The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations executive is urging the province and the RCMP to ramp up efforts to help curb the spread of COVID-19 on the Buffalo River Dene Nation in the province’s northwest. FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron believes the virus is spreading due to the lack of public health orders and lack of enforcement by the RCMP to ensure those who test positive stay in isolation. Cameron says Chief Elmer Campbell and his health staff are running out of options and the death of the Dene Nation’s most vulnerable could rise, unless reinforcements are brought in by the government and the RCMP. He understands many people have ‘COVID fatigue’ but urges community members to get vaccinated and continue to follow safety protocols like wearing a mask, practicing ceremony safely and isolating if you test positive.

Meadow Lake Tribal Council Tribal Chief Richard Ben says, “They need more health support staff and they also need the RCMP to step in to enforce health and safety protocols to ensure gatherings are stopped and COVID-19 is taken seriously.