Former RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore. (CKOM)

By paNOW staff

Questions asked

FSIN wants answers in RCMP assistant commissioner removal

Jun 25, 2025 | 5:16 PM

Multiple member Chiefs of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) have issued a joint statement raising concerns about the removal of Rhonda Blackmore as the Assistant Commissioner of the RCMP.

Blackmore was head of F Division during some turbulent times for Saskatchewan First Nations, including the mass stabbing incident at James Smith Cree Nation in 2022.

“Rhonda showed strong leadership during a time of crisis for James Smith; she, along with her team, worked hard to develop trust through her compassion and understanding of the importance of that tragedy,” said Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte of the Prince Albert Grand Council.

Blackmore made critical reforms in Saskatchewan following the 2014 New Brunswick shootings, where the RCMP were criticized for their lack of public warning.

When Myles Sanderson began his spree early on September 4, 2022, multiple warnings were sent out on Saskatchewan’s provincial emergency alert system.

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The FSIN said it has concerns that Blackmore, who made it a point to build relationships with Indigenous communities, was removed as commissioner over what it has been told were anonymous complaints.

“We firmly stand with Assistant Commissioner Blackmore,” said File Hills Qu’Appelle Council, Tribal Chief Jeremy Fourhorns. “Her time as F Div. CO has been defined by unwavering integrity, accountability, and a dedication to First Nation communities.”

The FSIN said Blackmore deserves praise for her leadership during that time of crisis.

One of the things she was focussing on more recently was recruiting more Indigenous people to become RCMP members, an effort that was paying off.

Removing Blackmore without explanation or any kind of transparent review undermines public confidence in the RCMP, said the Chiefs.

“We demand transparent, independent oversight of RCMP disciplinary processes. Decisions based on anonymous complaints, absent due process, erode trust, especially in our communities still healing from historical injustices,” said Tribal Chief Jeremy Norman, Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC).

The Chiefs are asking that she be reinstated immediately until the review can be done and that there be independent oversight for the actions taken by the RCMP when disciplinary action such as this is taken.

That should involve a clear criteria for handling anonymous complaints to make sure that whistleblower policy is not being misused for personal gain. The process and the outcome of the investigation should be made public.

Blackmore has been an RCMP officer for 30 years, working in communities like Assiniboia, Regina and Buffalo Narrows.

The Chiefs said they were disheartened to see that just when they had a commissioner they had a good relationship with, she was removed.

“I’m disappointed by how Assistant Commissioner Blackmore was removed from her post with no consultation with our nations. It seems like whenever we have a positive relationship with a RCMP officer, they are moved, in this case the circumstances appear questionable. We expect better treatment for someone who has given much to the people of Saskatchewan,” said Battleford Agency Tribal Council representative, Neil Sasakamoose.

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