STC Invites All to Join Combined Effort Providing Saskatoon Families with COVID-19 Necessities

Press Release

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020 – The Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) is inviting other community organizations, businesses and all governments to join them and their partners in providing families with food and other COVID-19 emergency necessities such as cleaning kits, women’s hygiene and activity kits for children.

“The ability to practice social distancing is a luxury not available to everybody,” says Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) Tribal Chief Mark Arcand. “Together, we’re feeding families and making it easier for them to keep themselves and their community safe as directed by the Saskatchewan Medical Health officer. We hope you’ll join us.”

Operated through the White Buffalo Youth Lodge, they have been preparing and delivering 2 meals to 300 households 5 days a week since Saskatchewan declared a State of Emergency on March 18. Due to demand from families, next week STC will be increasing their delivery from 300 to 500 households which approximately equates to 3000 people being fed per day. The meals are prepared from 4 locations – White Buffalo Youth Lodge, Sion Facility (STC’s secondary office), the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation and at Mount Royal High School (Saskatoon Public Schools).

Their food security initiative is being delivered alongside some non-traditional partners including the

Saskatoon Wildlife Federation. Other partners include:

• Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations
• Nutrien
• Saskatoon Community Action Alliance
• Saskatoon Paramedic Association
• Saskatoon Public Schools
• Saskatoon Co-op
• Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation
• Province of Saskatchewan – Ministry of Education
• DCG Philanthropic Services
• Anonymous donations

The effort by the partners includes providing resources such as food, money, people and space. “While this is a difficult and challenging time for the world, I am humbled by the way partners have shown up to support families to stay home and be safe in Saskatoon. We have pulled this together in a small amount of time with a team of people who are dedicated to ensuring safety for everyone. What we’re doing here goes beyond just feeding families. We’re helping to provide them with the peace of mind that comes with knowing you did everything you could to protect the health of everybody in your home,” says Chief Arcand.

Any organizations or individuals interested in joining their efforts are encouraged to contact Tribal Chief Mark Arcand at 306.956.6100 or email at markarcand@sktc.sk.ca

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