The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations has declared a state of emergency because of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan.
In a statement, FSIN chief Bobby Cameron outlined the gravity of the situation faced by First Nations in the province.
"Many of our First Nations are not prepared for this COVID-19 pandemic as it continues to escalate in our region," said Cameron. "Some of our 74 member First Nations do not have health services or access to necessary supplies and medicines to combat the spread of COVID-19 and cases are continuing to increase across the province. The extreme challenges we are already facing at the First Nations level are being heavily and continuously compounded every day."
Cameron went on in his statement to say that resources in their communities are "stretched beond capacity" and that bands have not seen funds or supplies come to their First Nations. They have also fielded requests from off-reserve members who are struggling in urban centres as well.
