COVID-19 Daily News Digest – October 17, 2020
Indigenous Peoples Want Action, Not More Talk from Politicians
It was 39 minutes into the B.C. leaders’ election debate Tuesday night before Indigenous peoples were mentioned.
A sad reflection on the importance of Indigenous peoples in this province, though admittedly when the leaders got to the relevant questions, they were able to debate key issues. The debate was very revealing on the positions of the parties.
Election times are about getting a person you want elected to lead the province. It’s important to look closely at all that they are doing and not doing. Indigenous peoples in this province are very important, and our issues are your issues. When First Nations communities are benefiting, everyone benefits.
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2020/10/16/Indigenous-Peoples-Want-Action-Not-Talk/
First Nations elder alleges she was questioned about alcohol use in Winnipeg hospital
Her daughter, Sheila North, is the former grand chief for Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, an organization that represents northern First Nations. Sheila North said she was not allowed to stay with her mother due to COVID-19 restrictions even though her mother’s first language is Cree.
The elder said the original clerk who checked her in to the hospital was dismissive of her illness. She was told to sit and wait and didn’t get help to walk even though she was struggling.
Quebec First Nation on New Brunswick border reports first case of COVID-19
Despite having a very low infection rate since the pandemic began, New Brunswick has experienced two recent outbreaks, including one in the Campbellton area, where five new cases were reported Friday.
Health authorities say the Moncton and Campbellton health zones will remain in the orange alert level of the province’s COVID-19 recovery plan, which bans most indoor and outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people.
Indigenous minister says racism in health care can’t be fully addressed without provinces
“The reality is health is a jurisdiction that is jealously guarded by provinces,” Miller told reporters at a news conference.
“We need their help to reform it. We cannot reform the licensing bodies. We do not have the power. The Supreme Court has said it clearly in black and white. We need their help.”
Provinces need to address racism in the health-care system: Trudeau
The issue of anti-Indigenous racism in health care gained new attention from outrage over the treatment of Joyce Echaquan, who used her phone to livestream hospital staff using racist slurs against her as she lay dying in a Joliette, Que., hospital last month.
“But what we need to do is ensure that when federal money is invested according to its constitutional power, it is done in a fashion that reflects our values and our moral and legal duty to serve Indigenous Peoples and to ensure that they have first-class health care in the best country in the world.”
Indigenous murdered, missing acts signed into law
The Not Invisible Act, co-sponsored by the four sitting members of Congress who are tribal members, including Reps. Tom Cole and MarkWayne Mullen, both R-Okla., seeks to improve coordination between agencies that deal with violence against Native Americans.
Companion bills designed to change the way law enforcement responds to cases involving murdered or missing Indigenous women have been signed into law by President Donald Trump.
Combined, the two bills will improve coordination between agencies while developing a plan to combat the rising tide of missing, murdered and kidnapped Native Americans, something that has not happened before. More importantly it brings Indigeous people into the process.