FSIN urging province to ‘step up’ efforts to slow Buffalo River outbreak

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations is calling on the province to increase its efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 at Buffalo River Dene Nation.

The community located west of Buffalo Narrows near the Alberta border has been the epicentre of a COVID-19 outbreak since last week.

In a media release issued Monday afternoon, the FSIN is attributing the rapid spread of the virus to a lack of public health orders, RCMP enforcement and restrictions.

“Chief Elmer Campbell and his health staff are running out of options and the death of our most vulnerable could increase unless reinforcements are brought in by the Province and RCMP to enforce rules to keep COVID-19 numbers from continuing to climb. We support his calls for action and are calling on Premier Scott Moe to help immediately” FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said. “We understand that many community members are frustrated and facing COVID fatigue but we must come together to ensure our vulnerable community members are safe.”

Saskatchewan lifted all remaining public health orders on July 11.

Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority declared an outbreak at the community on July 23. An update posted on the NITHA Facebook page shows there are currently 87 active cases in the far northwest region where Buffalo River is located.

“We are doing all that we can to support of Chief Elmer Campbell and his staff who are working around the clock to help contain this COVID-19 outbreak but more must be done” Meadow Lake Tribal Council Tribal Chief Richard Ben said.

“They need more health support staff and they also need the RCMP to step in to enforce health and safety protocols to ensure gatherings are stopped and COVID-19 is taken seriously. We encourage anyone who can get vaccinated to do so immediately and to continue to wear a mask and isolate if you’ve tested positive. It’s going to take a coordinated and collaborative effort to get this outbreak under control before it continues to spread.”