Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation's distribution centre. (Facebook)

By Angela Brown

COVID-19 support

Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation helping members with food, supply distribution during pandemic

Jan 28, 2021 | 4:18 PM

Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, located North East of the Battlefords, is providing support for its community, including helping the vulnerable and those self-isolating, to access essential items – food products and other supplies – during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The nation recently started their own distribution centre, handing out hundreds of care packages to their members.

Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc. director of communications Alexis Christensen commended the community via Facebook, saying thanks to everyone involved for doing a “great job,” and “for all you do on the frontlines.”

“All of our nations have been working non-stop during this pandemic. Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation hasn’t wavered on their commitment to their community,” she said. “They provide education, support, food security, cleaning kits, protective equipment and so much more.”

Darryl Peekeekoot, pandemic planning coordinator for Ahtahkakoop, said the distribution initiative is providing great support to the community.

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“We have community members hired to help with the distribution of cleaning supplies and food hampers, to promote staying at home and reduce travel to help limit the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

“When we did find a positive case within the community, the pandemic team, various departments and their staff worked together to isolate the spread of human-to-human transmissions within our reserve by monitoring and ensuring our positive and close contact cases remain within their homes,” Peekeekoot said. “We in turn encouraged members in isolation to stay home by providing groceries and other supplies that were needed for the isolation period.”

He said they are grateful for the partnerships with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Health Canada and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to help with the ongoing fight against COVID-19.

“Funding and resources from our partners have been instrumental in ensuring we are able to have the staff in place to assist with meeting the needs of our community,” Peekeekoot said.

Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation Chief Larry Ahenakew reminded members in a recent update to continue to follow protocols to help stop the spread of COVID-19, including not sharing pipes, cigarettes or beverages, and to sanitize after using “high-touch” areas such as ATMs and debit machines, for example.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW