Lac La Ronge Indian Band prepares for potential outbreaks

With multiple COVID -19 outbreaks declared in Saskatchewan’s north, the province’s largest First Nation is putting measures in place to protect its member communities if the virus spreads there.

While no cases have been confirmed in the Lac La Ronge Indian Band’s six communities, band leadership is bracing for if that changes.

Kevin Roberts, communications coordinator for the LLRIB’S emergency control group, said LLRIB faces unique challenges because of its large and dispersed population.

“It’s a little different from most communities that have one road in, one community. We’re a little unique. We’re a multi-community organization.”

The band has been working to prepare space for members to self-isolate if they are unable to do so at their homes.

In Stanley Mission, for example, a gymnasium has been prepared to serve that purpose.

There’s also an emergency medical tent in the community.

Roberts said smaller communities are working to follow suit by putting aside band-owned accommodations for a similar purpose.

“In our other communities it’s all based on what’s available,” he said.

“Some of our communities have more infrastructure than others. So we have to work with what we’ve got, really.”

Of Saskatchewan’s 122 active cases, 68 are in the far north and 31 are in the north.

Eight of the 18 new cases announced over the weekend were from the north and four from the far north, with an additional eight locally identified presumptive cases from the La Loche area.

Outbreaks have been declared in the communities of La Loche and Beauval, as well as at Prince Albert’s Victoria Union Hospital.

Premier Scott Moe tightened travel limitations in and out of the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District on April 30.

With the exception of travel between La Ronge and Stony Rapids, travel between northern communities is restricted and residents are limited to travel within their local communities except for essential trips such as medical appointments.

The LLRIB imposed restrictions of its own at the end of March, with Chief Tammy Cook-searson and council passing an emergency measures bylaw to limit travel into band territory.

The emergency control group announced Saturday that people who had travelled to areas affected by outbreaks or out of the province should self-isolate for 14 days.

On Saturday, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron voiced support for closing provincial borders and monitoring travellers in and out of the province.

“If the border closures and monitoring started weeks ago, our North wouldn’t be in the fight of their lives to stop the numerous outbreaks,” Cameron said in a written statement. “Our leaders must be at the table with the Provincial Government. We must have a unified line of defence against this invisible enemy and the longer it takes to establish this the more lives remain in danger of COVID -19.”

The LLRIB’S election is set to occur May 26 with social distancing measures in place and electronic voting.