Grand Council Treaty #3 Requests Manitoba Residents and Cottagers Stay Home

The Office of the Ogichidaa and Grand Council Treaty 3 are adding their voices to the plea of many First Nation communities that cottagers remain at their primary residences at this time. Echoing the concerns of MPP Rickford, over this past weekend there was an alarming number of Manitoba residents entering the Kenora region to open up camps and cottages which increases the risk of spread of COVID-19. This is occurring despite the Canada-wide advisory to avoid travel – especially interprovincial travel.

The Treaty 3 region, and Northwestern Ontario as a whole, already experiences a lack of health care capacity. A sudden influx of cottagers, should it occur simultaneously with an outbreak in the region, would further strain the health care system and endanger everyone in the region.

We respectfully advise that people remain home and avoid travelling, both for their own safety and that of local residents. This includes people within the Treaty 3 region that travelsignificant distances to secondary residences. The risk is simplynot worth it; in order to combat this virus, we must all do our part to stop its movement. The virus only moves when people move and the greatest contribution individuals can make is to stay in place – to stay home – and that means keeping cottages and camps closed for the time being.

The more people stay where they are to contain the spread of this virus, the sooner we can flatten the curve and make the Treaty 3 territory safe once again for all of us to share and enjoy. To help us in this effort, please stay home this coming weekend.

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For more information:
Dan Morriseau
Political Advisor
Grand Council Treaty #3
PO Box 1720, Kenora, ON P9N 3X7
Phone: (807) 464-2647
Website: www.gct3.ca