The nîsohkamâkewin Council provides advice, guidance, and recommendations to the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) on decisions, situations, matters, and best practices that directly impact Indigenous Peoples. The Edmonton Police Service recognizes the colonial harm experienced by generations of Indigenous Peoples and seeks to continue building strong, respectful, and reciprocal working relationships. It is hoped that better engagement and relationships will result in policing policies and procedures that are more appropriate and responsive to Indigenous Peoples. The following reports will be utilized to guide these recommendations:

• National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
• Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) Broken Trust,
• Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP), and the
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC)

Mission: 

The nîsohkamâkewin Council strives to address the barriers and inequalities in policing that Indigenous peoples regularly face within different systems in Canada. This council also aides the EPS in their ongoing commitment to develop, implement and review policing policies and procedures from an Indigenous perspective and worldview. Moreover, the Council supports EPS sworn and civilian members in the important journey to foster meaningful and respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples, an essential step towards reconciliation. 

Vision: 

The nîsohkamâkewin Council engaged in meaningful dialogue and transformative experiences to strengthen the relationship among Indigenous peoples and the Edmonton Police Service. Additionally, creating intentional space to discuss visions for a better future, share insights of reconciliation, and explore best practices to contribute, based on everyone’s set of abilities, skills, and strengths.

Values: 

The nîsohkamâkewin Council embraces culture, ceremony, and language to direct us as Indigenous peoples. The seven sacred teachings also provide the guiding principles in our collaboration in restoring our cultural beliefs, practices, and values as a council.  

Application Process:

We are no longer recruiting or accepting applications for the nîsohkamâkewin Council as our current Council members have been selected.

Please Meet Our Current Members:

The nîsohkamâkewin Council is an advisory council consisting of community members; whose voices, opinions and experiences will assist in shaping the policies and practices of the EPS.  Throughout past EPS’ engagement initiatives, common themes of transparency and accountability have emerged as fundamental pillars to effective and meaningful change.  Therefore, transparency regarding “who” is advising the EPS is equally as vital as to “what” change the EPS is implementing. 

 Click here for bios of our current members.