KCA Hosts Learning Conference for Treaty #3 Community Patrollers

Ogimaawabiitong (Kenora Chiefs Advisory) and the Kenora Makwa Patrol are honoured to have gathered with Community Patrollers, KCA staff, a local self-defence expert and the Treaty Three Police Service to learn together on how to better support our communities and community members.

The Kenora Makwa Patrol and KCA hosted a two-day conference in Winnipeg on March 27^th and 28^th, bringing together Community Patrollers from seven of our communities on best practices to lead patrols, handle mental health crises, collaborate with law enforcement, administer naloxone, and more.

KCA’s Community Patrols operate similarly to the Kenora Makwa Patrol in seven of our communities, including Wabaseemoong, Wauzhushk Onigum, Grassy Narrows, Niisaachewan, Shoal Lake #40 and Northwest Angle #33 First Nation.

First beginning operations in 2022, the Community Patrollers work to bridge gaps in a culturally safe manner with one-on-one support, and are there for their communities, to listen, help, and increase safety in a non-judgmental and supportive way.

“The Community Patroller Program is a community driven initiative to promote safety and wellbeing of our communities, similar to the Kenora Makwa Patrol,” explained KCA’s Director of Community Health and Social Services, Veronica Fobister.

“This training focused on the patrollers’ roles within the community, continued partnerships with police, and other community resources. The training helped to showcase all of the positive impacts this program has had on these communities,” she adds.

The two-day conference was hosted by KCA’s Cultural Coordinator Reno Cameron and guided by Elder Gwen Redsky of Shoal Lake #40 First Nation, and included presentations from KCA staff, Kenora’s David White, and the Treaty Three Police Service.

Community Patrollers were also awarded Certificates of Completion for joining us at the Conference and were able to win a number of gifts and giveaways throughout the two-day event at the Best Western Premier Hotel.

Ogimaawabiitong sends a huge Miigwetch to everyone who came out to learn at the conference and all of our Community Patrollers for helping to keep our community members safe. We also send a huge Miigwetch to Sergeant Carl Bryant, Elder Gwen Redsky, David White, Veronica Fobister, Serena Kenny, Reno Cameron, Patrice Seymour for sharing their knowledge with us.