COVID-19 Daily News Digest – August 7, 2020
MKO provides funding to help YWCA continue providing shelter for 25 vulnerable homeless people
MKO’s contribution to this initiative, which was initially organized through
Thompson’s Community Advisory Board on Homelessness and funded through Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, will ensure that the 25 people remain housed there until fall.
Free support sessions available to parents in Tofino, Ucluelet and surrounding First Nations communities
She said a lot of anxiety stems from not knowing what is going on. The mother of three suggests having regular conversations about boundaries related to the coronavirus to cultivate routines.
“It’s about talking through it and really thinking through it and planning. Having a plan can really decrease the anxiety,” notes Hagar.
Six new active COVID-19 cases in RMWB, including on Chipewyan Prairie First Nation
There are five COVID-19 cases in Wood Buffalo’s rural areas, with some of those confirmed to be on the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation (CPFN). The community is adjacent to Janvier.
The virus’ presence was confirmed by Matthew Michetti, executive assistant to Chief Vern Janvier of the CPFN, on Wednesday. AHS spokesperson Tom McMillan confirmed that nine active cases are linked to the community.
Prophet River First Nation pulls out of lawsuit over Site C dam in northeastern B.C.
In it, they argued the construction of Site C is a violation of their rights set out in Treaty 8, signed in 1899 with First Nations in northeastern B.C., northern Alberta and northwestern Saskatchewan. In particular, they say, the flooding breaks a promise from the Crown to protect the way of life of signatory nations. Meanwhile, Site C is facing other challenges. On Friday, BC Hydro revealed it has “serious concerns” about the dam’s budget and construction schedule, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/site-c-prophet-river-lawsuit-deal-1.5675651
‘As a First Nations MPP in Ontario…I cannot deny my loneliness.’
My reality shows the stark contrast between two worlds: First Nations and non-First Nations, constantly competing for relevance in my mind. Daily, I walk through the heavy, carved, wood front doors and go into the legislature’s chamber where 124 MPPs debate the current issues. But I represent First Nation and non-First Nation people. Even though we come from different backgrounds, we are united in our needs as a far north riding. Kiiwetinoong is the largest riding in the province; ot extends from the Manitoba border on the west to Hudson’s Bay in the north, and we share this land.
Visitors and non-residents entering closed remote B.C. First Nation’s territories
“They are here on a daily basis — from day break to evening,” said Bernard Charleson, Hesquiaht emergency co-ordinator. “It’s just another way that the virus is going to get into the community. They do come to the village and they do tie up at the dock. On occasion, they will walk into the village when there’s nobody around to stop them.”
‘We Are Living In Fear’: COVID-19 Further Isolates Peru’s Andean Women
Feelings of isolation are heightened in this remote Andean community. Without any way to communicate with her family living in a distant village, Medina walked alone, for six hours through the night, to the nearest town with taxi service, desperate to reach her youngest son and ensure he was safe. Her journey was exhausting, but she was relieved to find her son healthy.
Reflecting on the difficulty of her voyage, she lamented, “How will I get to a hospital if I am sick and cannot walk, and with what money will I pay for it?” Kelkanca does not have a doctor or basic healthcare services. The community is six hours by car from Cusco, the nearest hospital that treats COVID patients.
IN PICTURES: CHASING COVID-19 ACROSS THE AMAZON
Back in April, with COVID-19 already hitting hard in urban areas, MSF launched an emergency response to reach remote communities living in the State of Amazonas – an enormous region in the country’s northwest covered almost entirely in the dense jungle of the Amazon Basin.
Here, limited transport and access to healthcare would mean that tracking the pandemic and treating patients would create an outbreak response unlike any other.
https://stories.msf.org.uk/in-pictures–chasing-covid-19-across-the-amazon/index.html
Indigenous leaders: Govt unwilling to protect our rights
The main provisions of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord are yet to be implemented and the government has taken no visible initiative to establish the promised land commission for indigenous people of the plain lands due to the lack of political will.
Wang: Canada’s diversity is key to a successful foreign policy
Two events sparked global attention in June: Black Lives Matter protests and Canada’s failed UN Security Council bid. The former triggered Canada to rethink its approach to diversity, inclusion and equity. The latter triggered Canada to rethink its foreign policy. Canada’s embrace of diversity, inclusion and equity is critical at home, but it’s also key to reimagining a successful foreign policy that promotes similar values abroad. A foreign policy espousing these values leverages Canada’s unique diversity to create policies that include and empower traditionally underrepresented groups.
https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/wang-canadas-diversity-is-key-to-a-successful-foreign-policy
Indigenous storytelling continues in a COVID-19 world
“For many thousands of years, Australia’s First Nations people have been telling stories as diverse in theme and character as the languages in which they’re told. They speak to the geography, environment, value systems and cultural protocols of the Country and people they belong to,” he said.
“It has been a great privilege to work with local storytellers to share knowledge from their countries to our screens.”
Feds seek agreements with provinces, territories to ensure remote communities have adequate flights
Transport Minister Marc Garneau, Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal and Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller announced the program Aug. 6. The intention is to develop bilateral agreements with provinces and territories to ensure continuity of air services to remote communities for at least six months. The federal government says it is willing to put up $75 million for the first six months of subsidized service once agreements are signed and up to $99 million more over the next 12 months, if needed
Government of Canada is providing assistance to urban Indigenous organizations in the Greater Toronto Area to address the COVID-19 pandemic
Since the beginning of the pandemic, community-based organizations and community leadership have been on the front-lines to ensure the safety and well-being of Indigenous Peoples living in urban communities. Their work is paramount in protecting the health of this vulnerable population. They have been advocating and providing supports and services for shelters, distribution of medication and traditional medicines, food delivery and financial assistance to address the immediate COVID-19 coordination of programming. The Government of Canada is providing funding through the Indigenous Community Support Fund’s urban and off-reserve stream to deliver these essential services and programs to First Nations living off-reserve and Indigenous Peoples living in urban areas to address the critical needs during this crisis and ensure no one is left behind.