International association honours RCMP officer

For the first time ever, a Canadian has been recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Superintendent Shirley Cuillierrier, an Aboriginal employee with more than 25 years of distinguished service in the RCMP, was named Indian Country Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for 2007.
Cuillierrier was project leader in the implementation of a co-ordinated police response to the National Day of Action by Aboriginal groups on June 29, an event the RCMP viewed as a possible threat to the safety of the public and the police. Under her leadership, the RCMP forged a relationship with Aboriginal organizations, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Sûreté du Québec and individuals, making her teamwork approach a critical component in the peaceful outcome of the event.
"I looked at the mandate and realized we had to invite other policing agencies to the table. It needed to be a nationally-coordinated effort and we formed a national steering committee. With the RCMP, and the two provincial policing services, we had the whole country involved," Cuillierrier said. "The people needed to be assured of their rights to a peaceful demonstration."
Because of all the planning and the open dialogue with the police, the levels of government and the Aboriginal communities, she believes that the day was a huge success.
"We didn't want the tragedies of the past to be repeated. We looked back to Oka, Ipperwash and Gustafson Lake to ensure that a similar situation wouldn't happen."
Cuillierrier is from Kanesatake herself, and sees that the community is still reeling from the residue of Oka 17 years ago. "It will take another generation before the healing can be complete," she said.
The shared history of Aboriginal people and the RCMP goes back to 1873 when the force was formed to protect Aboriginal communities from marauders to the south. Without this support, the ability to provide effective policing services to some areas of Canada would not have been possible.
Cuillierrier brought in Elders to talk with representatives from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) about land claims issues, which is what the National Day of Action had originally been organized to address. "But over the months before June 29, the goal broadened to include the bigger picture of narrowing the gap on poverty and other conditions that are negatively affecting the Aboriginal communities throughout the country," she said.
It seems like there is a renewed interest and sensitivity amongst Canadians to begin to understand the root causes of the challenges facing Aboriginal people. An example cited by Cuillierrier would be then-INAC minister Jim Prentice announcing a land claims commission just before the National Day of Action.
"Politicians and bureaucrats seemed to be listening," she said.
Her 25 years in policing have included 14 years in Atlantic Canada where she worked in drug enforcement and the general investigations section. Eleven years ago, she moved to Ottawa where she was assigned to the prime minister's detail when Jean Chrétien held the position.
"More recently I've enjoyed the commission of being in charge of national Aboriginal policing services, which is quite an honour. I felt that it was an opportunity to really make a difference through my work," said the mother of two. "I feel very strongly about mentoring younger people and every day I talk to youth about joining the RCMP."
Cuillierrier wants to share her acquired knowledge with young people and show them that every individual can contribute to the broader perspective, whether they join a police service or not.
"We need Aboriginal people making a better world in every walk of life and in every occupation," she said. Currently about 1,000 RCMP employees are Aboriginal.
Cuillierrier realizes that learning is a life-long experience and plans to continue to add to her knowledge throughout her RCMP career. She believes that her experience will take her to new challenges not possible earlier in her career and she has no immediate plans to retire. Besides the rewarding work she has done, her career has allowed her to travel the country and the world as she learned about other policing organizations.
"Even though Native people have sometimes been on the front page over confrontations, we still have so much to be proud of and I encourage everyone to consider a career in policing," she said. "Having our men and women on the front line makes a difference in someone's life every minute of every day."
RCMP Commissioner William Elliot, to whom Cuillierrier presented a braid of sweetgrass during the award ceremony, stated that the recognition by the international association was a real honour for the RCMP.
"To see one of our own singled out this way highlights the impact that one individual can make on the safety and security of our communities. We are very proud of Supt. Cuillierrier," he said.