COVID-19 Daily News Digest – August 18, 2020
First Nations artists need your support
Overall figures are not yet available but the experience of Injalak Arts, an art centre in Gunbalanya in the Top End, is indicative of the experience of many such centres, which rely heavily on dry season tourist sales. Injalak Arts had an 84 per cent drop in sales for July this year compared to last, and a 76 per cent drop in sales for April to August 2020 compared to 2019. As well as the loss of income for the artists, the impact on many local economies is devastating; the art centres have less income and therefore cannot afford to buy as much work.
COVID-19 Vaccine: 29 Candidates begin Clinical Trials while 6 of them are in Phase-3 trials
Across the globe, scientists and researchers are racing against time to find a vaccine for COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As is evident from the data on number of cases across the world, COVID-19 is highly contagious and till a vaccine is available for large scale public use, the only way that one can stay safe is through social distancing, wearing masks, and personal hygiene. Since vaccine is essential to make a large section of the population immune to the infection, the entire world is waiting for a vaccine with bated breath.
China grants first patent to indigenous COVID-19 vaccine
The world’s first registered vaccine against the novel coronavirus was announced by President Vladimir Putin last week, during an online meeting with government officials. The third stage of the research on the world’s first registered vaccine against the novel coronavirus, called Sputnik V, may begin in 7-10 days.
Indigenous protestors blocked major Trans-Amazonian highway
Members of the Kayapo tribe block highway BR163 during a protest on the outskirts of Novo Progresso in Para State, Brazil, on August 17, 2020 amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic.
https://news.yahoo.com/indigenous-protestors-blocked-major-trans-074530523.html
Yukon University welcomes new Indigenous president
While it’s not quite the first semester he anticipated due to COVID-19, the new president of Canada’s first northern university is taking it all in stride.
Mike DeGagne is the first president of the newly minted Yukon University, and also its first Indigenous president to join its ranks.
“The university is an opportunity for the Yukon to really take charge of its research, and, of course, all the training and skills development that we’ve developed for the university here in our territory, (as well as) open us up to the rest of Canada.”
P.E.I. organizations looking for emerging musicians, filmmakers in 2SLGBTQ+, Black and Indigenous communities
“I’ve had so many people asking for a music video program and there really wasn’t any funding anywhere to do that,” Laprise said. When COVID-19 happened, a number of initiatives couldn’t move forward and funding opened up from the Canada Council for the Arts, ACOA and the P.E.I. government.
Indigenous people in Brazil demand COVID-19 protection from government
Tribe leaders say people from outside their territory are spreading the virus because there are no restrictions on entering their land.
Some are wearing black paint to represent their grief and fighting spirit.
Thunder Bay Police Accessed Personal Health Data in COVID-19 Database at 10 Times Provincial Average
The massive use of the database by police services raised red flags for civil rights groups across the province who sought a court injunction.Now civil liberties groups are demanding local police services destroy records of any personal health information they may have on file. When filing the legal papers in April, the groups filing suit saw the potential for abuse of the information.
Resilience in a time of COVID-19: Mr. Bannock gets creative
“I had some really hard times. I definitely don’t want to go through that lifestyle again and I don’t want my kids to, either. So I’m going to bust my butt off to make sure I don’t.”
Rather than give into dark thoughts, Natrall decided to get creative.
He researched and perfected new fusion indigenous street recipes such as DBK: smoked duck with bacon, housemade Korean bbq sauce, kimchee and sesame seeds on his grilled bannock bun. Stone-baked bannock pizzas are in the works for fall, as are indigenous takes on floats.
https://www.nsnews.com/news/resilience-in-a-time-of-covid-19-mr-bannock-gets-creative-1.24187997
Canada Energy Regulator Calls on New Oil, Gas Pipes to Show Path to Net-Zero Emissions
After nearly a year of consultations with the Alberta-based Canadian fossil fuel industry, which unsuccessfully fought the act as a “no more pipelines bill,” the 284-page rulebook sets limits on the clean-up requirement.Test cases of industry ability to operate under the regulatory green new deal are underway, with early stages slowed down but not stopped by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ainu minority files lawsuit against gov’t on salmon fishing rights
The suit, filed with the Sapporo District Court against the central and Hokkaido governments, is the first such lawsuit by Ainu people to confirm their indigenous rights.
Salmon fishing in rivers is illegal under the law on the protection of fishery resources and Hokkaido’s regulations on inland fishing. The Ainu living inland can only fish salmon for traditional fishing and must request permission from the governor
Coronavirus accelerates a mental-health crisis for Canada’s indigenous youth
“Living in a reserve it gets depressing over time. You begin to feel isolated, you find yourself parting ways with your friends. It takes a huge toll on your health,” says Farrah.
Indigenous peoples make up nearly 5% of Canada’s population and for years their unemployment rate has been nearly double that of the rest of the population. For the nearly 1 in 4 indigenous youth living on reserve, disparities in educational and recreational opportunities are acute. Housing is inadequate on many reserves with some remote communities cut off from the rest of Canada for weeks or months during the year.
B.C. government accepting second intake of CleanBC applications
“Our government is helping communities build cleaner, better infrastructure that will support good jobs for people through new clean-energy projects, better transportation options and more efficient buildings and community spaces. This new round of funding will help us build an economic recovery from COVID-19 with communities and First Nations in every corner of the province, focused on people, our climate commitments and a cleaner, better future for everyone,” said B.C. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy George Heyman in a statement.