Covid-19 Daily News Digest – April 11, 2020
COVID-19 cases low but tougher days could come on reserves: Indigenous Services minister
He says the remote locations of many Indigenous communities and aggressive measures taken by their leadership have helped keep out the new coronavirus, but they could be more adversely affected due to long-standing social and economic inequities.
COVID-19 restrictions won’t ease up until summer, says Trudeau; 400,000 Ontario jobs lost in March
“Given the increased risk of mortality within First Nations communities, we’ve been trying to prepare for this, but you never really can, can you?” Six Nations’ Chief Mark Hill said in a statement. “Our community is grieving.”
COVID-19 case confirmed at Blueberry River First Nations in northeastern B.C.
The Blueberry River First Nations, located about 70 kilometres north of Fort St. John, confirmed in a Thursday media release that one of its members had tested positive for the virus.
The nation says it has activated its pandemic plan and has closed itself to visitors.
Regional Food Distribution Association provides COVID-19 emergency food support to First Nation communities
“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.
Coronavirus: Indigenous minister says cases still low on reserves, but danger high
The federal minister of Indigenous services says that even though the number of COVID-19 cases on reserves remains low, no one should be complacent.
Marc Miller told reporters during a news conference on Friday that borders and checkpoints are good for identifying people with COVID-19 entering a community, as well as making people aware of the disease, but they can’t lead people to believe that they are safe.
https://q107.com/news/6806257/coronavirus-indigenous-reserves/
N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Province sees 1 new case, recoveries reach 60
The delay in the recreational hunting and fishing seasons will not impact First Nations and their Aboriginal and treaty rights, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-covid-19-cases-1.5529222
Blueberry River First Nation letter on COVID-19 efforts
Our team, including our leadership group and our incredibly brave health and administrative staff, have been focusing almost exclusively on COVID-19 emergency preparedness for a number of weeks. In fact our efforts have been used by federal officials as a model for other First Nation communities.
40 cases of confirmed COVID-19 in First Nation communities
“It is very much the beginning of the financial conversation and the resource conversation. There are some things that money cannot buy that we’re prepared to deploy into communities,” Miller said.
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – Born Deadly
Over the past three years, Snotty Nose Rez Kids have made a name for themselves as a First Nations rap duo known for their exciting stage performances and stadium-like anthems. Though COVID-19 may prevent them from hitting a stage any time soon, it hasn’t stopped the release of their latest EP, Born Deadly.
http://exclaim.ca/music/article/snotty_nose_rez_kids-born_deadly
Coronavirus outbreak: Minister confirms 40 cases in First Nations communities on reserve, 5 in Nunavik
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said on Friday that there were 40 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in communities on reserve and five in Nunavik. The numbers came as Miller also announced the transfer of $305 million to First Nations communities to help to prevent and react to the virus.
COVID-19: Highways, ferries filled with long-weekend travellers despite requests to “stay home”
“Many folks have told me if they get the virus they will simply hop in their car and drive quickly back to Alberta. (But) you can go from a symptom to ICU in a matter of a very short time … and that would be problematic for our small hospital.”
Ontario First Nations communities brace for COVID-19 cases, as they work to keep the virus out
“Those systems that these political leaders are in charge of have a lot of constraint, and they’re, they can be slow,” Archibald said.
“That’s not acceptable in a time like this when the speed of action determines how many lives we can save, and the speed of action certainly determines how much we can preserve health in our communities.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/first-nations-covid-19-1.5528109
Delta port expansion ‘more important than ever’
The next phase also includes consultation including gathering input from First Nations, but Wilson noted that due to the COVID-19 situation and potential challenges with those consultations, a final report will likely be delayed by three months and released in September.
https://www.delta-optimist.com/news/delta-port-expansion-more-important-than-ever-1.24114170
Letters April 11: Need for pipeline; rich people and health care
I urge First Nations to not further appeal the decision to proceed and instead share the benefits the project will provide.
Indigenous Community Support Fund
This Fund supports the health, safety, and well-being of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis with a commitment of $305 million to improve public health response for these Indigenous communities and provide them with the flexibility they need to address the specific needs identified by communities and their members.
http://www.mondaq.com/canada/indigenous-peoples/915758/indigenous-community-support-fund
Cuthand: COVID-19 situation on U.S. reserves is cautionary tale
As of Thursday, New Mexico, with a population of a little over two million, had 989 cases of COVID-19 and 17 deaths. The Navajo Nation had 488 cases and 20 deaths. Seventy new cases were discovered on Thursday. The rate of COVID-19 infection is eight times higher on the Navajo Nation and the death rate is 16 times higher than the rest of New Mexico
Native Americans living in urban areas are able to access health care through tribal clinics. Outside the reach of Indian Health Services Native Americans must rely on the vagaries of the American health system which consists of Medicaid for the poor and health insurance for everyone else.
Wildfires and a pandemic: Yukon crews prepare for uncertain season
“I think we’ll probably see a lot more wiping down of the helicopters, and taking ownership of the trucks … we know once we get out to the fire lines, it’s not that difficult to practise social distancing,” he said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-wildfire-preparation-covid-19-1.5526618
Province Prevents Operators from Charging Fees while Child Cares are Closed
An emergency order has been issued, and immediately prevents any child care operator from charging parent fees where care is not being provided. The order also means that parents cannot lose their child care space because they are not paying fees during this period. This will help provide much needed relief for parents during the outbreak.
Sarnia area artist shares art kits to help youth, children, parents during pandemic
“If you could see the healing that came from our little art class. There’s something that came from our classes that one friend said I should just call magic,” she recalled. “We don’t have an explanation for what happened there, but a lot of people found the freedom to talk about things in their lives like residential schools.”
B.C. First Nations say Ottawa will match province’s $300 social assistance supplement on reserves
She said as a semi-isolated community in northern B.C., the additional funds should help reduce the number of trips people need to make in and out of the community by enabling residents on social assistance to stockpile more of the food and necessities they need.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/bc-first-nations-income-assistance-supplement-1.5528378
Coronavirus pandemic leaves northwest B.C.’s Indigenous businesses at risk of collapse in tourism downturn
“Here in the north, we live in an area I think will be so sought after… and this [scare] is going to be on people’s minds for several years to come,” she says, suggesting that Canadians will be more eager to explore after being at home for months.
Five Ways to Take Anti-Racist Action During COVID-19
From remote Indigenous communities under boil water advisories to the disproportionate number of Indigenous, Black, and people of colour incarcerated in prisons, systemic racism plays a role in determining which communities are most vulnerable to COVID-19, and likely who will be the last to receive adequate assistance.
https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2020/04/10/Five-Ways-To-Take-Anti-Racist-Action-During-COVID-19/
Yanomami indigenous boy infected with coronavirus dies
A Yanomami indigenous boy has died after contracting the coronavirus, authorities in Brazil said Friday, raising fears for the Amazon tribe, which is known for its vulnerability to imported diseases.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/yanomami-indigenous-boy-infected-with-coronavirus-dies-1.4891387
‘Doing everything possible’: Indigenous Services defends response to pandemic
“We need masks, we need equipment, we need cleaners, we need disinfectants. We need all the things to stop the spread and we need that money identified now,” Archibald said.
“We need it now, not tomorrow, not next week, not after breakouts are happening. Now. We need it now.
Vulnerable First Nations brace for COVID-19’s spread
Henry said he is proud of his team for finding a way to protect the community while supporting the man, who is recovering well. But he said the band does not have the resources to make this the go-to plan for COVID-19 cases and is calling on government to help fund a dedicated self-isolation centre, possibly in the local school