margaret Bear will hold a media availability later this week to discuss the incident.

Ochapowace First Nation is about 160 kilometres east of Regina.