Which is what Insp. Derek McIntyre achieved when he took the time to build trust and form relationships with several women in the Indigenous community.
In fact, he was recently honoured for his contributions when the women awarded him a Star Blanket in December.
The blanket given to Insp. McIntyre.
The blanket is an offering to demonstrate the utmost respect for the recipient who is held in high esteem for their generosity and commitment to the Indigenous community.
But to get to this point, it was a long road of relationship building.
Insp. McIntyre’s journey with the Indigenous community began in the fall of 2019, when he attended the Trauma Informed Leadership Series with a colleague who was the Sergeant of the Community Action Team (now the Warrant Apprehension and Diversion Unit Team) at the time.
The CATeam had arranged a pizza luncheon and sharing circle at a local wellness lodge where many Indigenous women attended to share their thoughts on policing.
“We attended the sharing circle and listened to many stories about how the police had become triggers for, and direct contributors to historical trauma in their lives,” Insp. Derek McIntyre said. “It was a very uncomfortable, humbling, yet necessary journey to attempt to understand the impact police can have and acknowledge the effect our profession has on Indigenous women.
“I was fortunate in that I was able to convey to the women a message about the wave of change in the EPS and our personal and organizational commitment to diversity, inclusion, and fully embracing our role in strengthening and repairing relationships. We’re taking full notice, and it’s our responsibility to contribute to thoughtful and active responses to the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Calls for Justice from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry.”
Insp. McIntyre explained after the sharing circle, the women invited them into their Warrior Room where they drummed and sang traditional songs. The Elder took Insp. McIntyre aside and said: “this is what reconciliation looks like.”
Insp. McIntyre wrapped up in the star blanket.
From that point forward, Insp. McIntyre became a point of contact for many women in the Indigenous community. He would provide assistance and leadership in a range of scenarios, which until that point, the women felt they did not have a connection to anyone in policing who would listen and advocate for them.
As a bagpiper in the EPS Pipes and Drums, Insp. McIntyre helped develop the musical lineup for the 2020 Christmas concert taping, which featured many of the Indigenous women who he formed professional relationships with.
“I wanted to showcase the EPS’s commitment to being inclusive and celebrating diversity,” he said.
As a token of their appreciation, the women who participated in the Pipes and Drums video received Christmas presents and hand sewn traditional ribbon skirts from the band.
When Insp. McIntyre and the band delivered the presents, he was taken by surprise when some of the women emerged carrying a Star Blanket for everything he had contributed to the community.
“As the Elder conducted the ceremony two women wrapped me in the blanket, and I became overwhelmed and began to cry,” Insp. McIntyre explained. “I’ve been recognized for achievement in policing before but nothing like this.
“When I first met them they had no reason to trust me, and they opened their minds and hearts to the idea of allowing the police to change the narrative with Indigenous People, as I had committed to them a year before.”