COVID-19 Daily News Digest – May 1, 2020
First Nations doctors speak out on Canada’s ‘troublesome’ pandemic response
In an interview with APTN News, the doctors say that credit for keeping the virus out should go to communities themselves, that Indigenous people still experience racism in the health-care system, and that closing the health gap by getting more doctors into more communities permanently is critical to achieving reconciliation.
I-SPARC launches “Be The Spark” campaign in light of postponed Indigenous Games
“Team BC athletes and Development Squad athletes are encouraged to stay in touch with one another virtually through online workouts, video chat meetings, social media and teamwork challenges … We remind everyone to keep moving, keep soaring and be the spark,” said Team B.C. Chef de Mission Lara Mussell Savage.
Canada: Canada’s Covid-19 Economic Response Plan: Federal Funding For Indigenous Communities And Businesses
The recent funding allocated by the Federal Government to support Indigenous communities, organizations, and businesses during COVID-19 will prove to be important resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding can be used to help communities improve their public health response to the pandemic, to assist Indigenous businesses that are navigating uncertain economic circumstances, and to support Indigenous students who are continuing their education.
Barricades, curfews and how some First Nations are keeping COVID-19 at bay
First Nations in Atlantic Canada have no recorded cases of COVID-19, allaying initial fears the virus could be particularly devastating for vulnerable populations in those communities.
But stopping the spread of the virus has come with widespread restrictions on freedom on several reserves, where measures that far surpass provincial health orders have been imposed.
The COVID-19 Crisis In Indian Country Exposes Broken Treaties & US Obligations
On this edition of Your Call, we’re discussing how COVID-19 is affecting Indian Country. There are nearly 1,900 confirmed cases across the Navajo Nation and 60 reported deaths.
https://www.kalw.org/post/covid-19-crisis-indian-country-exposes-broken-treaties-us-obligations
CRARR wants data on how COVID-19 affects minorities
“Just as we have been instrumental in highlighting the Montreal police’s role in the racial profiling of black, Arab and Indigenous citizens, examining the high incidents of COVID-19 in highly multiracial areas will help call attention to racial disparities in health care, housing, education and jobs for this population. Precedents exist, present laws allow it, and all that is required is political will.”
B.C. inmate who died from apparent COVID-19 complications was serving life sentence for 1990 murder
More than 100 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 at Mission Institution — about a third of the inmate population. At least a dozen people working at the prison, many of them correctional officers, have also contracted the virus. The death of Felker has prompted a number of groups, including the BC Civil Liberties Association, to call for the provincial government, chief coroner, and solicitor general to launch an inquest.
Nunavut begins contact tracing in connection with first COVID-19 case
“Since the onset of the pandemic, we knew that no combination of preventative measures can absolutely guarantee COVID-19 will not arrive. We anticipated that sooner or later the virus would be detected in the territory,” Patterson said.
Advocacy group urging province to include equity-seeking communities in economic recovery plan
“Understanding the social determinants of health by analyzing equity-based COVID-19 data is critical to help us understand how best to stop the spread in these communities, and to inform Ontario’s economic recovery plans,” she continued
Pandemic Impacting Indigenous Communities
Miller said the Hope for Wellness helpline is also available for immediate culturally safe telephone crisis intervention 24/7 for First Nations, Inuit and Metis at 1-855-242-3310.
“These are real and understandable reactions and there are mental wellness supports available to help. It’s important to underscore that many communities and service providers are adapting their operations to respect the requirement for physical distancing and they should continue to do so,” he said.
Indigenous Services minister says communities handling COVID-19 pandemic well
Miller said earlier this week the government hasn’t done any Indigenous-specific modelling because it isn’t receiving “disaggregated” data from provinces.
Citing privacy concerns, Wong refused to say which community is hardest hit but APTN knows of 29 cases in La Loche in Sask., and 26 on the island where ‘Namgis First Nation in B.C. is located.
On-reserve COVID-19 case rates approaching ‘watershed moment,’ says Indigenous Services top doctor
“There is a way that community efforts can really contribute to bending the curve,” said Wong.
“Over the next two weeks, that is the watershed moment that we want the curve to be coming down.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/coronavirus-first-nation-on-reserve-rates-1.5551516
La Loche the most concerning COVID-19 outbreak in Canada, epidemiologist says
The La Loche outbreak is the first I am aware of in an isolated Northern First Nations community. These communities may have been protected in part by their remoteness, but COVID-19 spreading through such communities is potentially disastrous. Many lack strong health systems and resources at the best of times; COVID-19 causes severe lung disease that often necessitates intensive care. It is very difficult to med-evac large numbers of people south for ICU care. If this begins to cause epidemics in isolated northern communities many folks will die up north or die on the way south to care
Most vulnerable also most endangered by COVID-19
COVID-19 has brought so much misery to Canada. However, it would be an important stroke of irony if this virus can help us see “the invisibles” that are so easy to ignore and finally do something to ease their suffering, which existed long before the pandemic arrived.
Indigenous ceremonies being postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19
“Treaty days is looking ever bleak,” said Hudson. “Everybody from elders to youth look forward to this event and as far as the economic impact just alone our band puts up probably about $800,000 to this event and people get a chance to make money with their treaty stands and the various activities that go on throughout the week or 10 days I guess and beginning in mid-July.”
First Nations ramping up efforts to address food insecurity
In the past two weeks, Ms. Cameron, a regional co-ordinator for Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario, has co-ordinated the sale – or donation – of nearly 4,500 kilograms of potatoes to lower-income families in the Kenora area, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and one First Nation.
COVID-19 threat to Indigenous people and quarantine stream; In The News for May 1
Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller and Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal are scheduled to be grilled by MPs at a virtual meeting of the House of Commons Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee.
The Helpers | This week’s stories of people stepping up in a pandemic
CEO and co-founder, Mario Thomas, said they typically use the DNA test kits they developed to detect viruses in animals and to check for contamination in food. Now, the company has adapted the tests to detect COVID-19.
Thomas said he hopes the kits will be used by groups that need it most, such as remote Indigenous communities, food processing plants and long-term care homes.
Nunavut leaders say be kind as Pond Inlet wrestles with territory’s 1st COVID-19 case
“One of the reasons why we are not discussing details about the individual is to respect their privacy and protect them from stigma, shame, blame and physical threat,” Michael Patterson said.
“No one brought this virus to Nunavut on purpose, no one deserves to be shamed or blamed at this time. The whole world is experiencing this uncertainty and fear,” Joe Savikataaq said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/pond-inlet-covid-19-confirmed-case-1.5551639
COVID-19 Pandemic is a Teachable Moment on Native American History
There is a temptation to conclude that the viruses were so devastating among Native American people solely because they had “no immunity” to them. That, however, overly simplifies a complex set of causative factors and might give rise to erroneous propositions, such as: (1) the enormous loss of Native lives was inevitable after European contact, and (2) European colonialism and colonial policies were not significant contributing causes of one of history’s great public health disasters.
https://www.eriereader.com/article/covid19-pandemic-is-a-teachable-moment-on-native-american-history
COVID-19 Hits Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders Hardest
Despite the higher COVID-19 risk among NHPI, it is important to remember and recognize the resiliency and fortitude of NHPI communities and their cultural assets that can be leveraged to reduce the adverse impact of COVID-19. Despite two centuries of colonization, occupation, and exploitation by Western powers, NHPI communities continue to flourish while maintaining their unique cultural values, perspectives, practices, and aspirations. The value and practice of Aloha(compassion), Mālama (caring), and Lōkahi (unity), although said differently across the different NHPI languages, provide the guiding principles to overcome any challenge