Saskatoon Tribal Chief looks to future as SaskTel Centre vaccination clinic winds down

Tribal Chief Mark Arcand says he's proud of the work that's been done at the Saskatoon Tribal Council's vaccination centre.

Since the clinic opened its doors in April, Arcand estimates roughly 25,000 people have received their shots at the SaskTel Centre arena.

"I'm overwhelmed with the success," said Arcand.

"We tried to do our part as the Saskatoon Tribal Council and give back to the community and be really good neighbours and good relationship builders and good partners."

The clinic was opened thanks to a contract with Indigenous Services Canada that will expire at the end of July. However, Arcand is hopeful another contract may be signed for a smaller location.

"We have to keep the drive going for people to keep getting vaccinated, to keep pushing our herd immunity up," he said.

"So, we'll do our part to see what we can do."

Arcand said the clinic has received dozens of positive emails and even handwritten notes from vaccinated people who were pleased with the experience. 

He said the clinic always tried to make the vaccination process as gentle as possible, often calling people by name and offering golf carts to elderly people.

"We help all people," he said.

"The age didn't matter, the gender didn't matter, what nationality or from what race you are from. We help everyone."

Ultimately, Arcand said he's happy that his tribal council was given the opportunity to provide such a vital service.

"I think we broke barriers when we had an indigenous organisation like the Saskatoon Tribal Council providing a health service to everyone in our city," he said.

"I think that's a great accomplishment for everyone."

The STC vaccination clinic will be open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. The clinic will be closed on July 12 and 16 due to events booked at SaskTel Centre.

The clinic will close its doors for the last time on Friday, July 30, at 1 p.m. CST.