Indigenous organization criticizes handling of checkpoints

BEAUVAL, SASK. An Indigenous group in Saskatchewan is criticizing the province’s management of checkpoints that are meant to protect northern communities experiencing outbreaks of COVID-19.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron said in a news release that the province was quick to take over local checkpoints, but his group is now getting calls that officers are stopping northerners from travelling south to get groceries.

Beauval Mayor Nick Daigneault said in the release that he was assured by the government that community members would be allowed to travel for groceries after their only grocery store was closed due to COVID-19.

Chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab expressed concern last week about an outbreak of COVID-19 in La Loche, a Dene village about 600 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, and the health authority has also declared an outbreak in Beauval.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency said in an email that travel within the northern region is allowed for residents, but that people should not travel for food or medical care if it’s already available within their own community.

The email conceded that not all checkpoints are staffed 24/7, but that they have permanent signage.

“Limiting non-essential travel helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 into communities throughout the province,” the government email stated.

Daigneault said his community had hired its own security companies to monitor the checkpoints, but said the government came in “hard, fast and very disorganized.”

“The province says they want to work with us, but our input and efforts are being ignored,” he said.