Opaskwayak Cree Nation declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID 19 Outbreak.

Chief Christian Sinclair spoke to Arctic Radio and said over 60 percent of OCN’s population has diabetes and other chronic diseases, a care home with long-term residents, and overcrowded homes.

The state of emergency was declared with these people in mind and to protect all members from the virus.

As part of this preventive measure Opaskwayak Cree Nation will be providing sanitary kits to households on reserve and to members living in the Tri Area the deliveries will be carried out on Monday starting with the elders homes.

OCN has also set up an emergency line at the Beatrice Wilson Health Centre, 204-627-7043 Nurse Michelle Stoltz is monitoring the line.