Covid-19 Daily News Digest – September 30, 2020
Manitoba First Nation bans travel to Winnipeg due to COVID-19 spike
In response to the case, the Tataskweyak Cree Nation said it has placed a travel ban to Winnipeg, except for medical reasons, adding medical appointments will continue as scheduled. In the statement, the First Nation said non-residents will not be allowed to visit the community for two weeks. The First Nation said community members and residents will still be allowed to travel to Thompson.
Investigations launched after Atikamekw woman records Quebec hospital staff uttering slurs before her death
As she lay dying in a Joliette, Que., hospital bed, an Atikamekw woman clicked her phone on and broadcast a Facebook Live video appearing to show her being insulted and sworn at by hospital staff.
Joyce Echaquan’s death on Monday prompted an immediate outcry from her home community of Manawan, about 250 kilometres north of Montreal, and has spurred unusually quick and decisive action on the part of the provincial government.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-atikamekw-joliette-1.5743449
‘Violence against indigenous women growing due to culture of impunity’
She said three “indigenous” women became victims of rape or physical harassment in between September 14 to 24 in Khagrachari and Moulvibazar. She said violence and harassment against indigenous women has taken a violent shape during the time of Covid-19 pandemic.
Robaet Ferdous questioned why rape incidents are taking place in such high numbers in independent Bangladesh.
“Violence against indigenous women is a state tool which is a part to eliminate indigenous people,” he added.
Eric Melillo Deeply Concerned over Northern First Nations Under COVID-19
Eric Melillo is “deeply concerned” that the Liberal government may be walking back its promise to end all boil water advisories by March of next year. “This public health crisis is underscoring the urgency of these issues and the need to act quickly,” Melillo charges. “I urge the government to make sure Indigenous and Northern communities are prioritized and given what they need to survive and thrive through this crisis. They have waited far too long.”
Keep health card addresses up to date, MKO urges
“With rising cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba, the ability to track the location of positive cases is essential to ensuring that robust public health measures are in place to respond to the virus,” said Lavallee. “We are now seeing the second wave of the pandemic. I want to encourage all First Nations residents in Manitoba to ensure the information on their health card is current. This will help ensure that First Nations have correct information about the location(s) of positive cases of COVID-19.”
Sixties Scoop survivors receive COVID packages
Survivor engagements have been held, and there was a Western Canadian National Gathering in Manitou Springs, SK in May 2019. TV documentaries, and anti-racism events also allow survivors to share their stories and heal.
A few of the items in the COVID package included comfort blankets, information on COVID-19, the phone number for the Hope For Wellness Hotline, masks, gloves, sanitizer, a case of bottled water, a Walmart gift card, and recipe for beach and water to make sanitizer.
Indigenous activists occupy Petroperu pipeline facilities over healthcare demands
More than 100 indigenous activists in Peru´s Amazon occupied infrastructure belonging to the state-run Petroperú pipeline, the company said on Tuesday, demanding improved social benefits and health care in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.Peru has recorded more than 800,000 cases of COVID-19, the second-highest number in Latin America and sixth-highest globally.The Petroperú pipeline transports crude oil from the northern jungle of Peru to its refinery on the Pacific coast.
Madahbee Leach featured in online panel on Indigenous economic strategies
“We decided we should have the pen in developing this strategy,” Madahbee Leach said.
And that’s exactly what has happened. Leaders from various Indigenous organizations across the country have helped develop a draft, which includes more than 80 calls to economic prosperity.
Madahbee Leach says the result thus far is only a draft, one that will be presented to Indigenous organizations across the country. The hope is representatives will review the draft and offer their thoughts and suggestions.
Residential school survivor helps other former students, families reconnect to culture
Fisher said they help people heal by relearning their language, introducing them to the traditional ways, “just reintroducing them to be proud of who they are. To learn again what Anishinaabe is, and start healing from there.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/residential-schools-orange-shirt-day-wasay-centre-1.5743881
Métis federation reopens some moose harvesting areas to Métis hunters after 9 years
Métis harvesters will be allowed to return to limited hunting of bull moose in the Porcupine Mountain and Duck Mountain areas in western Manitoba starting Oct. 1, the federation said in a news release Tuesday. Cows, calves and yearlings will still be off-limits in those areas, officially known as Game Hunting Areas 13, 13A , 18, 18A, 18B and 18C.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-metis-federation-moose-hunting-1.5743174
Rapid response team arrives in York Factory First Nation to help prevent COVID-19 outbreak
The First Nation asked the federal government to send the rapid response team, in hopes it can help with some of those challenges, York Factory Chief Leroy Constant said Tuesday in an interview with CBC News. The team of six arrived Tuesday afternoon and are now setting up to start rapid testing for close contacts of the family who tested positive, Constant said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/rapid-response-team-york-factory-first-nation-1.5743969