COVID-19 Daily News Digest – July 12, 2020
Grand chief became vaccination advocate as son’s health deteriorated
“Because it was so important for him to receive (the transplant), I really had to do a lot of research, and I had to do a lot of thinking on that whole idea of immunizations,” he said.
“I, too, would encourage anyone: if you can, please immunize your babies. Let’s keep everyone as healthy as possible,” Dumas said.
TSILHQOT’IN SOLUTIONS TO COVID-19; INDIGENOUS SOLUTIONS TO COVID-19 AND RECOGNITION IN CANADIAN LAW
This project will document the COVID-19 response measures being implemented by the Tsilhqot’in Nation – an Indigenous Nation comprised of six reserve communities spread throughout a large traditional territory in west-central British Columbia. Through interviews with decision-makers, it will document the Nation’s novel and culturally-informed approaches to COVID-19 response. It will also identify the ways in which the Canadian and BC governments – through law, legislation, and on-the-ground service delivery – fail to recognize and support these approaches.
Canada invests over $2.5-million in First Nation mental health program
“Our First Nations are taking extraordinary measures to keep safe, and many community members are experiencing heightened feelings of isolation and uncertainty, which has understandably resulted in increased levels of anxiety and depression. Without proper supports, people in these circumstances often turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, and we need to ensure they receive the support they require. This innovative program sets out pathways to access mental health and addiction services and incorporates 24/7 rapid-access emergency and crisis support for members on and off reserve. I congratulate everyone involved in its development, and I thank the government for their quick action to fund these much-needed services.”
Piikani Nation reports 1st case of COVID-19
The Nation has about 3,600 members, many of whom live on two reserves in southern Alberta. As of Friday afternoon, there were no active cases of COVID-19 in the Municipal District of Pincher Creek, which has a population of 8,302. There were 592 active cases across the province.
First Nations across Canada have implemented curfews, lockdowns and checkpoints in efforts to keep residents safe during the pandemic.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/piikani-nation-covid-19-1.5646678
Top court orders adoption of anti-COVID-19 plans for indigenous groups
Barroso thus granted a motion filed by indigenous organization Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil (Apib) and political parties PSB, PSOL, PCdoB, PT, Rede, and PDT, denouncing non-compliance with a fundamental precept, in which they argue for the adoption of more government measures to combat the dissemination of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) among indigenous people.
The justice’s decision, unveiled on Wednesday (Jul. 8), was made even after the Attorney-General’s Office sent the Supreme Court a list with the measures taken by the government regarding indigenous groups, based on data from the Health and Defense Ministries, in addition to other agencies
Canadian health care isn’t immune to racism, experts say. Here’s why
Epidemiologist Nancy Krieger boils it down to six pathways through which racism harms a person’s health, including economic and social deprivation, socially inflicted trauma, inadequate or degrading medical care, and ecosystem degradation and alienation from the land — the latter a recurring theme in reports like the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7142275/systemic-racism-healthcare/.
Saskatoon Tribal Council, partners thank province for support during coronavirus pandemic
Seventy-four First Nations received a total of $43.4 million. $36.6 million was distributed through the First Nations Trust and $6.5 million to Community Development Corporations to support communities.
“The grant money demonstrates the strong partnership between the chiefs and the province,” Bellerose said.
“It’s the only kind in the entire country and that demonstrates that in good times we can share revenue and bad times one can support the other.”
Bringing support to Indigenous students and communities, while fulfilling a dream
The different opportunities Mitacs can offer is driven by the people if Indigenous communities have a need and are asking for something to be done, Mitacs will provide guidance.
“It’s an industry, organizational pull model in which the research is done through the lens of that partner organization,” Loring says.