Covid-19 Daily News Digest – April 18 2020
Matawa First Nations express frustration over COVID-19 response
“We are struggling to respond effectively to the pandemic. If governments aren’t able to change the way they have been partnering with us, we fear this will not get better, but worse,” the statement said.
Two more COVID-19 cases in Blueberry River
There are now at least three cases in the community north of Fort St. John, after the first case was publicly reported by family members and chief and council last week.
https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/two-more-covid-19-cases-in-blueberry-river-1.24119306
‘A real team effort’: Alberta First Nations remain COVID-19-free more than one month into pandemic
“We got organizing and got busy right away,” said Chief Vernon Saddleback. “We sent home all non-essential staff and sent home all our elder staff and any staff with pre-existing physical illnesses or disabilities.”
Six Nations residents come together in COVID-19 fight
“The community cherishes our elders and young ones,” said Lickers. “And when we learned that these groups are the most vulnerable, there was no question that we must do what we can do protect them, ourselves and the community.”
Created during Spanish flu, jingle dress dance now helping First Nations people cope with COVID-19
“He has a vision of a new dress, a very special dress … the way they tell the story in central Minnesota is that the little girl was at a drum ceremony with her family, and after she started dancing with the other women doing these … special dance steps, she started to feel better.”
COVID-19: First Nations concerned about Quebec mines reopening
“In the face of COVID-19, our leaders prioritize the health and safety of our members above everything else, even the economy,” Picard said.
10 lessons from COVID-19 that could help us save the planet
Indigenous ways of knowing convey what we all must learn from nature and our responsibility in treatment of other species. Could COVID give us pause to listen with deeper connection to the teachings of these elders?
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/04/17/opinion/10-lessons-covid-19-could-help-us-save-planet
Coronavirus could decimate small and isolated communities in Nunavut
The fact that so many Nunavummiut need to travel for medical services highlights a major vulnerability faced by the entire North, says Dr. Anna Banerji, a Toronto pediatrician who has researched respiratory infections in Inuit children. “If someone needs hospitalization then they need to wait for an air ambulance,” Banerji wrote in an email. “This could take hours or days. If many people are sick in the meantime this could mean that they die waiting.”
MKO thanks the province for northern travel restrictions during pandemic
“We currently have no cases of COVID-19 in our MKO First Nations and our leaders are doing everything within their power to prevent the introduction of this virus in our communities.”
B.C. Indigenous tourism operators at risk of closing because of pandemic
The billion dollar industry is expecting a tough summer because of movement and travel restrictions.
According to the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), 90 per cent of business across the country could be effected.
First Nations particularly vulnerable to COVID-19
So often Indigenous leaders and the government – especially during federal budget time – point to amounts spent rather than outcomes achieved. Abram could very well be correct, but we need a much better specific plan for how to deal with the outbreak should it reach First Nation communities.
‘Nothing like I’ve ever done before’: COVID-19 poses new challenge for Canadian Rangers
The Rangers, who will be wearing personal protective gear, could be tasked with anything from community wellness checks, identifying at-risk individuals and families and monitoring critical infrastructure to transporting supplies, helping to set up remote clinics and supporting COVID-19 awareness programs.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stefanovich-canadian-rangers-help-first-nations-covid19-1.5531538
COVID-19 live updates: Three new cases, 18 recoveries as Moe extends state of emergency
First Nations band offices, non-profits, charities and town offices in northern Saskatchewan as well as Saskatoon will be eligible for a one-time $50,000 grant from the company, which Cameco president and chief executive officer Tim Gitzel said is its way of giving back
‘An impressive effort’: Hotels, agencies working to provide self-isolation spaces for Manitoba health workers
Shared Health has been taking a “multi-pronged approach,” working with various provincial departments, the federal government, hotels, shelters, First Nations communities and the Canadian Red Cross, Siragusa said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/covid-19-isolation-centre-manitob-siragusa-1.5533610
Vidal calls for more support for First Nations-owned businesses
In a letter written to Minister of Finance Bill Morneau, Vidal wrote he wanted to bring attention to the fact many businesses owned by First Nations don’t qualify for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program. He noted the standard model for a First Nation in Canada to carry on a for-profit business is with the use of a limited partnership, adding many variations of the model exist, but all have the First Nations as a limited power.
Underfunding and racism have left Indigenous communities vulnerable to COVID-19, says Green MP Atwin
Lorraine Rekmans, Green Party shadow cabinet critic for Indigenous Affairs, noted the legal nature of Indigenous people’s rights in Canada: “This includes a commitment to free, prior and informed consent on any actions that impact Indigenous communities,” said Rekmans. “Canada’s priority must be to work in partnership with communities to protect Indigenous citizens from any risk, including the risk of community transmission from workers who are entering Indigenous territories.”
Digital divide: Educators, internet-rights and community advocates working with parents to address the needs of Manitoba families unable to afford technology for their children to learn online
“The longer young people feel disengaged, the harder it’s going to be to engage them. As time goes on, it’s going to be harder to connect, so that’s why I think these next two, three weeks are really key,” says Tom Simms, co-director of CEDA.
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/coronavirus/digital-divide-569745852.html
Indigenous COVID-19 task force launched in Calgary
“The pandemic has increased food insecurity and mental health issues due to self-isolating, and the inability to participate in pipe ceremonies, round dances and other cultural and spiritual traditions,” he said.
Early signs suggest race matters when it comes to COVID-19. So why isn’t Canada collecting race-based data?
But as to whether Canada intends to collect that sort of data, a spokesperson for chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam told CBC News this week, “There are currently no plans to add more social determinants of health (such as education or income) as risk factors to the case reporting form used for the collection of COVID-19 data.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/race-coronavirus-canada-1.5536168
Bimaadzwin – COVID-19 Update Week Four
Canadians are beginning to realize that Indigenous peoples are once again receiving far less funding and support to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The $215 million in funding for 633 First Nation communities, which is further delayed by having to submit applications to the federal government, amounts to less than one percent of the $82 billion that has been allocated for mainstream Canadia
North Saskatchewan communities set up Covid-19 command centre due to government ‘negligence
“We’re a community in and of itself and that’s what we’re realizing – that all the delineation between jurisdictions has not been caused by us. This is like a wake up for us. It’s an awakening of our relationships. Nobody’s going to take care of us unless we take care of ourselves.”
B.C. rights groups demand action following inmate’s death related to COVID-19
In a statement, the groups say inmates need full access to health care, harm reduction supplies and hygiene necessities, and governments must ensure every prisoner who is released can access income assistance and other supports.