FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

COVID concerns

FSIN encouraging vigilance, as province rolls out plan to re-open

Apr 24, 2020 | 2:00 PM

The Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) admits he has concerns about moving too fast.

Bobby Cameron spoke with paNOW about the provincial government’s plan to re-open Saskatchewan. As a father and grandparent, Cameron said he would prefer waiting a bit longer before discussing plans which may impact people’s safety.

“Let’s wait two weeks. If there’s no new cases in two weeks and if there are a lot more recoveries in those two weeks, then we are beating this COVID-19,” he said.

Cameron explained he trusts the work of the experts who analyze the data, but added the reality is there are some people who will always try to push the boundaries.

According to provincial numbers on Thursday, there have been 331 cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, with 62 coming from the North, and 22 from the Far North. Earlier this month, the FSIN called on the provincial government to close all liquor stores, explaining it would help curb the number of large social gatherings (house parties).

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“There’s been incurred charges during this pandemic and that’s because liquor stores have remained open,” Cameron said.

The FSIN represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, and a number of those communities have in the past few weeks taken extra precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the forms of curfews and check stops. Cameron says the FSIN supports the first nations who choose to keep their borders closed.

“Continue to stay vigilant, continue to stay home, what’s another month or two months out of our lives,” Cameron said.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell