The UCCM Anishnaabe Police is in pursuit of sustainable funding to continue its Lighting the Fire Within initiative, which targets intimate partner violence within the six First Nations on Manitoulin Island and the surrounding area under its jurisdiction. Taylor Sayers, the director of corporate services for the Indigenous police force, highlighted that the program was crafted to empower law enforcement with the necessary tools and knowledge to better serve communities by integrating cultural teachings, trauma-informed practices, and strategic partnerships to enhance safety.
Police Chief James Killeen emphasized that the five-year initiative, initiated in 2018, focused on establishing early intervention protocols to address domestic situations. By utilizing data on domestic violence calls, Killeen elaborated that the police focused on addressing non-criminal issues to devise potential solutions before conflicts escalated into criminal incidents.
During a news conference in Toronto, Killeen mentioned that the project’s proposal aimed to provide individuals involved in verbal arguments with tools and alternatives to address underlying issues before they escalated into violent criminal episodes. The conference brought together various police services to share the outcomes of the initiative.
Killeen explained that the program provides counseling for individuals with substance abuse and anger issues to address these issues proactively before they escalate. Additionally, police training incorporates cultural teachings from Indigenous elders, trauma-informed policing techniques, and specific strategies for managing domestic violence without resorting to criminal charges.
Moreover, the Lighting the Fire Within initiative includes a youth sports program where police officers actively participate in school sports to rebuild trust and foster an interest among youth in law enforcement careers. Sayers emphasized that officers engage with youth to educate them on healthy relationships, both in schools and within communities.
The ultimate goal of the project is to reduce domestic violence rates through training, education, and direct support programs to bring about lasting change in policing. Killeen stressed the importance of gaining community trust and highlighted the need for significant changes in policing approaches to prevent tragic incidents related to domestic violence.
Sayers revealed that while the initiative initially received funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada, the funding has ceased, prompting the police force to seek ongoing support from provincial and federal governments. The UCCM Police is currently in negotiations to renew its funding agreement with both levels of government, which covers wages and funding for the First Nation and Inuit policing program.
Killeen advocated for the establishment of a permanent funding model for the Lighting the Fire Within program, citing its positive impacts on the community and the police service. He emphasized the need to continue the success of the initiative to combat intimate partner violence effectively.