The chief of the Standing Buffalo First Nation east of Regina says a crisis management team has been brought in to help families and friends cope with a murder that took place on the First Nation on New Year’s Day.
Mario Kaiswatum, 28, was shot to death at a house party in front of several witnesses. Chief Roger Redman says the band wants to ensure residents the band council is working hand in hand with the RCMP to address safety and violence concerns.
He says the first order of business is making sure family members and friends are getting the help they need, which means counsellors have been brought in to help out.
Chief Redman says the justice committee of the band council is also taking a proactive approach getting input from the RCMP, elders, and band members on how best to deal with violence.
He says they’re considering a complete alcohol ban, but that won’t happen until after a lot of community input.
“Working with our justice committee, working with our elders, and the end of the day taking it to the membership for a vote if that’s what they want,” he said. “We also want to make sure we are not infringing on someone’s human rights, getting a legal analysis on that, making sure we are doing it right.”
Right now there is a partial alcohol ban. Drinking is not allowed in most of the multiple family housing units on the reserve.
RCMP say alcohol was a factor in the shooting on New Year ’s Day.
Maurice Maple, 55, also of the Standing Buffalo First Nation is facing a charge of first-degree murder. He made a brief court appearance via video link on Monday. He has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Jan. 18. That appearance will also be by video link from the Regina Correctional Centre.
The chief, RCMP, and several band members took part in a news conference on the reserve on Monday to allay fears about violence
In 2012 there was a double murder on the First Nation. Three people – including a teenage boy – were convicted of stabbing and bludgeoning a common-law couple to death.
The Standing Buffalo First Nation is in the Qu’Appelle Valley, about 70 kilometers northeast of Regina.