Members of the Canadian Rangers and volunteers have been sent to Deer Lake First Nation, north of Red Lake, to help the community manage a major COVID-19 outbreak.
The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority says as of March 24, Deer Lake First Nation has 121 active cases of COVID-19. Throughout the entire pandemic, the community has only seen a total of 324 cases.
Canada’s Minister of Emergency Preparedness, Bill Blair, says Ottawa has approved a request from the provincial government to send members of the Canadian Rangers into Deer Lake First Nation until at least April 2.
As well, Team Rubicon volunteers, also known as ‘Grey shirts’, are working with community leaders and the Canadian Rangers on the supply and distribution of essential goods in the community, which includes firewood needed to heat homes.
Before the additional supports were announced, the NDP’s Indigenous Treaty and Relations Critic, Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa, called on the province to assist Deer Lake with their COVID-19 outbreak, noting isolation requirements are affecting about a quarter of their population.
Deer Lake First Nation is located about 180 kilometres north of Red Lake, with an on-reserve population of roughly 1,100. It’s only accessible by air and by ice roads in the winter months through Sandy Lake First Nation and North Spirit Lake First Nation.