The Chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council said more money needs to be invested in emergency shelters in that community to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among vulnerable people.
Mark Arcand estimates there are thousands of vulnerable First Nations people in Saskatoon living without adequate resources during the pandemic.
“If they get infected or catch this virus, they could potentially go back to their First Nations communities where there’s more vulnerable people due to health concerns, due to overcrowding, due to all of our elder could be devastating to our communities,” said Arcand.
The province recently announced $171,000 for ten emergency shelters and that Social Services was identifying unused social housing.
“Our government is committed to providing supports to vulnerable citizens in Saskatchewan through this time of uncertainty,” Social Services Minister Paul Merriman said.
The STC is supporting its membership through twice daily home delivered meal service to encourage people to stay home.
Arcand predicts the meals prepared through the White Buffalo Youth Lodge to reach 500 homes this week.
The needle exchange program is still being operated and clients are being referred to mental health supports.
Yet while vulnerable people have difficulty accessing shelter and other supports Arcand is worried that enforcement of social distancing could become a problem.
“It is concerning, but I think if there is an awareness from the police and everybody else to educate them on that piece, because they may not know. That education factor could go a long way to support that process,” explained Arcand.
Premier Scott Moe says the intent of law enforcement on social distancing is to encourage compliance and not fine based.