RCMP and Indigenous youth join forces to address issues in their community

It’s an example of reconciliation in action at RCMP Depot.

Fourteen Indigenous high school students from across the country spent the week paired up with an officer from their respective communities for the RCMP Youth Leadership Workshop.

Together, they worked on forming an action plan to address a youth crime or victimization issue in their community while learning from one another, forming bonds and leaving with newfound respect.

Isaih Daniels, 15, is from the One Arrow First Nation and grew up in Prince Albert. He said he had a rough past with police, viewing officers as the “bad guys” and never wanting to be around them.

Some of the students who signed up have stood out as leaders while others, like Daniels, want to change directions in their lives.

“I wanted to see what it was like to be on the other side. I just wanted to restart and put my life on the right track and see what it was like to be a good kid,” said Daniels.

The high school student who is currently in Grade 10 in Swift Current was paired up with 17-year veteran RCMP constable Tony Curti, a school resource officer at Swift Current Comprehensive High School.

Their new relationship started on the drive to Regina.

“He’s got a thousand stories and I heard all thousand on the way up here. I learned a lot about his family. Some of it’s good, some of it’s bad but he’s a very, very, pretty cool kid,” said Curti.

“He’s a pretty nice guy. He talked to me like I was regular person,” said Daniels. “It changed my perspective on a cop and makes me want to come here and learn about cops.”

When Curti first heard about Daniels’ initial feelings toward police officers, he admitted the relationship between police and Indigenous youth needs to be improved.

“There’s a disconnect and I don’t know why that is,” said Curti, who suggested police take a more active role with youth. He also admitted there isn’t enough training on Indigenous culture within the RCMP.

But Curti said events like the RCMP Youth Leadership Workshop — where police and students can sit down and work together to solve problems in their community — help build trust.

“He’s been quite honest and open and frank with me which is really refreshing. Kids will be guarded. They’ll tell you what you want to hear but Isaih has been really good. He tells me exactly how it is. That’s something that’s built over respect and trust,” said Curti.

“I want (police officers) to learn that respect is not given, but earned,” added Daniels.

Through this process, perspectives begin to change. For Daniels, who used to see only a police uniform, he now sees a role model in Curti.

“Without the vest on, (police officers) are regular people underneath. A lot of people don’t get that but I just want to change that and say that cops ain’t bad and you should respect them,” said Daniels.

Once that positive bond formed, the pair were able to take action to improve lives of other Indigenous youth in Swift Current.

Daniels explained that, like in so many communities, drugs are a problem in Swift Current and he’s worried about the toll they can take on mental health in youth.

“I see kids turn to drugs because of their past and what they’re going through,” he said. “Life’s a struggle. Some people turn to drugs and some people turn to suicide.

“I saw (people turn to suicide) because people are too scared to see what’s in the future and they’re too scared to live longer. For me, I want to see old age. I want to see my grandchildren grow up. I want to change their minds too. I want to grow old and make sure that cops ain’t bad people to them anymore,” said Daniels.

Hearing from a youth perspective helps police officers like Curti better understand and respect what young people are really going through. Together, the pair discovered finding the solution to issues needs to begin with mutual respect.

“We can’t just keep on pointing our fingers saying drugs are bad. Kids aren’t going to listen to that, they aren’t going to buy in,” Curti said.

The two game up with the general idea of fostering respect, finding a way for police and youth to engage with each other and maybe out of respect alone, actions will change.

To pass on this lesson of respect, the pair plan to hold community events like paintball, floor hockey or volleyball games to make new connections between police and youth.