Northern leaders in Sask. say security checkpoints restricting travel go too far

Leaders in northern Saskatchewan say security checkpoints restricting travel in and out of their communities have gone too far.

The measure was brought in by the province last month to control the spread of COVID-19 in the region, where case numbers have been high.

A release from the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) points to a letter of complaint that has been sent to Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab. In it, the northern chiefs say several complaints are being made against security officers for unfair and disrespectful treatment.

Travel is limited to essential trips, but Canoe Lake Cree Nation Chief Francis Iron says he was turned away last week while trying to get social assistance cheques signed.

Iron says he was trying to drive to the Flying Dust First Nation near Meadow Lake where their primary cheque signatory lives. He says many families are on social assistance and need to pay the bills.

“I explained to (the security officer) that we do manual cheques, and said a signature needs to be on it, and I kept pleading with him and he just said no and turned right around, so I just left,” said Iron.

Leaders across the north are calling for more clarity and consultation over the travel rules.

The checkpoints were originally set up by First Nation communities to protect against the virus before the checkpoints were taken over by the province.

“It disturbs me that the north is being discriminated against and treated unfairly. We were not consulted despite what the provincial health order states,” said Iron. “These officers have free interpretation of the public health order and a complete lack of respect of the north.

“I felt discriminated against and we just feel like we’re caged up over here.”

David Pratt with the FSIN says he thinks the checkpoints should be turned back over to the local communities.