By Andrea Nicholl
Violent crime is taking hold of surrounding First Nation communities, but the violence won’t deter those in Onion Lake from feeling safe and secure.
The issue of crime on First Nation reserves was exposed on Jan. 20 after a news conference, held by Moosomin Chief Daniel Blackstar, shamed RCMP communication efforts, and revealed the threat of violent crime and gang wars in aboriginal communities. The Chief and band council said violent crime has become so threatening and heinous in Moosomin First Nation that residents are afraid to leave their homes after dusk.
Sgt. Cliff Joanis, detachment commander of Onion Lake RCMP, confirms violent crime has escalated within the aboriginal community, though communication, policing and safety have remained adequate and, unlike those in Moosomin, band members are not cowering indoors.
“Violence has gone up, we’ve had three murders within the last year and a shooting, but I can’t say people are hiding inside,” said Joanis. “A lot of it’s gang related, not necessarily related to the community but to the surrounding communities. We get a lot of drug trade from Edmonton, Lloydminster and from the accompanying First Nation, Frog Lake.”
Onion Lake, located 50 kilometres north of Lloydminster, has a population of 5,000 people and is policed by eight RCMP members (running two members short).
Joanis says open communication between band members and council, cooperation with The Onion Lake Peace Keepers and strong relations with the Lloydminster RCMP will continue to strengthen policing efforts and community safety in the First Nation.
He attributes the increased violence to the reserve’s location, gangs and substance abuse issues, but says the community shouldn’t live in fear, and should take a stand, work together and reduce crime in their neighbourhoods.
“Unfortunately with a community this size and us being understaffed, we’re very much reactive as opposed to proactive,” said Joanis. “We need community support and information from the community - they are the most important part of preventing crime.”