Employees, service providers, and users of Chiniki Nation facilities will be required to have proof of full vaccination by Oct. 29.

At a Sept. 21 meeting, Chief Aaron Young and council agreed to enforce the need for full vaccination to protect the health of its people.

Before this, proof of at least a single dose of the COVID vaccine was required by Sept. 30.

Those unwilling to provide proof of vaccination must take two COVID rapid tests weekly at their own expense, and provide test results.

The decision follows in the footsteps of the Bearspaw Nation that required all staff, employees, and contractors to show proof of receiving at least their first COVID-19 vaccination shot by Sept. 27.

As of Oct. 1, there were four known active cases of the virus in the Stoney Nakoda Nation. The death of 11 residents is attributed to COVID-19.