The Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario (IPCO), in collaboration with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) and with the support of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Indigenous Policing Bureau, is pleased to announce the upcoming Indigenous Awareness Symposium.
This specialized training initiative is designed to bring together police leaders from across the province to advance education, foster cultural awareness, and deepen understanding of the complex issues impacting Indigenous peoples and policing in Ontario.
The program has been carefully developed to reflect and support the key recommendations outlined in landmark reports and public inquiries, including the Ipperwash Inquiry Report, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Report, and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Click here to access the Agenda!
Topics:
The program will cover the following topics:
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Indigenous History
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Residential Schools
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Diversity and Political Structures in First Nations
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Policing and Community Relationships
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Inquiries and Their Impact on Policing
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Working with the Family Information Liaison Unit
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Mental Health in Indigenous Policing
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Municipal Policing Perspectives
Accommodations:
A block of rooms has been reserved at a special group rate at Casino Rama.
Please call the hotel directly at 800-832-7529 to book a room and quote the INDK2A to get the group rate
Registration:
Registration Fee:
- FULL CONFERENCE: $499.00 + HST
- ONE-DAY ONLY: $249.00 + HST
Day One: December 2nd, 2025
Opening Ceremonies
Emcee: Inspector Marcel Beaudin, Ontario Provincial Police
Opening Prayer: Elder Darrell Boissoneau
O'Canada: Constable Tanya Kutschke, Ontario Provincial Police
Chippewas of Rama First Nation Drum Group
Opening Remarks
Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General of Ontario
Commissioner Thomas Carrique, Ontario Provincial Police
Paul Pedersen, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police
History of Indigenous People
Joel Syrette
Residential Schools
| Chief Darren Montour, Six Nations Police Service |
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Sherlene Bomberry, Residential School Survivor
Chief Coroner Dr. Dirk Huyer
Lunch
Presentation by Drone Action 360
Missing and Disappeared Children and Unmarked Burials
Kimberly Murray, Associate Professor, Queens University
Diversity and Political Structures in First Nations
| Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin, Nishnawbe Aski Nation |
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History of Indigenous Policing & Current Landscape
| Chief Jerry Swamp, Rama Police Service |
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| Chief Terry Armstrong, Nishnawbe Aski Police Service |
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Policing and Community Relationships
Chief Jeff Skye, Anishinabek Police Service
Kai Liu, Executive Director, Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario
Chief Mark Campbell, President, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police
Day Two: December 3rd, 2025
Opening Remarks
Opening Prayer: Carol Clarke, Ontario Provincial Police
Chief Bruno Rossi, Lac Seul Police Service
Chief Darcy Fleury, Thunder Bay Police Service
Inquiries and Their Impact on Policing
Superintendent Gary Maracle, Ontario Provincial Police, Indigenous Policing Bureau
Taylor Sayers, UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service
Mental Health in Indigenous Policing
Meredith Brown, Calibrate
Deputy Chief Trish Rupert, Treaty Three Police Service
Taylor Sayers, UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service
First Nation Laws and By-Laws
Jason Herbert, Falls Law Group
Working with the Family Information Liaison Unit (FILU)
Inspector Tammy Duffy, Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service
Staff Sergeant Ryan Myette, Ontario Provincial Police Indigenous Policing Bureau
Todd Dart, Ontario Provincial Police Indigenous Policing Bureau
Paul Barry, FILU Investigator, Toronto Police Service
Indigenous Policing - Who, What, Where, Why, and How!?
Inspector Marc Lesage, Anishinabek Police Service
Probe Turbine
Inspector Don MacAlister, Ontario Provincial Police Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau
Municipal and First Nation Policing Perspectives
| Chief James Killeen, UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service |
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| Deputy Chief Dan Despatie, UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service |
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Closing Ceremony
Haudenosaunee Singers
Closing Prayer: Carol Clarke, Ontario Provincial Police