(The Canadian Press)

By Nigel Maxwell

Healthy communities

FSIN presses federal government to make First Nations a priority for the COVID vaccine

Dec 2, 2020 | 5:00 PM

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine is still months away, but the organization that represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan wants to make sure its members have a place reserved in line.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Executive wants First Nations to be on the priority list. FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron explained First Nations people have an Inherent and Treaty Right to Health, adding the Medicine Chest Clause clearly dictates First Nations people can expect the COVID-19 vaccines to be readily available in their communities once they have been shipped out.

“That’s our way of saying to the government we are implementing one of our basic treaty rights to health and this is it,” he said.

While the FSIN has been vocal since day one of the pandemic to get a vaccine, Cameron explained he has yet to hear a firm commitment from the federal government that the treaty agreement will be honoured.

“The Prime Minister said no relationship is more important than the one with First Nations people, but we are not included in their discussions with the Province about who is prioritized and most vulnerable,” he said.

RPCN Artist

'Felt like a movie': Chris Chipak making waves in the art world

14h ago

Russia-Ukraine War

In a first, President Biden gives green light for Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles in Russia

Nov 17, 2024

Riderville

Shades of 2007

Nov 15, 2024

Cameron added being excluded from these life-altering discussions shows that First Nations are not a priority for either government.

Meanwhile, Vice Chief David Pratt, who is still recovering after testing positive for COVID-19, noted First Nations communities have higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, asthma and other health conditions that put them at an even higher risk of serious complications or even life-threatening problems if they contract COVID-19.

“These elders and vulnerable community members must be the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. It must go directly to the First Nation as soon as possible to ensure that these vulnerable members are protected,” he said. Pratt added that every day they go without this vaccine, their lives and the lives of their communities’ most vulnerable are at exceptional risk.

“We have a limited window to get these vaccines into our communities. We must move now,” he said.

According to Tuesday’s update from the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA), there were 306 active cases of COVID-19 in NITHA communities.

These cases were located in the Far North Central, Athabasca (22), Far North West (80), Far North East (117), North Central (36), and North East (51).

NITHA is comprised of the Prince Albert Grand Council, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, and Lac La Ronge Indian Band.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell