Six new Peacekeepers join the team

The Peacekeepers have welcomed six new members to their growing team, marking a significant step in expanding local law enforcement capacity.

The new recruits - Tehoshen:nake McComber, Lylee Horn, Shayd Phillips, Holden McComber, Liam Lazare, and Cedar Lazare - have completed their training and are now officially sworn in as Peacekeepers. Their addition comes at a time when the organization is actively reinforcing its ranks to meet the demands of community policing.

Two of the new recruits, Lylee Horn and Liam Lazare, shared their experiences and aspirations in interviews. Horn, one of two women to become a Peacekeeper, comes with a background in youth programming and a passion for helping others.

“I have previously worked at the Kahnawake Youth Center and completed my studies at Dawson College in the Community Recreation and Leadership Training Program,” she said. “I’ve always wanted a career where every day is different and provides a new chance to connect with and help people.”

Horn describes her cadet training as “challenging, yet achievable,” emphasizing the personal growth and bonds formed during the program. “Some days are more challenging than others, especially being in a new environment that’s very far from home. The biggest impact was the strong connections made with people who felt the same thing.”

When asked about the values she brings to the role, Horn highlighted “honesty, integrity, and the ability to demonstrate compassion,” stating that serving as a Peacekeeper means upholding justice, connecting with community members, and providing the best service possible.

Her goals include building trust, participating in community events, and growing in her role. “My advice to any young people who wish to follow in my footsteps would be to always remember your purpose for joining. As long as you have the want and the drive, you will be amazed with all that you can accomplish.”

Fellow recruit Liam Lazare also shared his story, crediting his family’s long history of first response work for inspiring him. “My father is a firefighter and the former fire chief. My grandfather is one of the founding members of the Fire Brigade. My mother works in the hospital and on the ambulance,” he explained.

Lazare described the RCMP cadet training as “very intensive” and said it helped him grow more organized and self-confident. “If I set my mind to something, I can accomplish it.”

For Lazare, the most important qualities in a Peacekeeper are “responsibility and accountability,” and he views every interaction as equally important. His message to others? “Put your best foot forward especially for Indigenous people. Indigenous people policing other Indigenous people, it makes a difference, that’s how it should be.”

Tehoshen:nake McComber and Holden McComber declined interviews for this article, while Shayd Phillips and Cedar Lazare did not respond.

Spokesperson Kyle Zachary emphasized the importance of these new additions: “We want to expand. They’re the first of a group of six that are coming from Regina Saskatchewan. We’re dealing with a lot of time off and sick leave, so having this influx of new personnel is good for everyone.”

Zachary noted that the Peacekeepers’ approach is rooted in community. “We’re one of the only police services where everybody who works here lives in the territory. That’s the ultimate form of accountability.”

A public swearing-in ceremony will be held on October 2, 2025, at 1 p.m.p.m. at the Kahnawake Peacekeepers Station Community Room, where the community is invited to meet the new Peacekeepers and witness the unveiling of the official Peacekeepers Challenge Coin. “It’s an opportunity for friends, family, and community members to observe the new Peacekeepers swear in,” said Zachary.

As Kahnawake continues to grow, the arrival of this new generation of Peacekeepers offers hope, commitment, and a renewed promise of community-first policing.

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