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RCMP told by chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations to stay off reserve land

Wednesday, 13 May 2020 18:22

Emotions are beginning to escalate during the covid-19 pandemic amongst some First nations in Saskatchewan.

The chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations is telling the R-C-M-P to stay off reserve land after armed officers were dispatched to break up a sacred ceremony.

Chief Bobby Cameron says public health orders do not superseded First Nations laws and treaties, and ceremony must be respected.

Last weekend, about 35 people took part in a three-day sun-dance ceremony organized by  elder Clay Sutherland on the Beardy's and Okemasis (oh-KEY'-may-sihs) Cree Nation, about 90 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.

A public health order in Saskatchewan limits gatherings to 10 people.

Sutherland says Mounties came to stop the ceremony on Sunday.

While no one was arrested or ticketed, Sutherland says it was a reminder of the decades when ceremonies was outlawed and forced underground.

 

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