“SIRT's investigation will examine the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the male's death,” the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team said in a statement. (650 CKOM file photo)

Sask. police watchdog agency to investigate RCMP response on Onion Lake Cree Nation

By CKOM News Mar 23, 2026 | 9:58 AM

The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) will examine the conduct of RCMP officers during an incident on Wednesday on Onion Lake Cree Nation that left a 42-year-old man dead.

According to the Saskatchewan RCMP, officers got a report about a woman being forcibly confined at a rural home at around 8:20 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Officers set up a perimeter around the home on the Cree nation, northwest of North Battleford.

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The home was west of the Alberta border, police noted, but the location was within the jurisdiction of the Saskatchewan RCMP.

“The adult female was able to exit the residence,” the Mounties said in a statement.

“RCMP crisis negotiators communicated with the man and requested he exit the residence safely. At approximately 3:20 p.m., officers entered the residence. The adult male was located inside with injuries and officers provided initial medical assistance.”

Police said the man was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. He was not identified by police or SIRT, but the RCMP said his family has been notified of the death. Both the RCMP and SIRT confirmed three firearms, including a rifle with a spent shell casing in the chamber, were recovered from the incident scene and have been secured as exhibits for both the SIRT and RCMP investigations.

The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team – a provincial agency that investigates cases “when someone dies or is seriously injured while in police custody or as a result of a police officer’s actions,” as well as cases of sexual assault or interpersonal violence involving police officers – is now investigating the death.

According to a statement issued by the agency on Monday, the victim was the former domestic partner of the woman who was allegedly being confined.

SIRT also noted that the RCMP deployed tear gas inside the home during its efforts to get the man to leave.

The Mounties said there was “no indication” that any officer fired a gun during the standoff, and directed any questions on the case to the oversight agency.

“SIRT’s investigation will examine the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the male’s death. The RCMP will maintain responsibility for the investigation of the original complaint as well as the male’s actions during the incident,” the watchdog agency said in a statement.
“No further information will be released at this time. A final report will be issued to the public within 90 days of the investigation ending.”