Good people make a difference. Wherever they are and whatever the circumstances. That sounds like a pretty simplistic truism, and in a way, it is. But that doesn't make it any less true. And RCMP Sgt. Noel Allard in Shamattawa is the most recent example of that simple but powerful truth.
Shamattawa is a remote fly-in Cree community 360 kilometres east of Thompson at the junction of Gods River and Echoing River. About half of Shamattawa's 1,100 residents are children. When the York Factory Hudson's Bay operation was closed in the 1950s, Shamattawa, which adheres to Treaty 5, was established as a permanent settlement. Shamattawa operated as an outpost to York Factory as early as 1915 and in 1934 it became a full post.
Bad news is more likely to be news than good news is another truism that's largely true. In 2009, there were seven suicides and 110 attempted suicides in Shamattawa, according to residents.
In May 2008, strained relations forced a Mountie posted on the reserve to be moved out after the trailer the officer lived in was targeted by arson while he was sleeping. The officer was treated for minor smoke inhalation and flown out of the community to be posted elsewhere.
And so it went. Our first big story out of Shamattawa for 2010 back in January started out, "One dead. Far more questions than answers. A fire being treated as an arson-homicide and a 16-year-old local boy charged with second-degree murder in connection with the fire. Tragedy has once again visited Shamattawa on a shocking scale. With a population of about 1,100, it is one of Northern Manitoba's most remote and isolated Northern Cree First Nations communities. And it is also a place that when outsiders utter the word "Shamattawa" it is almost always in the context of despair linked with tragedy. In recent years, suicide and attempted suicide, often by the very young, have been the main headline. Good news stories about Shamattawa, a place most Manitobans will never visit, are few and far between."
Few and far between perhaps, but not non-existent, thanks to Allard, the detachment commander there since October 2008. In fact our last two major stories out of Shamattawa have struck a decidedly different note than earlier ones: "Shamattawa RCMP sergeant wins national community policing award: Noel Allard recognized by IODE" read the headline for our story last week and, "Ice brigade: Shamattawa cops giving back," headlined a Feb. 17 story.
Allard recently won the National Chapter of Canada Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE) RCMP Police Community Relations Award for 2010.
IODE Canada, on behalf of its members, established the award 10 years ago to "recognize outstanding voluntary community service given by a member, unit or detachment of the RCMP." Each year, the RCMP commissioner chooses the recipient. The award is accompanied by a gift of $500 towards further community service.
Allard's citation recognizes his "outstanding public service to the community, outside of his official duties.Since Sgt. Allard and his wife Edna arrived in Shamattawa in October 2008, they have been deeply committed to volunteering in the community. A remote First Nations community of 1,100, Shamattawa faces ongoing challenges with alcohol and substance abuse, and youth suicide.
"In March 2009 Sgt. Allard and his wife initiated weekly barbecues for the local kids at the RCMP detachment, aiming to forge a positive RCMP presence in the community. Over the last year detachment members have made the barbecues a regular weekly event for local kids and their parents every Friday - rain, shine or snow -gaining the attention and support of individuals, businesses and organizations from near and far.
"The weekly barbecues have also prompted more community initiatives, involvement, and interaction among the police community and local residents. Many fellow detachment members work tirelessly with Sgt. Allard on initiatives such as building an outdoor rink and organizing a skate and equipment drive, which garnered further participation from RCMP employees, individuals and organizations throughout Manitoba and further afield.
"Sgt. Allard is also involved in other youth-oriented initiatives: partnering with the local school to start a breakfast program, and helping to co-ordinate the Junior Rangers Program in Shamattawa for 12-to-18-year-olds.
"The continuing efforts of Sgt. Allard, his wife, and members of the Shamattawa RCMP have noticeably strengthened the Force's relationship with the community, where many of the youngsters now know RCMP members by name."
Well done, Sgt. Allard, in winning your well-deserved national award. Well done, in fact, to everyone in Shamattawa for having the collective courage as both a community and as individuals to demonstrate to all of us in Manitoba, and indeed the rest of Canada, positive change is possible when hope trumps experience.
