Saskatchewan

Fence set up in front of Regina INAC office where protesters rally

In the latest development since protests began, a fence has been set up in front of the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada office in Regina.

Protesters demand action to address youth suicides in aboriginal communities

A fence was set up in front of Regina's Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada office on April 19. (Glenn Reid/CBC)

Ongoing protests in front of Regina's Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada office on Albert Street have been followed by a physical barrier being set up.

A fence had been erected in front of the building on Tuesday morning, providing some space between the protesters and the entrance.

INAC offices across the country are closed to the public as protesters continue an occupation that began last week.

The protesters are demanding more be done to address youth suicides in aboriginal communities, including Attawapiskat in Ontario and Cross Lake in Manitoba.

Protesters in Regina camp out in front of the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada office. (Glenn Reid/CBC)

In Regina, protest organizers call the barricade more than symbolic. They say it's a sign of shutting out the people INAC is paid to serve.

Robyn Pitawanakwat is one of the protest organizers.

"It shows us that regardless of what the communities want, regardless of what the people want, the people in power make the decisions," Pitawanakwat said. "As long as they're against us, there will continue to be walls up, there will continue to be barricades."

The protesters accused the property manager of calling the police Tuesday morning to have them removed from the property. Soon after, they claim, the fence was set up.

There has been no comment from INAC on the Regina situation.

In a news release, INAC said while the offices are closed to the public, they are operating.