COVID-19 Daily News Digest – May 9, 2020
Indigenous companies signing up to get piece of billion dollar clean up fund
They’re one of 20,000 applications for the billion dollar fund.
“With this program, for those wells that are inactive, we will have an opportunity to participate in that and take care of that part of business. And it’s going to take our service rigs. I think we are going to take on this opportunity to be able to enhance and benefit the company, and be able to create jobs for our people,” he says.
Federal COVID-19 Indigenous business relief still leaves ‘critical gaps,’ says financial organization
“While this funding is supportive of many of our community member owned businesses, it does not take into account our need for support for our band-owned businesses,” said Chief Terry Paul, of Membertou First Nation in Nova Scotia.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/covid-19-federal-funding-indigenous-businesses-1.5556381
Indigenous physicians share their experiences dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic
“I had a month to reflect, and think and do ceremony. I smoke my pipe every day,” said the Cree physician. “I got to the point where I was able to see that this virus is here to teach us. I see what’s happening to Mother Earth with the decreased travel – there are a lot of positive things happening with the healing of Mother Earth and I think we need to reflect on that this was sent for a reason — for us to reflect.
“It’s teaching time’: Children of survivors of past pandemics say there are things to be learned
“Now, with our kids not going to school now I see them going to the creek in the morning and stuff like that, and it’s good for them,” he says.
“Young people are learning how to discipline themselves.”
COVID-19: A north-south divide emerges in fight against virus
“There’s a stigma on La Loche, like we have started this virus,” Herman said. “We just need help.”
“I think some peoples’ opinions shouldn’t override the fact that this is not originating from La Loche,” he said. “It’s a pandemic. It’s around the world.”
First Nation, Metis, Inuit leaders concerned about Indigenous COVID-19 outbreaks
“Canada must engage First Nations directly to properly address the circumstances we face and respect First Nations’ jurisdiction. That includes a seat at any table addressing the current health crisis — even in the future when you start looking at reopening the economy, we have to be at those tables.”
COVID-19 live updates: People defying public health orders a concern in north
“(If it’s happening) I would ask them to stop,” Moe said during a media conference on Friday. “It does affect the elders that we love … so I would ask the youth in La Loche to take their personal responsibility very, very seriously.
First Nations COVID-19 cases undercounted, says AFN national chief
David Chartrand, vice-president of the Métis National Council, said Métis are still being left behind. He said the Métis have been hit harder than their First Nations neighbours during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in La Loche, Sask., as a result of negligence by the federal and provincial government.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-leaders-covid19-data-testing-1.5562555
Chiefs of Ontario says COVID-19 spike is coming, urges First Nations to keep communities closed
The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) is urging First Nations across the province to keep communities closed as officials expect a spike in COVID-19 cases over the weekend and the rest of May.
The COO, which represents 133 First Nations in Ontario, says higher rates of testing is showing more positive tests for the virus that has ravished parts of the province – especially in long term care facilities.
Seeds and sheep to help Indigenous people grappling with COVID-19 in the Four Corners area
“Our people are sheltering in place, following public health orders from the Navajo Nation, the counties, the states,” he said in an interview Friday with FOX 13. “One solution we decided to come up with was to provide seeds to families who want to plant. Planting is integral to our culture.”