The Saskatoon Tribal Council is not on board with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the James Smith Cree Nation trying to purchase vaccines on behalf of First Nations people.
STC Tribal Chief Mark Arcand states that the Chiefs of its seven member First Nations have the autonomy and sovereignty rights, including the right to speak on behalf of its own First Nations.
He finds it concerning that the FSIN and the James Smith Cree nation have made attempts to secure vaccines without the consent and approval of the STC Chiefs and their communities.
Arcand says the Chiefs of the Saskatoon Tribal Council do not support this and have made a commitment to work with Indigenous Services Canada on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in their communities, following the Saskatchewan Health Authority guidelines and procurement processes.