Public Safety Minister Bill Blair has turned down the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake's offer to have its peacekeepers head up a temporary Indigenous police force to patrol traditional Wet'suwet'en territory instead of the RCMP. Mounties made the decision to end patrols along a critical roadway in Wet'suwet'en territory while negotiations unfold — a request made by the hereditary chiefs. The force would be led by Kahnawake Peacekeepers and include members of other Indigenous police services, Norton told CBC News Friday. Kahnawake peacekeepers are recognized as federal police officers who enforce the Criminal Code of Canada, Zachary said. The Kahnawake Mohawk Peacekeepers have said they have no intention of enforcing an injunction to dismantle that blockade.

Source: CBC News February 28, 2020 17:45 UTC