Today, the Edmonton Police Service's (EPS) Diversion & Desistance Branch (D&D Branch) unveiled a new art installation in the presence of Papaschase First Nation Chief Calvin Bruneau and his delegates, celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day on the summer solstice. 

In attendance to honour and observe the unveiling were sworn and civilian members from across the Community Safety & Well Being Bureau and the Recruit Training Unit.

"It's a long time coming," said Detective Shane Faulkner. "We're not only celebrating a First Nation that exists within our city limits, but this is just one more step forward in the Service's journey towards reconciliation, fostering understanding and collaboration between law enforcement agencies and Indigenous communities."

For any other onlooker, the impressive installation of the Pileated Woodpecker in the D&D Branch is another striking piece of art.

But the four-foot-by-seven-foot graffiti mural tells a new story that celebrates, welcomes, and expands Indigenous culture into the EPS space and signifies some of the proactive steps the Service is taking to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Papaschase and Indigenous community. 

"The actual piece of artwork is a woodpecker, and a woodpecker is the translation for Papaschase," explained Acting Inspector Paul Looker of the D&D Branch. 

Located on the second floor of police headquarters, adjacent to the GROW mural installed a year ago, the piece of art was completed by Jordan "Jordoh" Ernst, a Metis Graffiti Artist of Cree (Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation) and German descent.

"They want to know the truth. They want to know the history. They want to know our place in the history here in Edmonton," said Chief Bruneau. "But this is new, and this is just makes me feel honoured, you know, that we're acknowledged. This is for us; it's great because it gives us some form of recognition and acknowledgement."

At the heart of this transformative work, to build trust, empathy, and a brighter future lies the recognition of past injustices and a commitment to understanding and respecting diverse cultural perspectives while also helping to create an environment where healing and growth can flourish.

"A lot of our clients that we work alongside have lost track of their culture and community," said A/Insp. Looker. "This is a way to reconnect them to the right people and start learning about their history, culture, and community and get them back integrated into their communities."

By working side by side, EPS and Papaschase First Nation are breaking down barriers and forging meaningful connections that foster a sense of belonging and shared responsibility.

"Within the branch, we do a lot of work with Bent Arrow and Indigenous Groups to assist our clients. It is important that we continue those relationships to provide the services required for the right people, by the right people," explained A/Insp. Looker.

"I think it's very important for us to be part of this. We have to move forward; we have to work together; we have to work with all of our community. And part of the reconciliation allows us to work with the Indigenous community to form those relationships, form those bonds and prevent these kinds of things from happening again."