'Step up': Sask. Indigenous leaders call on province, RCMP to help as COVID-19 rips through northern community
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is calling on the provincial government to "step up" as a northern community battles a COVID-19 outbreak.
In a news release, the FSIN said both public health orders and RCMP enforcement to ensure people who test positive for COVID-19 self-isolate are needed to get an outbreak in Buffalo River Dene Nation under control.
"Chief Elmer Campbell and health staff are running out of options and the death of our most vulnerable could increase unless reinforcements are brought in," Chief Bobby Cameron said in the release.
In the release, Cameron and Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) Chief Richard Ben also ask community members to do their part to control the spread of the virus.
"We encourage anyone who can get vaccinated to do so immediately and to continue to wear a mask and self-isolate if you've tested positive," Ben said.
Ben echoed Cameron's call for additional help.
"We're doing all that we can to support Chief Elmer Campbell and his staff who are working around the clock to contain this COVID-19 outbreak,": Ben said.
"They need more health support staff and they also need the RCMP to step in and enforce health and safety protocols and ensure gatherings are stopped."
The outbreak in the community began after 250 people from the community were temporarily evacuated to Lloydminster due to a nearby wildfire.
The number of cases in the community started to climb following their return.
On July 15, Buffalo River Dene Nation had only five active cases of COVID-19.
As of Thursday, there were more than 60 cases in the community according to the MLTC.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.