Gitlaxt’aamix - On October 12, 2012 Sgt. Donovan Tait hosted ceremonies to unveil a new piece of art that will adorn the Lisims RCMP Detachment, a print designed by Nisga’a artist Brad Percival.

As Sgt Tait mentioned in his comments to the crowd that gathered to witness the ceremonies, Tait stated that he was always concerned that while the exterior of the building had beautiful Nisga‚Äôa crests, there was no Nisga‚Äôa art inside the detachment.  So one day Brad Percival showed up with a piece that illustrated the relationship between the RCMP and the Nisga‚Äôa Nation.

Superintendant Booth, whose area of responsibility included 75% of the province’s territory, indicated that when he heard about the ceremony to unveil this piece, he was delighted and excited to travel all the way from Prince George just to attend.

Dr. Joseph Gosnell, Sim‚Äôoogit Hleek, spoke of the importance of history and culture.  In order to know where you are going, Dr. Gosnell stated, you need to remember ‚Äúnda wil w‚Äôitgwin‚Äù i.e. ‚Äòwhere you come from.‚Äô    Dr. Gosnell stated that the relationship between the RCMP and the Nisga‚Äôa Nation needed to be cared for on both sides.  ‚ÄúRespect who we are,‚Äù he stated, ‚Äúand we will respect you in turn.‚Äù The Chair of the Council of Elders Sim‚Äôoogit Ksim Xsaan ‚Äì Oscar Mercer also thanked Sgt. Tait for his wisdom in hosting such an event. 

The Chair also called upon the President to address the crowd.  ‚ÄúThis is a great day for all Canadians as we dispel the myth that the Nisga‚Äôa Nation wanted to be a separate country.‚Äù  Instead, he expressed his appreciation for the diversity that we enjoy in Canada such that Nisga‚Äôa Nation need not reinvent the wheel and establish its own police force.  Instead, President Stevens stated, we have the option to bring the RCMP into the community to provide appropriate services to Nisga‚Äôa citizens just like any other level of government in Canada.

At last, Brad Percival unveiled the piece and spoke of the influences in the print: the maple leaf, the Hayatskw, the four crests of the Nisga‚Äôa Nation, and the RCMP emblem.   Brad Percival has conceptualized a piece that brings together many ideas that strengthen the relationship of the RCMP to the Nisga‚Äôa Nation.

Finally, the crowd was delighted to see Susan Guno also being honoured as the person who orients all the new detachment employees.   Apparently, Sgt Donovan Tait is the 10th detachment commander that Susan has worked under since she started working with the RCMP.

Overall, it was a great afternoon enjoyed by all.