RCMP and AFN vow to cooperate on important cases

The RCMP and the Assembly of First Nations vow to work together to solve cases of missing and murdered aboriginal people.

The agreement, announced Thursday, involves increased levels of communication and consultation between community leaders and police.

"I think it's a good step to work with the community rather than just police," Dr. Priscilla Settee, a professor of native studies at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, told CBC News Thursday. "I think in the past there's been tension between the police force and First Nations and Mtis communities."

Settee added another focus for government would be to address some of the conditions that lead to aboriginal people being at risk of violent crime.

She said she would like to see more attention paid to issues of poverty and racism.

In Saskatchewan, there have been regular marches held to remember missing and murdered aboriginal women.