COVID-19 Daily News Digest – August 11, 2020
Will a coronavirus vaccine help communities that need it most?
As more than 100 companies race to find a vaccine, about 41% of non-White Americans say they don’t plan to get it when it becomes available — compared to 33% of White Americans, according to a Gallup poll published last week. “There is this distrust between these communities and the health care system that’s valid and justified,” Blackstock, the founder of Advancing Health Equity, said on CBSN Monday.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-vaccine-concern-black-latinx-indigenous-communities/
Suhakam praises indigenous groups’ handling of Covid-19
“Apart from that, the ‘ngabang’ (house-to-house and longhouse-to-longhouse visits) during the Gawai Dayak festival, a one-month harvesting festival, had been toned down to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. “Communities had also resorted to sourcing for food and herbs from the surrounding jungles as well as protecting their children from being exposed to other children,” said Suhakam in a statement issued on Sunday in conjunction with International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2020 – themed ‘Covid-19 and Indigenous Peoples’ Resilience’.
FedNor announces $13M for Indigenous-led programs across North
Among the recipients are the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund, which will receive roughly $4.9 million to provide technical and capacity development, and planning support for up to 20 First Nations communities within its area to undertake a Comprehensive Community Planning process, helping them realize the full economic benefits from resource development opportunities such as the Ring of Fire.
Mushkegowuk suggests changes to Bill 197 violate treaty
MPP John Vanthof (NDP — Timiskaming-Cochrane) also questioned why the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) would “need to be gutted to protect people from COVID.”
Vanthof suggested there is no connection between the two and accused the Ford government of “using the pandemic as a vehicle to advance their own political ambitions.”
Manitoba sees five straight days of double-digit COVID-19 case increases for second time
“We are living through a pandemic. We all must work diligently to help protect the health of First Nations peoples. I encourage First Nations citizens to remain calm and not panic. Do not feel embarrassed or ashamed to seek out a COVID test if you have symptoms. Encourage others around you to get tested if they are showing symptoms. Let’s continue working together and supporting each other to help keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.”
Five B.C. First Nations call out Canada for ‘discriminatory’ food fish practices
The First Nations called government practices are “discriminatory,” adding Canada is refusing to acknowledge the impact they have on their Nations, culture, and well-being of their communities, especially in this time of the pandemic.
“We need the income and our members want to fish. Our Nations have an aboriginal right to fish commercially,” read the statement.
The Drilldown: Overhaul Yukon mining laws, demand First Nations
The submission is part of a public consultation that’s taking suggestions from stakeholders until Aug. 31. In it, the three First Nations — the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Vuntut Gwitchin and Na-Cho Nyäk Dun — say they should have more autonomy in implementing their own laws and protecting their territory, and that the legislation needs a “fundamental overhaul.”
Contested water settlements inflamed the Navajo Nation’s health crisis
There are many factors that create a crisis like this. Water settlements are not the only one, but they are a critical reason why the Navajo Nation lacks water infrastructure today. When we see statistics stating that 30% to 40% of Diné communities lack running water during a global pandemic, they are not statistics without history. The entire situation is an artifact of colonialism. It is the result of decades of indifference, neglect and deliberate underdevelopment.
Canadian oil company stops operations in Peru after deadly Indigenous protests
In a communique released Monday, the Calgary-based company said it had asked Peru’s National Police to beef up security at the facility in Peru’s Amazon region after protesters seeking greater government pandemic assistance took over another oil installation in the neighbouring region of Sarameriza.“As a result, and during the ensuing struggle, about a dozen injuries amongst the police and protesters were reported,” PetroTal said in a press release.
Australia’s northern region to face virus measures until 2022
“This is what I think I need to do to make sure some of the most vulnerable people in the world stay safe,” Gunner said. The Northern Territory has recorded few virus cases and no deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. It is currently closed to Victoria state and Sydney, and Gunner said he expected other regions to be excluded
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/australia-s-northern-region-to-face-virus-measures-until-2022-1.5059150