Shamattawa RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Noel Allard has won the National Chapter of Canada Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE) RCMP Police Community Relations Award for 2010.
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.
Allard's win marks the second consecutive year the award has gone to a Manitoba Mountie and the only two times it has gone to an officer in the province since the award was established in 2000. Last year, Sgt. Brian Brewer of Dauphin was recognized for "his exemplary public service to his community outside of his official duties."
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.
The IODE was founded as the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire in 1900 by Margaret Polson Murray of Montreal to generate "loyal support for Canadians departing to fight with the Empire forces in South Africa" in the Boer War.
She encouraged the formation of a federation of women to promote patriotism, loyalty and service to others by sending telegrams to the mayors of Canada's major cities urging them to call together the prominent women of their communities. The first chapter was formed in Fredericton, N.B. on Jan. 15, 1900.
The next month in Montreal, a draft constitution and the aims and objectives of a national organization were reviewed. Chosen was the name, Federation of the Daughters of the Empire, with the motto, "For Queen and Country," followed by a prayer and badge.
In 1901, the head office moved to Toronto and the federation was incorporated as the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire and Children of the Empire Junior Branch.
The organization has been primarily known by its IODE initials since the 1970s. IODE Canada is a national federally-incorporated women's charitable organization dedicated today to "enhancing the quality of life for deserving individuals, through education support, community service, and citizenship programs."
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-to18-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.
"There are many challenges to living in a remote community, not the least of which is limited recreational activities," explained Insp. Tyler Bates, the RCMP D Division's officer in charge of contract and aboriginal policing services in an interview earlier this year. "Shamattawa RCMP have taken some commendable steps to contribute to their community to address such deficiencies. The RCMP members flooded a skating rink by drilling holes in the ice with an ice auger, [and using] a generator and a fire hose to water the ice surface.
"Allard is really community-oriented," said Bates, and always trying to provide activities for youth in a community that suffers from a lack of recreational options. "It takes some leadership like that. The interaction between police and youth through these activities is inspiring and demonstrates that collectively the efforts of a few compassionate citizens can make a profound difference within a community.
"It's our community. Like we live here, too, so we try to do the best we can to try and make our community a healthier and safer community to live in," said Allard.
In 2009, there were seven suicides and 110 attempted suicides, according to residents. In January, a 16-year-old boy was charged with second-degree murder after an 11-year-old boy died in a house fire.
In May 2008, strained relations forced a Mountie posted on the reserve to be moved out after the trailer where 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.
