Canadian Rangers are taking a leading role in three northern communities. (submitted photo/Canadian Rangers)

By Derek Cornet

first responders

Northern Canadian Rangers assisting with COVID-19 relief efforts in Sask.

Apr 16, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Three Canadian Ranger Patrols in northern Saskatchewan are providing support to their communities, alongside local officials, during the Canadian Armed Forced Operation LASER COVID-19 relief efforts.

Members of the Wollaston Lake and Île-à-la-Crosse Canadian Ranger Patrols responded to requests for assistance this month from the province’s emergency management office. In Wollaston Lake, rangers are currently working with the Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation to assist community members by delivering firewood and food, as well as helping the staff at the community’s emergency response centre.

“We’ve been helping community members by delivering packages, hauling wood and grocery shopping for people under quarantine,” said Patrol Commander Jean Tsannie, who has been with the rangers for close to 10 years. “We put it on their doorstep and the individual whoever is under quarantine, we notify them their stuff is on their doorstep and they can take it inside.”

In Île-à-la-Crosse, rangers are supporting their community by assisting officials with the distribution of supplies for people in isolation, setting up and staffing their emergency response centre, and delivering wood and food to locals in isolation. Rangers in Fond du Lac have largely been tasked with the same jobs.

Tsannie said in Wollaston Lake residents have been supportive of the work they have been doing. She noted locals have been honking their horns and thanking members for helping out.

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“We, as the Canadian Rangers in Wollaston Lake, every time there is a need in the community we come as one and support one another and support the community,” Tsannie said. “That was our main goal and we’ve been doing that. All the rangers are willing to do it … and we’re proud of what we do.”

Canadian Rangers are doing everything from hauling wood to delivering groceries. (submitted photo/Canadian Rangers)

Operation LASER is the Canadian Armed Forced response to the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. There are currently more than 200 members of the 4^th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group who are on standby and ready to support local requests for assistance as needed.

“I am proud that our Canadian Rangers are ready and willing to respond to provide unique support to municipal officials during ongoing community relief efforts for COVID-19,” Russ Meades, the commanding officer of the 4^th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, said.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno