Northern leaders are speaking out over what they say is unfair treatment and disrespect from Conservation Officers manning northern checkpoints.
Concern is raised by many that CO’s are misinterpreting the public health order on travel restrictions and need to purchase essential goods and what is deemed essential travel.
“It disturbs me that the North is being discriminated against and treated unfairly. We were not consulted despite what the Provincial Health Order states,” said Canoe Lake Cree First Nation Chief Francis Iron.
“These officers have free interpretation of the Public Health Order and a complete lack of respect towards the leadership of the North. I was denied access through the checkpoint while trying to drive to Flying Dust First Nation near Meadow Lake. Our First Nation primary cheque signatory lives in Flying Dust and our families on social assistance and the First Nation payroll depend on those cheques and we need to pay our bills. These officers also have no regard of what an essential service for northerners is.”
The Treaty Ten Pandemic Council of the North West Communities Incident Response Team wrote to Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Saqib Shahab stating there has been a lack of consultation on the public health order, limiting northern travel. People authorized to leave by leadership are being denied and food security.
“This Public Health Order is also restricting essential services to our community. We strongly believe that shopping for groceries in Meadow Lake is essential for our communities because there are shortages of goods and services all over the North and we are being forced into positions that make our communities even more vulnerable,” said English River First Nation Chief Jerry Bernard.
“My community members are being threatened to be charged by officers if on their ‘essential trip,’ they try to bring groceries back through the security checkpoints. This ignorant, disrespectful and threatening treatment must stop immediately.”
Metis Nation-Saskatchewan President Glen McCallum is calling for cooperation and more respectful treatment.
Premier Scott Moe said he is aware of the concerns and is following up on an individual basis.
(Photo: Checkpoint established near La Ronge. Credit Sam Campling.)