Covid-19 Daily News Digest – April 10, 2020
Okanagan Indian Band urging seasonal visitors to stay away during coronavirus pandemic
“Given the COVID-19 pandemic, we have asked all [certificate of possession] holders to contact any of their current and past renters and let them know to stay home as they will not be allowed on OKIB reserve lands,” Chief Byron Louis said in a press release.
No Such Thing As Natural Disasters: Infrastructure And The First Nation Fight Against COVID-19
Echoing the events of a century ago, when the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic decimated First Nations communities across the country, this is a crisis that will be defined by three factors: pre-existing divides; the extent to which those in political power are held to account for upholding them; and our ability to seize the moment to transform them.
Indigenous law should be heeded to prevent future pandemics | Angelique EagleWoman
Rethinking economic development, environmental protection laws and responsibilities to First Nations and all Indigenous peoples may be the lessons in the aftermath of this pandemic. The Indigenous leaders and protesters who have been condemned in courts and public opinion for resisting invasive economic development projects may, in the end, be the voice of reason and compassion necessary to sustain life on the planet.
OPG providing emergency food support to First Nations in northwestern Ontario
“Neighbours helping neighbours during a time of crisis is what corporate citizenship is all about. We are grateful to the good people of the RFDA who are facilitating the flow of emergency aid and allowing us to connect with these First Nation communities,” said Ken Hartwick, OPG’s President and CEO. “We hope other companies reach out to their First Nation neighbours and do the same.”
Critics say more robust solutions needed as Ottawa dusts off Indian Act for new pandemic elections regulations
While the federal government worked quickly to enact COVID-19 emergency relief measures, Dyck suggested Ottawa, instead of drawing up new temporary regulations, could have made legislative changes that give First Nations authority to postpone elections during emergencies.
“Why couldn’t they come up with something that would grant emergency measures for First Nations and actually pass it as an emergency law?”
Southern Alberta man hopes to inspire others to give back during pandemic
AdvancedAg is owned by local First Nations, and originally, the donation was just going to help elders in the region who are struggling to make ends meets. After discussions with community leaders, the donation grew and he got involved with the Salvation Army and Streets Alive Mission.
Sask. First Nations ‘taking no chances’ with major precautions
According to Dr. Ibrahim Khan, a health surveillance doctor with Indigenous Service Canada, of Saskatchewan’s 278 confirmed COVID-19 cases, four were from First Nations communities.
“Those four cases have recovered, they were very stable, they did not require any hospitalization,” said Khan. “They weren’t even severe cases, so they recover at home.”
https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-first-nations-taking-no-chances-with-major-precautions-1.4890516
Increase in positive COVID-19 tests in single digits for second consecutive day
irst responders such as police officers, firefighters and paramedics showing possible coronavirus infection symptoms have now been added to the priority list for COVID-19 testing, along with symptomatic people who have been outside the province in the past 14 days, close contacts of known cases, lab workers, all hospital patients with respiratory illness symptoms and people with COVID-19 infection symptoms who live in the province’s north, in First Nations or in remote communities and residents of group settings like correctional facilities.
Restrictions in place at Wahpeton
“Our Chief John Waditaka along with the assistance of his council and the health center employees with the pandemic team have worked effortlessly to address the needs of our community members and for all safety/ precautionary measures,” the statement said.
M’Chigeeng will launch Hwy 540 checkpoint Thursday at 4 pm
We (First Nations and municipalities) all need to contribute to this effort in establishing creative and out of the norm solutions to effectively combat this virus,” the chief continued. “With First Nations and municipalities equally doing their part we have a better chance at protecting Manitoulin Island and those we love. Now more than ever we all have to work together to do the right thing—lives depend on it.”
https://www.manitoulin.ca/mchigeeng-will-launch-hwy-540-checkpoint-thursday-at-4-pm/
Northern Saskatchewan First Nations communities concerned over lack of PPE for healthcare workers
The health authority that represents northern First Nations communities is worried its frontline workers will not be equipped to deal with COVID-19.
B.C. announces $5M boost to virtual mental health services
Meanwhile, the province will also be investing in peer support for immigrants and refugees, and will be working with Indigenous partners to improve mental health opportunities for local First Nations.
Blueberry River First Nations to implement Road-side Security to prevent spread of COVID-19
The notice shares the members can leave for essential need such as groceries and medications. Members are to practice social distancing to protect the community from the spread of COVID-19. The notice expresses non-residents cannot enter the reserve.
Lack of public Mass especially painful for Indigenous Catholics
“It feels lonely when it comes to my spiritual journey. I miss my elders mostly. We’re an aboriginal church, so I miss smudging with my community. I miss getting hugs from my elders. I miss seeing their faces. I’m not bored, but mostly just lonely and wishing we could get back to it.”
Virtual Mental Health Supports During COVID-19
Many phone and online counselling, support programs, and treatment and healing centres are available virtually for Indigenous people across B.C.
- Find the mental health and cultural supports you need
Manitobans who ignore COVID-19 public health orders can now face fines of $486
Public health officers are also working with smaller communities’ police services, including First Nations police services and the RCMP. Plans are being made to adopt measures in those communities similar to the ones announced in Winnipeg.
B.C. First Nations Health Authority launches virtual doctor program
The First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day program was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused many First Nations communities to shut down or reduce operations in their health centres. This program is designed so people do not need to go without a doctor for their primary health care needs through the crisis.
Ontario First Nations community reports first COVID-19 death
The death in Six Nations comes less than two weeks after the first confirmed case in the community, Chief Hill said Thursday, adding there are currently eight cases within Six Nations territory.
The Drilldown: Group of First Nations want to challenge second approval of TMX before the Supreme Court
“If unchallenged, it could change the way consultation and consultation cases happen in Canada, making it less meaningful for protecting our inherent constitutionally protected Aboriginal rights,” Chief Leah George-Wilson of the Tsleil-Waututh said, reports the Canadian Press.
Impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous communities across the globe
“We share these stories with our brothers and sisters in the Anglican Communion worldwide in order to highlight what we already know is true and part of our daily experience as Indigenous peoples. We encourage each of our provinces to advocate for responses to COVID-19 that are equitable; that acknowledge and respond to already existing inequalities in how Indigenous communities are served, and how historically vulnerable Indigenous communities will be significantly impacted by COVID-19.”
As supply concerns grow, Ottawa lays the groundwork for never-used Emergencies Act
The number of reported positive cases of COVID-19 in Indigenous communities across the country has more than doubled since last week, according to Indigenous Services Canada, and many fear the trend will bring devastation to some remote locations.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/emergencies-act-province-letter-1.5526496
Demographic data ‘essential’ to track spread of COVID-19: researchers
There are questions about whether low-income workers are at greater risk of exposure because they are more likely to keep showing up to work, and whether black or Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately contracting and dying from the respiratory disease.
Urban Indigenous organizations ramp up services on tight budgets
While urban First Nations and Metis community groups say demand for their services has never been higher, they haven’t seen any sign of relief from either provincial or federal partners, causing concern their clients have slipped through “jurisdictional cracks.”
The federal government announced a $305 relief package for Indigenous communities in late March. Only $15 million was set aside for urban groups. More than half of First Nations and Metis people live in urban centres.
Precision Biomonitoring Partners with Shared Value Solutions to Bring COVID-19 Point-of-Need Testing Capabilities to Northern Indigenous Communities
At present, the delivery of COVID-19 test results can take up to seven days in northern road-connected communities and can take even longer in more remote communities. With the ability to administer nine tests per hour at the point-of-need and deliver results in about 60 minutes, the 1.2 kg battery-operated, mobile COVID-19 test solution will help to increase testing speed and capacity.
Can Indigenous governments, organizations access federal COVID-19 relief funding?
I don’t think most Indigenous governments will be eligible because there’s an exception for public bodies. The idea is that most governments are probably not going to be losing substantial revenue.
Six Nations of the Grand River reports first fatal case of COVID-19
Six Nation currently has eight confirmed cases on the territory – more than any other First Nation, Metis or Inuit community in Canada.
82 First Nations on lockdown as B.C. records first COVID-19 cases in Indigenous communities
One concern many of B.C.’s First Nations have expressed is the devastating effect the virus could have on their culture.
“A lot of our histories are oral histories,” Teegee told Global News. “This virus really attacks the elderly [who carry those histories], and they are most susceptible.”
Indigenous leaders want more help from Ottawa to fight COVID-19
The Canadian Press reports that Bellegarde has called on Ottawa to make 10 per cent of the announced funding available immediately, saying the funds earmarked for First Nations for COVID-19 response so far are not proportional to the populations in their communities and more financial help will be needed.