Smoke-Free Reserve Not About to Judge Others

Smoke-Free Reserve Not About to Judge Others

Tuesday, January 04, 2005 at 15:42

The chief of a smoke-free First Nation has no problem with other reserves that don’t comply with the new smoking ban in the province.

The new law came into effect on January 1st, and bans smoking in all indoor public places in Saskatchewan.

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band made all its public buildings smoke-free some time ago, but chief Harry Cook doesn’t feel it’s his place to tell other First Nations what they should do about the issue.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says it’s a jurisdictional issue, and has indicated several reserves and some native casinos don’t plan on abiding with the new law.

Cook agrees with the FSIN that First Nations’ jurisdiction takes precedence on this issue.