Stanley Mission students will begin the school year with online learning. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

COVID-19

LLRIB offers $300 COVID vaccine incentive, Stanley Mission students to begin classes online

Aug 31, 2021 | 5:00 PM

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) is offering $300 to band members who are fully vaccinated.

That’s according to a public noticed released Monday which states the COVID vaccine incentive is open to those who have received two doses of vaccine, is over the age of 12 and is residing in either Air Ronge, Hall Lake, La Ronge, La Ronge 156/Kitaski 156B, and Sucker River.

“La Ronge Internal Council is encouraging all LLRIB band members to be fully vaccinated,” the release states. “This incentive is given to increase vaccination rates and to combat COVID-19.”

Those who qualify will need to fill out an incentive application form, as well as send in a photo of a vaccine certificate from the Saskatchewan Health Authority or Jeannie Bird Clinic. The deadline to apply for the vaccine incentive is Dec. 31.

The releases noted the communities of Grandmother’s Bay, Little Red and Stanley Mission all have their own vaccine incentives.

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According to available data from Lac La Ronge Indian Band Health Services, vaccine uptake varies widely between communities as of Aug. 25. In Grandmother’s Bay, 77 per cent of residents have received one dose while 59 per cent have received a second.

Vaccine uptake in other communities are Hall Lake with 47 per cent and 32 per cent, Kitsaki with 47 per cent and 27 per cent, and Sucker River with 74 per cent and 54 per cent. The immunization target is 85 per cent.

Online learning for Stanley Mission students

In letter released Aug. 31 to Stanley Mission families, it was announced that given the current outbreak situation in the community, leadership has determined the appropriate option is to implement online learning for both local schools.

“All classes for online learning will start Sept. 7 with students returning to in-school classes on Oct. 12,” the letter states. “The situation will be reassessed on Sept. 30.”

As of Aug. 30, there are 83 active COVID-19 cases in LLRIB communities with 78 in Stanley Mission and five in La Ronge (on-reserve). There has been a sharp increase of cases in Stanley Mission in the last two weeks, with dozens confirmed to be the Delta variant.

Masking at both schools will continue to be mandatory until staff and eligible students reach an 80 per cent vaccination rate. The goal is to have all students attend school in-person safely.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno