Covid-19 Daily News Digest – March 23, 2020
- Families turned away, as social distancing cuts space in Winnipeg domestic violence shelters.
Ikwe Widdjiitiwin Inc., an Indigenous women’s and children’s family and domestic violence shelter which normally has 35 spots, and Willow Place, a domestic violence shelter which normally has 38 spots, are full and referring women in crisis to other domestic violence shelters outside of Winnipeg.
Both sites provide meals, lodging and specialized crisis support for 30 days to women and families. The centres have reduced their bed numbers to create distance between rooms, in line with public health requirements to reduce the spread of COVID-19. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/coronavirus-winnipeg-domestic-violence-1.5505137 - Indigenous jingle dress dancing goes ‘viral’ on social media to help heal the world.
Shyla Tootoosis has received electronic messages from as far away as Texas, Germany and New Zealand. Tootoosis, 11, is one of hundreds of young girls who have, with the assistance of their parents, posted videos of themselves dancing and praying in their jingle dresses.
“It’s a really beautiful dance that provides healing,” said Tootoosis, who is from Thunderchild First Nation in Saskatchewan. “When I was growing up I was always taught to pray for one another, and it was a true honour to pray for the world.” https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/jingle-dress-dance-healing-covid-19-pandemic-1.5504903 - MP Report: Band together to stop COVID-19.
Says Nikki Ashton, NDP MP serving federal electoral district of Churchill—Keewatinook Aski in Manitoba, Canada.
As the pandemic crisis escalates, a number of things are clear. It can have particularly devastating impacts on vulnerable populations. At the same time, some jurisdictions have had success in slowing and even containing the virus. What has been clear is that comprehensive and in many cases dramatic action has been taken. https://www.thereminder.ca/columns/mp-report/mp-report-band-together-to-stop-covid-19-1.24102872 - COVID-19 in Sask: Premier threatens international travellers who don’t self-isolate with arrest, fines.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) called on the provincial government to be more transparent about the location of people infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The FSIN, which represents 73 First Nations in the province, asked the Scott Moe government Friday to “release the locations of the COVID-19 confirmed and presumptive cases.”
“This information is vital to the health and safety of the people in those areas, both First Nations and non-First Nations,” FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said in a media release. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/saskatchewan-coronavirus-1.5504240 - K’atl’odeeche First Nation declares state of emergency over COVID-19
Anyone entering the First Nation, either by the all-season road or the ice road, will have to show a security guard proof of band membership. The public will be turned away until leadership decides the lockdown is over.
Supply trucks carrying groceries and other supplies will still be allowed in the First Nation, a notice from the First Nation said. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/katlodeeche-first-nation-emergency-covid-1.5503961 - Assembly of First Nations: Covid-19 and Canada’s Economic Response Plan for First Nations
The announcement includes $305 million for an Indigenous Communities Support Fund. AFN is working to get more information on how the fund can be accessed and used by First Nations. http://www.netnewsledger.com/2020/03/20/assembly-of-first-nations-covid-19-and-canadas-economic-response-plan-for-first-nations/ - Indigenous ‘at much greater risk’ amid coronavirus pandemic
Dr. Stephane McLachlan, a professor in the department of environment and geography at the University of Manitoba in central Canada, is involved in a newly funded research project that aims to outline Indigenous-led ways to combat COVID-19 called kitatipithitamak mithwayawin. It means “we have ownership/sovereignty over health” in Cree.
“It’s clear that Indigenous people everywhere are susceptible [and] have been devastated by these pandemics in the past,” he said. “People are relatively isolated, they had inadequate access to healthcare to begin with, the housing is often crowded … food insecurity is an issue sometimes and certainly unemployment rates – those all act to make people more vulnerable.”
The research team – which includes several Indigenous scholars, health agencies and community leaders – will evaluate past and current pandemic response plans and come up with solutions to fill gaps and better meet the needs of Indigenous peoples in Canada, he said.
“There is very little ability to get ahead of [an outbreak] and to act proactively,” McLachlan told Al Jazeera, about what typically happens when a virus or disease is spreading. “What this funding allows us to do is to get ahead.” https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/indigenous-greater-risk-coronavirus-pandemic-200320185556308.html - Keeping remote Indigenous communities safe from Coronavirus (COVID-19)
“Coronavirus is spreading in Australia, the virus makes people sick. It can be dangerous, especially for our Elders or people who are already unwell.” See what the Australian government is doing down under. https://www.indigenous.gov.au/news-and-media/stories/coronavirus-communities-safe - Exclusive: Emergency coronavirus funds for American Indian health stalled
The Trump administration has held up $40 million in emergency aid Congress approved earlier this month to help American Indians combat the coronavirus — a delay that’s left tribal leaders across the nation frustrated and ill-equipped to respond to the fast-growing outbreak.
The funding has languished in bureaucratic limbo for weeks, despite increasingly urgent pleas from tribal organizations desperate to stockpile essential supplies and keep health clinics operational. Federally run American Indian health facilities are well short on hospital beds and ventilators, some frontline clinics received fewer than a dozen coronavirus tests, and federal officials have already signaled there will be little in the way of reinforcements — telling tribal leaders that all they can send right now are expired respirators. https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/20/coronavirus-american-indian-health-138724 - COVID-19: First Nations Community Guide on Accessing Additional Supports
Learn more about Indigenous Services Canada and COVID-19.
https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1584819394157/1584819418553 - A new breed of celebrity in the age of COVID-19: the chief medical officer
Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief public health officer, recently told reporters he would work every day until the COVID-19 pandemic is under control. A specialist in public health and preventive medicine, Roussin worked with the federal First Nations and Inuit Health Branch and was a medical officer of health for northern Manitoba before taking up his current position.
Roussin and Lanette Siragusa, chief nursing officer, have drawn praise for providing up-to-date information about the spread of the virus in the province.
Roussin’s calm demeanour and straightforward answers in the province’s daily online briefings have been noted. He takes time to discuss the unique challenges COVID-19 poses for Manitoba’s Indigenous population and has held a specific news conference to discuss how northern First Nations communities can stay safe during the pandemic. https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/news/a-new-breed-of-celebrity-in-the-age-of-covid-19-the-chief-medical-officer-1.24103806 - First Nations in “unique situation” on COVID-19: Mamakwa
“When you see the streets are bare, it’s almost like from a movie,” says Sol Mamakwa, the Kiiwetinoong MPP. “There’s no playbook on how to handle this, that’s the issue we’re facing. As elected officials, we have to work together and try to provide the best pandemic plan to minimize the impact of the coronavirus in our communities.”
But while the first-term MPP has been spending time at Queen’s Park working to address the crisis, much of his focus is on how the pandemic might affect remote First Nations communities in his riding. Mamakwa says while their relative isolation may help slow or prevent the spread of the virus, many are particularly vulnerable should COVID-19 arrive. https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/first-nations-in-unique-situation-on-covid-19-mamakwa-2189001 - ‘What medicines work?’: Canada’s scientists at forefront of fight against COVID-19
There are studies into faster diagnostic tests, how the disease is transmitted and the structure of the virus itself. Some are looking at the effects on children or Indigenous people or on food security. Other scientists are considering why some people ignore public health warnings and how the public perceives risk. Some are asking how to keep health workers safe. Lessons from past public-health crises are also being studied. https://globalnews.ca/news/6714833/coronavirus-canada-scientists-covid/ - Just 1 coronavirus case has been reported in the territories. Experts hope it stays that way
“Taking these steps now, before COVID-19 shows up in our territory, is the best thing we can do to lessen the impact it will have when it comes.”
“Taking these steps now, before COVID-19 shows up in our territory, is the best thing we can do to lessen the impact it will have when it comes.”
The following day, the territory announced a ban on all non-essential travel — just hours before announcing its first case. https://globalnews.ca/news/6711598/coronavirus-cases-territories/ - Take a Virtual Tour of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
The 25-minute video follows a museum guide through two new galleries on the museum’s second level — Indigenous Perspectives and Canadian Journeys.“You’ll see the 360-degree “basket” theatre adorned with 13 Spirit Panels inspired by the visions of Indigenous youth, an 800-year-old moccasin print and the glowing alabaster rampways,” CMHR said in a release.
https://www.chrisd.ca/2020/03/21/canadian-museum-for-human-rights-virtual-tour/ - Pause sweat lodges and pipe ceremonies, restrict contact to stop COVID-19, say Indigenous doctors
Dr. James Makokis, from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in central Alberta, says ceremonies that pose a risk need only be stopped until the spread of coronavirus in Canada is contained.
He also asked Indigenous people to remember how their ancestors survived the small pox and Spanish flu outbreaks — by social distancing.
“So yes, socially distance, modify some of your ceremonies and cultural practices or conduct them just with the family you live with, and also listen to what the health authorities are telling us,” Makokis said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/covid-suspend-sweat-lodges-pipe-ceremonies-1.5504541