Mountie's work on drug case earns eagle feather

An RCMP officer who investigated a drug trafficking case at the Kinistin Saulteaux First Nation is being honoured by the community.

Cst. Cameron Schmidt was presented Thursday with an eagle feather for his police work.

"The presentation of an eagle feather is the highest honour a non-First Nations person can receive from the First Nation community," a news release on the event noted.

Albert Scott, chief of the First Nation, also explained the symbolism associated with the honour.

"The Eagle has vision," he said. "[It is] focused and very accurate in grabbing."

Recognizing Schmidt's work was also being done to highlight the issue of drugs in the community and to educate people about the dangers of the drug trade.

"As Treaty people we have an obligation to conduct and behave ourselves as good loyal subjects of Her Majesty the Queen," Scott added. "And that includes assisting her police with bringing to justice and punishment our own people who offend against the stipulation of Treaty.

"It breaks my heart to bring my own people to justice," he added, "but this is what I have to do as a Treaty person."