COVID-19 Daily News Digest – May 25, 2020
4 First Nations reach agreement with Manitoba Hydro to end blockades, lift injunction: MKO
“I think that people are happy because that’s what they wanted. They wanted to have their voice heard and they wanted to be respected as partners and they also wanted to ensure that these decisions that are being made are not in exclusion of them,” Settee said, “they had no decision making, they had no input.”
It’s a move forward for the partnership, he said, adding “that’s something that I’m very happy about.”
New Yukon Party leader says respectful leadership with First Nations essential
Thirty-four-year-old Currie Dixon defeated two contenders for the top job and says his aim is to serve all Yukoners well.
Dixon says that will include establishing a productive and respectful relationship with First Nations.
Powwow circuit disrupted by COVID-19, but organizers optimistic for 2021
“We are just now experiencing that sense of loss because weeks ago it was still like, ‘Well, you never know! maybe they’ll still happen!’” said Bourgeois. “But no, that’s not the case.”
Although Mitchell and Bourgeois aren’t especially worried about the cultural impact of having no powwows, they do have other concerns.
Bourgeois said she’s worried that the cancellation of powwows will have consequences for people who have been housebound all winter.
First Nations health authorities tell Commons committee they need more PPE
“On-reserve populations’ PPE in Saskatchewan are distributed by the province and unfulfilled requests are then forward to the national emergency stockpile.”
She also said medical supplies such as thermometers and testing supplies are not readily available and that nursing capacity “remains a critical issue.”
Coronavirus: Indigenous health authorities tell HoC committee more PPE needed
“We also recognize the limitations across the country, but we are constantly advocating for PPE not only for our health care providers but also for our people that are providing security on the lines or at band offices,” she told the committee.
Brazil’s indigenous people are dying at an alarming rate from COVID-19: report
According to a study by the non-profit InfoAmazonia, the average distance between indigenous villages and the nearest intensive care unit (ICU) in Brazil is 315 kilometers. And for 10 percent of villages that distance is between 700-1,079 kilometres.
“Indigenous communities — even the ones with basic health clinics — just aren’t prepared for coronavirus, which means those infected have to be removed and often travel long distances,” Joenia Wapichana, the first indigenous congresswoman in Brazil, said in an interview. “And when they get there, they have to compete for hospitals, for ICU beds, for ventilators, because there just isn’t enough.”
As the coronavirus pandemic strains supplies, Native Americans fight food insecurity
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic “people were dependent on the grocery store,” Wilson said. “Now, they’re in shock or worried about how they’re going to keep their pantries filled when they can’t go to the stores like they used to. It’s a wake-up call that we need to go back to growing our own foods and tending to our own livestock.”
Indigenous organizations in Montreal call for a delay in reopening the city
“The provincial public authorities must take into account how the pandemic affects the various, often marginalized, communities. Universal decision-making disregarding the Indigenous community is harmful,” the report states.
“Many of our principal requests have not been met in a timely manner, nor have they taken into consideration the unique circumstances of the Indigenous community in situations of homelessness.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/montreal-indigenous-call-delay-reopening-plans-1.5580203