STPS History
The Stl'atl'imx Tribal Police Service (STPS) evolved from a security program implemented by the Lillooet Band Council in 1986 to becoming the only self-administered First Nations Police Service in British Columbia today. Under the original program, security personnel patrolled reserve areas, engaged in preventative work, and reported criminal activity to the RCMP as appropriate.
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In 1988 the Lillooet Tribal Council expanded the concept by creating a peacekeeping program for the Lillooet Tribe. Eight peacekeepers were assigned to the St'at'imc communities of T'it'q'et, Tsal'alh, and Lil'wat Nation.
In 1992 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between seven St'at'imc communities, the Solicitor General of Canada and the Attorney General of the province of British Columbia. This MOU established the peacekeeping program as a tribal policing pilot project. The MOU included a Protocol Agreement with the RCMP, who was the provincial police force. The RCMP retained jurisdictional authority in the participating communities. The pilot project was funded by the federal and provincial governments. Over the next few years, modifications were made to the initial MOU, including the signing of additional participating St'at'imc communities. Finally, in 1999, the STPS was established as a designated policing force unit and police force, with full jurisdictional authority under the Policing Act (s.4.1 - 4.2). |
Currently, the five-years Tripartite Agreement signed between the ten communities, Public Safety Canada and the BC Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General has increased to ten-years. As well, the STPS - RCMP Protocol Agreement is undergoing some changes to reflect the increased role of the STPS and its positive working relationship with the RCMP.
SZUHMINS I UCWALMICWA Protecting the People |
Before The STPS There Were The Watchmen
An Elder from Xaxli'p recalls the Watchmen System being in place in the 1950’s and earlier. It was an old system that was effective and strong. It was strong due to the language and the language made a difference. There was a head Watchmen and trainees who would take over when the head Watchmen passed on. Watchmen had to be in good physical shape.
The Watchmen disciplined the young people. For example, there was a time when young people were expected to be home. If not home at that hour, the Watchmen would round up the youth and bring them home. Further, when the youth continued to be belligerent, they were brought to a meeting to face the people. The youth would kneel in front while other business took place. Finally, nearing the end of the meeting, the people would determine what would happen to the youth.
The Xaxli'p Elder told a story that took place in Mt. Currie. While playing with other children he came across a strawberry patch owned by Elders. Assuming that no-one saw them the children took some strawberries. Soon after, a meeting was called. Someone told his mother that the boy had to go up to the front and kneel down in front of the people. His mother asked him what he had done wrong but the boy could not recall anything. On his way up to the front and while on his knees he still could not recollect any misdeeds.
The Elder remembers, in amazement, the memory of that meeting. The women sat in front, the men and Council were in the back, and the Chief sat by himself. The people went through the business of the meeting. Wrapping up the end of the meeting the Chief got up and told a story. In this story, a man took things that did not belong to him. Consequently, he was ousted out of the community and lived by himself until he passed on. No one helped this person. The Chief said that if these kids took things that did not belong to them then the same thing would happen to them. When the children went outside afterwards the Watchmen and the people shunned them. When his mother found out what he had done, she had him pack wood and water for the old people. Prior to stealing from them, the boy regularly helped out the old people. But now, because of what he had done, they ignored him. It took a long time before the people began to acknowledge him again. The boy had learned his lesson.
The Watchmen system was in place to keep the order and peace in a community. Each community in the St’at’imc territory may have had their own Watchmen system. These systems may have differed according to the ways and the traditions of each distinct group of people."
The Watchmen disciplined the young people. For example, there was a time when young people were expected to be home. If not home at that hour, the Watchmen would round up the youth and bring them home. Further, when the youth continued to be belligerent, they were brought to a meeting to face the people. The youth would kneel in front while other business took place. Finally, nearing the end of the meeting, the people would determine what would happen to the youth.
The Xaxli'p Elder told a story that took place in Mt. Currie. While playing with other children he came across a strawberry patch owned by Elders. Assuming that no-one saw them the children took some strawberries. Soon after, a meeting was called. Someone told his mother that the boy had to go up to the front and kneel down in front of the people. His mother asked him what he had done wrong but the boy could not recall anything. On his way up to the front and while on his knees he still could not recollect any misdeeds.
The Elder remembers, in amazement, the memory of that meeting. The women sat in front, the men and Council were in the back, and the Chief sat by himself. The people went through the business of the meeting. Wrapping up the end of the meeting the Chief got up and told a story. In this story, a man took things that did not belong to him. Consequently, he was ousted out of the community and lived by himself until he passed on. No one helped this person. The Chief said that if these kids took things that did not belong to them then the same thing would happen to them. When the children went outside afterwards the Watchmen and the people shunned them. When his mother found out what he had done, she had him pack wood and water for the old people. Prior to stealing from them, the boy regularly helped out the old people. But now, because of what he had done, they ignored him. It took a long time before the people began to acknowledge him again. The boy had learned his lesson.
The Watchmen system was in place to keep the order and peace in a community. Each community in the St’at’imc territory may have had their own Watchmen system. These systems may have differed according to the ways and the traditions of each distinct group of people."
"Our force may be small, but we serve each day with honour and respect."
- Stl'atl'imx Tribal Police Service.
- Stl'atl'imx Tribal Police Service.