Siksika First Nation members denied access to local businesses due to COVID-19 cases: Hinshaw
Posted Jul 14, 2020 8:57 pm.
Last Updated Jul 15, 2020 6:09 am.
EDMONTON (660 NEWS) — Alberta’s top doctor has received reports of Siksika First Nation members who were recently denied from entering local businesses as a result of recent cases being reported in their community.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, said this isn’t the first time she has heard these types of reports surrounding COVID-19 but was troubled to hear about the discrimination.
“I know that Albertans of Chinese or other ethnic heritage and some religious groups have also at times been singled out and discriminated against,” Hinshaw said.
“COVID-19 doesn’t care where people come from or what a person’s heritage may be. The virus is not restricted to any particular race, region or community.”
Hinshaw commended the action taken by leaders of the community who were quick, transparent and proactive to prevent spread of the virus.
Thank you @CMOH_Alberta for advocating for Siksikawa today. We will fight stigma with kindness. We continue to proactively respond to COVID-19 in our community while showing compassion to those surrounding communities. #SiksikaStrong pic.twitter.com/enUzVc8THz
— Siksika Nation (@Siksika_Nation) July 14, 2020
“When the result of that prompt and transparent action is stigma against their members, it sends a message against transparency and risks discouraging people from being tested or cooperating with public health,” Hinshaw said.
“The members of the Siksika First Nation deserve better than that. All Albertans of every heritage deserve better than that.”
Health officials work closely with the communities and facilities that publicly report cases to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health, Hinshaw added.
As of Monday, Siksika Nation has 11 active cases. Out of 28 total cases, 17 have recovered.
