A man who spent nearly four decades in Indigenous politics, including four terms as Grand Chief of the Prince Albert Albert Grand Council, passed away Monday night.
Ron Michel was 69. According to a statement from the Prince Albert Grand Council Executive, Michel was a leader whom many respected, admired and appreciated, and will be greatly missed.
“On behalf of the Prince Albert Grand Council’s Senators, Chiefs, Women’s Commission, Elders, and staff, we offer our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and community members who are in mourning and reflecting on the life of a great leader,” the statement said.
The Prince Albert Police Service have released their 2020 crime statistics. The police service said overall they responded to 45,301 calls in 2020. Police said this was an increase of just over 11 per cent from last year. According to police much of the increase in call volume can be attributed to proactive neighborhood strengthening […]
Information on the roll-out and enforcement of Prince Albert’s controversial alley curfew bylaw is expected at city council in March.
Prince Albert Police Chief Jon Bergen was unable to provide the number of tickets, if any, that have been issued under the now seven-month-old bylaw when asked by reporters on Monday, but explained the service was in the process of compiling that information.
“I’ve actually called for a review internally to get the observations from our supervisors to see what… compliance has been with the back lane bylaw, and what our response has been,” he said.
Prince Albert city council passed the measure aimed at combatting property crime in June, despite opposition from critics who said it could contribute to racial profiling. At the request of one of the curfew’s most powerful opponents – Prince Albert Grand Council – city councillors also agreed to revisit the bylaw after six months.
P.A. mayor talks Stonechild retirement, and diversity at city
Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne agrees with the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) about the importance of having Indigenous people in leadership position with the police service.
The mayor added he believes it is important to have Indigenous people present in areas across the City of P.A.
“In all areas, I won’t just restrict it to the police service,” he said.
Dionne added he was happy to see Tony Head, a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, recently elected to council in ward three.
When the retirement of Deputy Police Chief Jason Stonechild was made public the PAGC put out a media release which spoke about how the tribal council believes it is important to have Indigenous people in roles like the one Stonechild was in. Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte later told MBC News he was “saddened,” to hear about Stonechild’s retirement.
Just days after news that Jason Stonechild has resigned from the Prince Albert Police Service, the discussion now turns to who will replace him. A number of voices from Prince Albert’s Indigenous community are calling on the city to make a considered and responsible choice.
In a statement provided to the media, PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said it will be difficult to replace someone who has spent his entire career with this police service and cultivated such deep ties to the people and community of Prince Albert.
“He has served as a key liaison in strengthening our relationship with the PAPS, and we can only hope that the next person in charge will be able to understand the complex issues facing our Indigenous people with the same level of compassion, understanding, and respect,” Hardlotte said.