Nora Grace Madill

Divisions Served: “F”

Pillar Location: Pillar X, Row 12, Column D

Story: 

Nora Madill was born in Frobisher Bay, NWT (now Iqaluit, Nunavut) on May 28, 1978 to Darrell and Ruth Madill. At the time, Darrell was a member with the RCMP and Ruth had resigned (from the RCMP) that previous year. Nora was the oldest of four children and she spent the early part of her childhood across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, something she still reflects fondly on today. Growing up as an RCMP child, Nora was very fortunate to experience living in various parts of Canada that many Canadians never get to see. They lived in several communities across the Far North, then to Portage la Prairie, MB, followed by Ottawa, ON and eventually returning to the Prairies in Regina, SK.

Nora graduated high school in Regina and after completing a Certificate in Community Development from the University of Regina, attended First Nations University of Canada in Regina where she graduated with Honours with an Education degree; a major in Indian Studies and minor in Cree. Nora’s final practicum allowed her to teach at Carry the Kettle First Nation and then return to her home community, Ahtahkakoop First Nation. In her 3rd year of university, although loving her classes, professors and experiences at First Nations University, Nora began her application with the RCMP.
Nora decided to follow in her parents’ footsteps, which were big shoes to fill. Nora’s mother, Ruth, was the first First Nations female to be accepted into the RCMP and her father, Darrell, was the Commanding Officer of “D” Division at the time. Nora remembers two conversations with her parents prior to making the leap to apply.

The first was with her mother when Nora asked Ruth if she was making the right decision because Nora’s son, Jaydon, was only 3 years old at the time and her common-law Ryan was a member of the Regina Police Service. Ruth responded with “It’s your decision to make and I’m not going to make it for you.” Confident in what she wanted, Nora appreciated her mother’s advice.

The second conversation was with Nora’s father. Darrell told Nora if she couldn’t run the physical in under 3:45 to not bother going. The standards were 4:45 to further the applicant process and 4:00 when completing training, which she reminded him of and that she would be able to run it well under 4:45 for entrance. Darrell explained to Nora that the only thing she had complete control of was her physical fitness and by beginning her training under the standards, she would be able to focus on the rest of her training. Another well taken piece of advice and was the type of honest advice that Nora appreciated from her parents.

Nora began training at RCMP Depot on July 4, 2005. She joined Troop 12 and finished up just before Christmas on December 19, 2005. After successfully completing her training, Nora was very fortunate to learn she was to be posted to Punnichy, Saskatchewan; a detachment she had listed as preferable when cadets were given the opportunity to do so. Not only was she going to be working with First Nations communities (a priority to Nora), but she had friendships from her time at First Nations University and from working for Regina Public School Board as a teacher’s assistant, with people at George Gordon, Kawacatoose and Muskowekwan First Nations. Nora truly felt like she had a family base heading out to Punnichy and upon her arrival, this was only emphasized upon meeting and working with the entire Punnichy detachment staff. Nora often recommends cadets to consider Punnichy as a first posting and to always value their first post, something she holds near to her heart.

From the big brunch breakfasts in Lestock, to visiting at the Pow Wows and rodeos, and to the hard working admin staff and members she worked with, Punnichy enabled her to further her passion as an RCMP member.

While posted at Punnichy, Nora and Ryan were married and they welcomed a second child, their daughter Danika. With Ryan being a member of the Regina Police Service, their career choices presented some unique challenges. Fortunately, Punnichy was close enough to manage this, but after Danika was born, Nora was seconded and later transferred to Regina. She worked initially in the Southern Enforcement Response Unit where the unit assisted detachments and plain clothes units. Following that brief secondment, Nora was transferred to the Regina Drug Unit where she was posted for four years. A drastic change from detachment policing, Nora was quick to adapt to the work of plain clothes investigative units and traveled often, from across the prairies to BC.  She also worked through a Joint Forces Operation with Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement agencies from California to Montana. Nora and her teammates were recognized in Great Falls, Montana, by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force for their involvement in Operation “White Rhino” (U.S. project name – Project FARIL in Canada).

In 2011, Nora was honoured to be the MC for “F” Division’s RCMP Change of Command ceremony for then Assistant Commissioner Russ Mirasty (now, his Honour, the Honourable Russ Mirasty, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan). This was a historical moment, not only for Canada and the RCMP but for Saskatchewan and Indigenous people across the country as His Honour, a proud member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, was the first, First Nations RCMP officer to become the Commanding Officer of an RCMP Division. The Mirasty and Madill families have had a strong family and working relationship over the years. Nora proudly represented the RCMP, her home community Ahtahkakoop First Nation and her familywhile speaking in Cree, French, and English for the ceremony.

In 2014, Nora was transferred to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit where she continued working plain clothes in drug and organized crime investigations. This unit was equally integrated with Regina Police Service and the RCMP and although similar in the type of investigations, it reported to the organized crime committee within the Province.

In 2015, Nora’s family experienced profound tragedy when her sister, Alana Madill, and her spouse, Jerry Collins, were killed in a motor vehicle accident in France, orphaning their infant daughter, Ayla Collins. Thankfully, Ayla survived the accident and joined Nora, Ryan, Jaydon and Danika as part of their family; an important reminder to be thankful in life, even though at times it may seem difficult. Family has always been very important to Nora and whether it is her family through blood or through her career, Nora has always taken pride in supporting others.

In 2020, Nora was transferred to the Regina Integrated Intelligence Unit where she was able to work again with some familiar faces. Although in a different capacity, Nora enjoys learning new roles and challenges and looks forward to the next half of her career.