COVID-19 Daily News Digest – July 27, 2020
Learning language through whispers: Indigenous youth launch ASMR campaign
As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic quashed the group’s original plans, they came up with the idea for the social media campaign that aims to promote relaxation, reassurance and safety by sharing the beauty and diversity of Indigenous languages through ASMR techniques. Veillette-Cheezo, whose family is from Lac Simon First Nation, is relearning the dialect of Anishinaabemowin used among Algonquin communities in Quebec. She used the word adjidjimoc, which means squirrel, for her submission to the project.
Indigenous youth are encouraged to participate in campaign by posting a video of their own words or phrases to social media with #Indigenouswhispers or #Chuchoteursautochtones.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-whispers-asmr-campaign-shares-language-1.5662153
‘BJP Is Not Very Concerned About Issues of Indigenous People,’ Says Chief of Tripura Ally IPFT
The indigenous people in the entire northeastern region including Tripura have been strongly objecting to the act. It is only because of the COVID-19 pandemic that we are not seeing protests, but there is a very strong resentment in the region over it. In Tripura, we have demanded that the Sixth Schedule areas of the state be kept out of the purview of the CAA.
https://thewire.in/politics/tripura-ipft-bjp-nc-debbarma-rift-caa-tipraland
Risk coronavirus or go hungry: an impossible choice faced by Colombia’s indigenous communities
“Many of our council members work in informal activities, selling artisanal handicrafts, food … they live from day to day,” Adolfo Calderón, governor of Medellín’s Chibcariwak Indigenous Council, told The Telegraph. “This is why the pandemic has hit our informal economy so hard.”
Although he says none of the 2,500 council members have contracted the virus, four months of lockdown have left them with no choice but to work and risk a fine – while exposing themselves to contagion – or to sacrifice their income and go hungry.
Tensions rise over COVID-19 outbreak in Haida Gwaii
A COVID-19 outbreak in Haida Gwaii has led to at least 13 new cases as well as a spike in tensions over how the virus got into the isolated First Nations community.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1768446531908
Rickford pledges more supports for communities
“Elected officials in every forum of government will now play a more prominent role in how resources and services are now delivered in our communities,” he said.
Rickford was officially invited to announce $1.2 million for the return of the bear clan patrol for a year, on a 24/7. 365 basis. He described it as a real-time response to an urgent situation.
The minister also noted the many resources available to those in need in the area.
https://www.drydennow.com/local/rickford-pledges-more-supports-for-communities