Fond du Lac starts campaign for kids' life jackets
Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation hopes to gather 500 life jackets for children in the isolated community to help prevent tragedies while boating.
“A lot of our members travel by boat to get to Stoney Rapids and then drive from Stoney south,” said band councillor Colleen Whitedeer.
“It’s the only viable option of travelling in the summer because the airline is very pricey,” Whitedeer said.
This summer, Whitedeer says she’s seen children being transported in boats without life jackets and speculates it’s due to affordability.
She says people who can afford boats often have life jackets and people who get rides often don’t have life jackets.
“A life jacket is going to keep you afloat if a boat overturns, especially if you’re struck by objects in the boat and rendered unconscious,” says Parkland Ambulance Care Ltd. director of public affairs Lyle Karasiuk.
He says there is a difference between a life jacket and personal flotation devices. Life jackets are important for everyone.
“Look for one that has a big collar on it. That’s going to right them up and flip them around so that their face is out of the water, especially in the chaos of an overturned vessel.”
Fond du Lac is located at the northeast end of Lake Athabasca. About 900 band members live on reserve. The campaign’s goal is to collect 500 life jackets for children up to 18 years old.
People can donate money or new or gently used life jackets at Athabasca Basin Development in Saskatoon and in Prince Albert at Parkland Hall.
Whitedeer says the life jackets are also necessary when transporting youth to a culture camp this summer. Extra life jackets will be given to people in Black Lake and Wollaston Lake.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.