It was a service Cpl. Tammy Dodginghorse undertook even before her people were given full policing authority over TsuuT’ina Nation.
In almost 30 years of building public trust in law enforcement, Dodginghorse passed up recruitment opportunities that would have grown her salary, benefits and pension with the Calgary Police Service.
“I grew up here,” said Dodginghorse. “These are my people and when I come to work, I feel like I’m responsible for my people.
The TsuuT’ina Nation Police Service, known by its community as Tosunga, is one of three self-administered police forces on First Nations in Alberta. Siksika is expected to become the fourth later this year.
Their costs are funded by both provincial and federal governments, to the tune of 48 per cent and 52 per cent, respectively. But, according to Tosunga police chief Keith Blake, that funding falls short, receiving about 30 per cent less funding than mainstream …