She’s been on the job for a year and Christie Pace is still adjusting to her role with the Edmonton Police Service.

“I was hired as the Indigenous Relations Advisor to advocate and consult with the indigenous community to identify opportunities for the EPS to work towards truth and reconciliation… However, I think what I do a lot of is empower our members to learn more,” said Pace.

Prior to joining EPS, Pace worked at the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society for 24 years. She started as a volunteer and worked her way up to manager of the Practise [sic] as Ceremony Cultural Support Services program.

“That position really took me into the world of bringing that knowledge and awareness of the culture to other organizations and agencies that wanted that knowledge.”

Pace also worked as a liaison with the EPS for close to 10 years and sat on the Chief’s advisory council which gave her insight into how the Service operates.

“My perception of the EPS was, ‘this is an organization that just needs more knowledge, more awareness, more teachings.’”

Pace, who is Métis, says “not everybody” in her community supported her decision to join the EPS, but adds the criticism has subsided.

“I really saw an opportunity to take that work a step further working for EPS and trying to see if I had a larger reach in the work that we could do.”

Pace says the job is challenging and describes her role as more supportive and encouraging to members who want to learn more about Indigenous culture, practices, and issues.

“I want members to know that there's a long history of intergenerational trauma. However, there's also a longer history of a beautiful culture and way of living previous to that. I think sometimes we forget about that beautiful history… I think I want them to know that I am here to support that learning and to support them.”