James Smith. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Community safety

James Smith lockdown over, no injuries

Sep 8, 2025 | 10:29 AM

UPDATE: RCMP have confirmed that while they were called to an investigation of an injured person in James Smith this morning, the subject of the report has been found unharmed.

Officers from the Melfort detachment got the report around 10 am and responded immediately.

They later found the person who was no harmed and said the matter is now concluded with no charges laid.

The lockdown was declared by community leadership out of caution and not by police so the RCMP cannot make any comment on that nor share any details.

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UPDATE: Just before 1 p.m., community leaders said the lockdown was over and no emergency exists and the community is safe.

“We put our Nation in lockdown earlier this morning as a precaution while we verified the information we received. Sometimes wrong information can spread and cause confusion, so we wanted to be sure,” they said on social media.

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James Smith Cree Nation is warning members to stay indoors and not let people in their homes.

Community leaders issued the alert at 10 a.m. on Monday.

“We are locking down the Nation effective immediately. All children are being sent home, and the Band Office and store are closing. For everyone’s safety, we are asking all community members to stay indoors until we provide the all clear,” said the band on its social media page.

The only detail given is that there is a community member at-large and people should stay home and not let anyone in. Shortly after the initial alert, the band asked the community to watch for a red Ford Escape and report it immediately if seen.

Northeast School Division has issued a hold and secure alert for its schools in Melfort, but said that is just a precaution and there are no direct threats to their schools.

Parents are asked to not call or go to the school in the next short while. An update is expected around lunch time.