Surgical mask donation in Siksika

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

Siksika business owner, Gordon Red Crow, has donated 1,200 FDA approved surgical masks to Siksika and the Siksika Elders Lodge to help protect nation members in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Red Crow, who owns and operates the Siksika Convenience Store and Gas Bar along with the Siksika Arcade, secured an order of 3,000 FDA approved surgical masks and decided to give back to the community that supports him.
“We got our order (and) are giving back to Siksika,” said Red Crow. “Due to COVID-19 we have donated 1,000 masks to Siksika and 200 masks to Siksika Elders Lodge. The masks are a vital product in protecting our nation members,” he said.
Red Crow, who opened his businesses in 2017, recently expanded on March 15 to also provide fuel at the gas bar and sell lottery tickets, just weeks before non-essential businesses in Alberta were ordered to close.
Although the Siksika Arcade had to close, the convenience store and gas bar remain open.
Despite seeing a sales downturn of over 40 per cent at the convenience store and gas bar, Red Crow noted they still receive enough business to be able to help provide essentials donations to the community, and hope to continue doing so with support from customers.
“We are so thankful that land management and chief and council gave us this opportunity to accept a new private business on the reserve … it was a family decision to always support the community. Without this business venture it would be difficult to give donations back to the community,” said Red Crow.
The 1,000 masks to Siksika were donated on April 8 and 200 masks were donated to the Siksika Elders Lodge on April 13.