This checkpoint has been set up outside Pinehouse Lake. (Pinehouse Lake, Saskatchewan/Facebook)

By Derek Cornet

pandemic precaution

Northern communities installing checkpoints, initiating local lockdowns

Mar 23, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Residents of Pinehouse Lake and Pelican Narrows have both initiated checkpoints leading into their communities as a precaution against COVID-19.

This afternoon Pinehouse Administrator Martine Smith announced on a community Facebook page the village was hiring two security night workers. In all, she wrote there would be four people working 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. shifts with one week on, one week off for two months.

“These persons will be security at the checkpoint,” Smith posted. “Licence would be an asset. Training would be an asset. Must be drug-free. Must follow all required safety measures.”

Those hired for the position will be told later tonight, she wrote.

Another checkpoint has been established at the second bridge entering the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation community of Pelican Narrows to ensure a local lockdown is enforced. Coun. Weldon McCallum wrote on Facebook the lockdown began March 21 at 12 a.m. and will continue until further notice. All residents are required to stay inside during the hours of 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.

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“This means that local residents that are in the community are not allowed to leave Pelican Narrows Indian Reserve 184B and 206,” McCallum posted. “For locals returning from outside communities, do proceed in self-isolation at home for 14 days. Moreover, local members returning back to the community will also not be allowed to leave the community.”

Last week, Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation placed a travel ban on the community and also announced financial assistance for band members.

larongeNOW reached out to Smith and McCallum for comment, but didn’t receive a response.

In a press released issued over the weekend, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nation (FSIN) executive called on Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe to immediately close provincial borders.

“Some First Nations have already exercised their autonomy by closing their borders and are limiting traffic in and out of their communities. We are calling on this Saskatchewan government to do the same” FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said. “The traffic on our highways coming in and out of the provincial borders continues to put everyone in Saskatchewan at unnecessary risk. Travelers from all over Canada continue to travel into Saskatchewan and could be unknowingly transmitting COVID-19.”

The release also stated FSIN executive and staff continue to work remotely, seven days per week to communicate information to their 74 member First Nations. A COVID-19 Emergency Response Team with the federation is working closely with provincial and federal partners on a daily basis, it noted.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno