Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) reserves are locking down out of precaution due to increased risk of COVID-19.
Two new cases of COVID-19 have been reported by the provincial government in the far north east region. Neither was found in any areas near Flin Flon.
Both cases were reported in the Far North East 1 zone that includes La Ronge, Southend, Pinehouse and other nearby communities. The province has not announced any new cases in the Far North East 2 zone, which includes Flin Flon, Saskatchewan, Creighton, Denare Beach, Pelican Narrows, Sandy Bay and Deschambault Lake.
According to a PBCN memo to member communities issued late Oct. 7, all reserves under PBCN jurisdiction - Amiskosakihikan in Denare Beach, Deschambault Lake, Kinoosao, Pelican Narrows, Sandy Bay, Southend and Sturgeon Landing - will be locked down following a possible exposure to COVID-19 at a funeral in Pelican Narrows and a wide-ranging possible exposure in Prince Albert.
Community security officers will search vehicles heading into the reserves. Any drivers refusing a search will not be allowed onto the reserves.
“You will not be allowed entry unless you agree to a search and if [there is] failure to abide, RCMP will be called,” reads the memo. No non-PBCN band members or non-residents will be allowed entry to reserves, with the exception of a small number of essential services groups. Security officers have been supplied a list of which groups are allowed in, specially created by PBCN officials. Roadblocks will be active heading into each community.
Members of PBCN communities will be able to leave and return to their home reserve to pick up food and vital supplies, or to access emergency medical care or attend medical appointments - but only during certain times. The exact days and times have not yet been publicly specified.
According to the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA), there are four active cases of COVID-19 in the Far North East zone, which includes Denare Beach, Deschambault Lake, Pelican Narrows, Southend and other Indigenous communities. NITHA and the province do not use the same zones for mapping COVID-19 cases. Communities in both the province's Far North East 2 zone and NITHA's Far North East zone include Brabant Lake, Southend and other smaller communities including Kitsaki, Hatchet Lake, Grandmother's Bay and series of communities near La Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.
Several schools in PBCN - the Kistapiskaw School and Kimosom Pwatinahk Collegiate in Deschambault Lake, Wapanacak and Wapawikoscikan Schools in Pelican Narrows and Hector Thiboutot Community School in Sandy Bay - have been temporarily shut down for cleaning and sanitization.
RCMP detachments in Deschambault Lake, Pelican Narrows and Southend have limited access to detachment buildings to fit along with the new community guidelines. Front-desk services at the three detachments will only be available for emergency services starting Thursday.
"We understand people who live in smaller, remote communities are worried about the spread of COVID-19. We share this concern and are taking these measures to do our part to protect the communities," reads a Saskatchewan RCMP statement.
