Saskatoon City Council has given the official green light to a groundbreaking pilot program that will deploy Indigenous peacekeepers in the city's downtown core. The decision, made during budget deliberations, authorizes a one-year pilot project focused on providing culturally-sensitive support to the homeless population.
A New Approach to Downtown Safety
The initiative represents a significant shift from traditional enforcement methods. City administration specifically recommended this approach as an alternative to what they described as an enforcement approach
to downtown issues. The program will see Indigenous peacekeepers patrolling designated areas of the downtown business improvement districts.
The discussion around implementing peacekeepers emerged from the success of the Saskatoon Tribal Council's existing Sawēyihtotān program. This program already employs support workers who connect vulnerable residents with essential services including housing, medical care, and addiction treatment.
Council Debate and Tribal Council Response
STC Chief Mark Arcand became a central figure in the budget deliberations after a controversial motion from Councillor Troy Davies moved him to the front of the 30-person speaker lineup. Councillors Robert Pearce, Randy Donauer, and Bev Dubois voted against this procedural motion.
If you're going to talk about the Saskatoon Tribal Council, don't talk about us, talk with us,
Arcand told council members, emphasizing the importance of direct consultation. He specifically requested to be present in the room during discussions about the program.
While expressing interest in the concept, Councillor Pearce raised concerns about liability protection, questioning what would happen if peacekeepers were injured while on duty. The city solicitor clarified that all city contracts with service providers include specific insurance terms to address such scenarios.
Training and Challenges Faced by Workers
Chief Arcand confirmed that the Tribal Council maintains liability insurance and provided insight into the realities faced by support workers. We're dealing with people that are in psychosis,
he explained, noting that workers regularly face both physical and verbal assaults ranging from minor incidents to serious confrontations.
The support workers receive comprehensive training to handle these challenging situations. This includes de-escalation training from the Saskatoon Police Service and naloxone administration training to respond to opioid overdoses.
Arcand revealed that one of their most effective de-escalation techniques has been the traditional practice of offering tobacco. This approach helps build trust with individuals who typically distrust authoritative systems and institutions.
The Tribal Council leader also expressed his concern for the mental health of his staff, noting that he wished they had paramedics on our side, just because the workers are becoming traumatized from watching people die.
This poignant statement highlighted the emotional toll the work takes on those providing frontline support to Saskatoon's most vulnerable residents.
