Covid-19 Daily News Digest – April 4, 2020
Manitoba Indigenous communities get federal funds for COVID-19 fight
A $305-million spending package from Indigenous Services Canada will go to band councils and Métis communities in Manitoba, as well as Inuit groups and, eventually, urban Indigenous organizations.
‘Very worried’ Indigenous dads make public plea for COVID-19 compliance
“In Indigenous communities, they are usually more vulnerable to infectious disease because they tend to have higher prevalence of chronic disease,” said Faisca Richer, director of public health for the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/covid-19-indigenous-public-health-diabetes-1.5520680
How two First Nation communities with positive cases are fighting COVID-19
“We have a great grassroots movement here in the community of people that are gathering food, gathering natural medicines, buying food and sharing it. Our community has really come together. Many staff have put their time in to volunteer at our food distribution network,” said Kettle and Stony Point Chief Jason Henry.
BC announces $1.5 million in funding for Indigenous students amid COVID-19 pandemic
“No one should have to choose between an education and survival, and these emergency funds will help Indigenous students complete their studies with a better sense of well-being,” said BC Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Scott Fraser in a government press release.
https://www.ubyssey.ca/news/bc-government-announces-funding-for-Indigenous-students-COVID-19/
Saskatchewan First Nation announces first case of coronavirus
“Pandemic committee has been dispatched and will start the tracing process to ensure containment is done effectively and efficiently. Please continue to follow all precautionary measures at your home and keep social distancing a high priority,” the statement read.
‘Protect your elders as they’ve protected you’: Artists’ COVID-19 posters target Indigenous communities
“Not a lot of campaigns target Indigenous communities,” said Bowen.
“It’s an easier way to communicate and get the point across. It was nice to have Lee Francis reach out to me to use my skills to bring more awareness.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/coronavirus-posters-indigenous-artists-1.5520754
Cash crunch and layoffs: Inside small businesses’ fight for survival
“Our live and in-person training has either been cancelled or postponed for later this year. It’s a signifcant portion of our monthly revenues. Another portion of our work is reliant on ethnographic research where we go into Indigenous communities. None of that is possible now but we’re looking at how to use technology to make that work happen.”
Ontario cannabis stores, construction and more to close April 4 after premier enacts tighter COVID-19 measures
Donnelly and other officials offered suggestions for such measures. In additions to the steps Ford announced Friday, they advised imposing entry restrictions on some communities including First Nations, providing more protection for seniors and tightening guidance on physical distancing.
Liberal agenda on the shelf as government deals with COVID-19 pandemic
Perry Bellegarde, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, easily rhymes off the long list of Liberal promises to Indigenous Peoples.
“There are so many things that were in the throne speech that we pushed for that we still have to follow up on going forward,” Bellegarde said.
“But we know our energy and attention is on COVID-19 and this health-care threat to all of Canada, including First Nations people. We have to focus on that.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberal-agenda-covid19-1.5522054
Industry puts First Nations at risk- Work must stop on energy, mining projects
The reason this is happening is simple: under Canadian federal guidelines defining “essential services” during the COVID-19 pandemic – last updated April 2 – manufacturing in the oil, gas, mining and electricity industries are deemed “essential.” Provinces, which oversee and license these industries, have followed suit.
This makes sense for existing infrastructure but there is a grey area when it comes to “new” development – so, the work continues.
First Nations face governance crisis as pandemic threatens elections
Holding an election during a pandemic poses public health risks, he said, noting everyone is being asked to distance themselves from each other and avoid large groups wherever possible.
But Ottawa does not have the authority to extend terms for any chiefs and councillors who are currently in office, so any decision to postpone or go ahead with an upcoming election must come from the communities or nations themselves.