“There are people that will need help, so don’t turn your cheek and walk away – that’s the lesson. We’re trying to teach how to be responsible and respectful in our own communities so that number one: we want everyone to be safe,” he said.
The Peace Keepers are a volunteer group that has been operating for close to three decades. Harry was one of the founding members.
“We have five residential reserves here in Squamish, so seven of us guys thought we needed to start something and to look after the children, the elders and the community as a whole. That’s when we started,” he said.
In the beginning, he admits the job of self-policing a small community wasn’t easy. Some people questioned their strategy.
“When we first started, it was pretty rough for us,” he said. Over time, said Harry, the doubters began to call on the Peace Keepers for help, and perspectives changed.
Sometimes the Peace Keepers deal with things Harry categorizes as “the negative” like loud parties, roadside accidents or illegal substances. Most of the time, they approach issues from a proactive angle.
Over time, the Peace Keepers helped found Aboriginal Day, where local RCMP paddle alongside First Nation youth, and the Integrated First Nation Unit, a partnership between the RCMP and West Vancouver Police Department, to provide culturally-sensitive policing.
The Peace Keepers work proactively with the RCMP on reserve calls, and beyond reserve lands, they’ve connected agencies like Squamish Fire and Search and Rescue with Squamish Nation knowledge of the area.
“I’ve always tried to promote a proactive approach for prevention.”
Part of that mission is involving youth – including Harry’s own son, Chase, who has been attending calls with his dad since he started high school. Harry even recalls his 10-year-old son reminding his parents to put on safety vests once when attending a vehicle accident.
“I’ve pretty much been doing this since I was a kid,” said Chase. “It’s always been an interest. I’ve been going on calls with him. It’s a good experience and I liked it, helping out the people.”
Now 23 years old, Chase is a Peace Keeper himself and still attends calls with his father.
The two attended a recent road-stop program on Squamish Valley Road that was meant to inform campers about hazards when heading into the backcountry on the May long weekend.
“When we get the younger ones to work with us, that gives us the edge because they are around the same age,” said Harry. “Overall, I look at the big picture – we involve the younger generation, both male and female, and we always have the best person to step in and work with an issue. That’s our aim and our goal.”
