The Thompson Rural RCMP detachment has engaged in traditional sweat lodge ceremonies as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen ties with Indigenous communities in Manitoba.
Initiatives such as these are part of a broader, formal D Division Reconciliation Story, which has been under development through provincial consultations with Indigenous leaders and elders since November 2018.
Sweat lodge ceremonies are centuries-old First Nations practices intended to help participants connect with nature and the Creator. These traditions were banned in Canada under the Indian Act from 1925 until 1951. In the Thompson area, officers have regularly participated in ceremonies hosted by Cree Elder Mervin McKay, who teaches members about Indigenous traditions to help them better understand the process of reconciliation.
These cultural initiatives come in the context of historical tensions within the community, including past incidents that led to public concern and criminal charges against officers. The detachment is also working alongside Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents 26 First Nations in Northern Manitoba, to improve health and public safety protocols. The Thompson Indigenous Accord (originally signed in 2009 as the Thompson Aboriginal Accord) continues to provide a framework for this ongoing collaboration between local organizations and the police force.
