CALGARY — Linda Neilson had waited a long time to get her second COVID-19 vaccination and thanks to the generosity of the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana her wait ended at the Canada-United States border on Tuesday.

Neilson, who is from nearby Cardston, Alta., was in one of hundreds of vehicles lined up at the Carway crossing in southern Alberta.

The Blackfeet Tribe, based 150 kilometres south of Lethbridge, Alta., had an abundance of vaccine and decided last month to share it with Canada rather than let it go to waste. Initially it was just open to First Nations, but the tribe soon decided to offer it to everybody.

“I’m going to be all done, finally. It feels great. It’s been a bit of a wait, but it’s worth it,” said Neilson, who received her first shot of Moderna in March.

“I was amazed and grateful because it’s too slow getting it any other way. We’re just glad they were able to help us.”

Albertans who attend the clinic are given exemptions from having to quarantine for 14 days. They line up in their cars, drive through a loop that takes them just across the border, receive their shots through the window, are monitored for 15 minutes and return home.

Health workers from the Blackfeet Tribe and members of the Montana National Guard administer the vaccine.

Tuesday marked the second offering of shots. The lineup was more than a kilometre long by 9 a.m. Some people slept in their cars on the highway and on road allowances to ensure they got a turn before supply ran out.

That’s what happened to Ken Sawatzky when he drove from Calgary a couple of weeks ago. He wanted to get his booster shot because his wife is a cancer patient.

He drove down again Tuesday.

“She’s fully inoculated. This will make sure we’re both safe, because I’m her caregiver, too. I think it’s a great thing,” said Sawatzky.

“I’m looking forward to getting this done. I’ll sleep better.”

Bonnie Healy, health director for the Blackfoot Confederacy, helped co-ordinate the vaccination clinic. She said the response has been overwhelming.

“I had a hard time believing it was that hard to get a shot in Canada. A lot of people are coming for a second dose,” Healy said.

One man flew in from Toronto the last time around, drove to the site, got his shot and flew home, she said.

“We had a car full of 18-year-old girls and another car full of 18-year-old boys,” Healy said.

“They were all coming to get their first vaccination. They were all celebrating it.”

Catherine Bechard, regional Indigenous Affairs adviser for the Canada Border Services Agency, said she jumped at a chance to help out at the clinic.

“It’s just an amazing thing what they’re doing and a gift they’re giving to Canadians,” Bechard said.

Dave and Cathy Goodbrand also drove the 260 kilometres from Calgary to get their second shots.

“We’re happy to get down here. It’s a relief. Four months is too long to wait in between vaccines,” said Cathy Goodbrand.

“It’s absolutely beautiful. The Blackfoot Indians are just coming through (for us).”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2021

EDMONTON — It’s been nine months since the Edmonton Oilers last played post-season hockey, but players say the sting of last season still lingers. 

Last year’s playoff run was short-lived following a three-games-to-one defeat to the Chicago Blackhawks in the qualifying round.

“We didn’t get the result we wanted,” forward Connor McDavid said of last year’s defeat.

“We’ve learned lots of lessons with this group over the time I’ve been here. It’s time to put those to work.”

The team is nearly set to return to action with Game 1 of their first-round, best-of-seven series against the Winnipeg Jets set for Wednesday night at 7 p.m. MT. 

The teams met nine times in North Division regular season play, with the Oilers winning seven of those contests. 

“We have a pretty good idea of what they’re like and what they’re trying to do,” said McDavid. “It’s a race to four and that’s all that matters.

Despite the regular season dominance McDavid says his team isn’t taking the Jets lightly. 

“You hear lots of them talking about how they got to shut us down but we have to shut them down. Their transition game is as good as anyone. They’ve got a great power play. ” 

REGULAR SEASON ROLL

The Oilers had a strong regular season, finishing second in the North Division with 35 wins in 56 games, good for 72 points, five back of division winner Toronto. 

McDavid won the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top scorer, tallying 105 points over 56 games. 

Teammate Leon Draisaitl finished second in scoring with 84 points in 56 games. No other NHL player surpassed 70 points over the course of the season. 

“The expectations are a lot higher,” said defenceman Adam Larsson. 

“We have some star players on our squad so I think the expectations will always be there.” 

Aside from last year’s qualifying round series against Chicago, the Oilers’ last playoff appearance came in 2017. The team managed a six-game, first round win over the San Jose Sharks before falling in seven games to the Anaheim Ducks. 

“We’ve had a lot of guys who have played a lot of playoff games so I think we’re ready to go,” said Larsson. 

The team has been idle since Saturday after clinching a playoff spot two weeks ago, meaning the long wait continues until tomorrow night. 

“We’re really, really eager to get this going tomorrow,” said Larsson. 

“We’ve been sitting here waiting so we’re a hungry group that wants to get going right now.”

EDMONTON — Alberta’s chief medical officer of health reported 877 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday after nearly 8,100 tests.

This is the second day in a row Alberta has reported fewer than 1,000 new daily COVID-19 cases. The province’s current positivity rate is sitting at 11.4 per cent.

“This suggests that our public health measures are beginning to have an impact,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw. “But there is still more to do and we have a long way to go.”

There are currently 691 people in hospital, including 187 people in ICU, according to Hinshaw.

Hinshaw also reported that four more Albertans have died due to COVID-19, bringing the total to 2,152 deaths. 

Alberta has administered 2.24 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far. More than half of Albertans aged 12 and up have received their first dose, Hinshaw said.

“All Albertans will have the opportunity to get their second dose nearly three to four months after their first dose,” said Hinshaw.

“I know this wait can be frustrating, but first doses provide good protection and delaying the second doses is allowing us to vaccine the province as quickly as possible which helps protect all of us.”

Hinshaw highlighted the need to keep immunization rates up, adding that is the key to having public health restrictions eased.

“I know many people are anxious to get back to normal, we all are,” said Hinshaw. “Let’s use that as motivation over the next few weeks.”

The minister of education said in a statement Tuesday that there is a plan to return to in-person learning on May 25.

“However we will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed,” read a statement from Nicole Sparrow, press secretary to Education Minister Adriana LaGrange.

Hinshaw said that the shift to online learning recently was based “not on a public health driver but on operational consideration.”

When asked if she felt comfortable with her children returning to in-person learning next week, Hinshaw said: “Absolutely, yes.”

EDMONTON — RCMP are investigating a single-vehicle rollover near St. Albert that resulted in the death of a teenager on Monday afternoon.

Morinville RCMP received a 911 call about the rollover at 5:01 p.m. on Range Road 261 near Highway 633 in Sturgeon County.

Three 16-year-old girls were in the vehicle at the time of the rollover, according to RCMP.

RCMP said one of the passengers died at the scene. The driver and the other passenger were assessed at the scene and released.

“Morinville RCMP, along with the assistance of an RCMP Collision Reconstructionist, are investigating the cause of this fatality,” RCMP said in a press release.

They added no further updates were expected to be provided.

The girl who died in the rollover was identified as Shae-Lynn McGraw, a Grade 10 student at Bellerose Composite High School, by a spokesperson for St. Albert Public Schools.

“Our students mean so much to our schools, and are at the heart of all we do,” said Paula Powers. “Our thoughts are with Shae-Lynn’s family, friends, teachers and classmates. Very heavy hearts today.”

Powers added that additional counselling supports have been put in place and parents are being provided with resources and guidance to assist their children if needed.

“It’s difficult because students are learning online this week, but teachers will still be watching for signs of distress in students,” said Powers.

All division flags have been lowered in honour of McGraw, added Powers.

One day after a southeast Calgary pastor was arrested for holding a service deemed an illegal gathering, Alberta Health Services has ordered the church closed.

The notice of closure for the Fairview Baptist Church was posted by Alberta Health Services on Monday. On Sunday, pastor Tim Stephens was arrested.

Officials say the Sunday gathering did not comply with public health orders requiring masking, physical distancing, and attendance limits.

The gathering also went against a Court of Queen’s Bench order granting Alberta Health Services (AHS) an injunction against public gatherings that do not comply with public health orders, police say.

“There were between 100 and 150 people observed leaving the church at the conclusion of the service on May 16,” read the AHS report.

“The pastor and church attendees were observed unmasked as they were leaving the church. The church attendees were not maintaining at least two meters physical distance from other households when exiting the building.”

Police say they did not enter the church during the service on Sunday.

The church, located at 230 78th Avenue S.E. is to remain closed until Stephens can demonstrate that gatherings can be held while adhering to health rules. 

Stephens was the fourth religious leader in Alberta to be arrested for organizing gatherings which broke public health restrictions.

Artur Pawlowski and his brother Dawid Pawlowski were arrested by CPS last week, and James Coates of GraceLife Church outside Edmonton was arrested in February.

The church has been found to be in violation of the public health act on numerous occasions this year, including tickets and fines being issued.

Read the AHS order below: