Covid-19 Daily News Digest – September 22, 2020
Indigenous Food Circle a standing force during COVID-19 (2 photos)
“Communities were really resilient and learning about themselves and understanding that if you are in a lock down what do you do about food when you’re dependent on the supply change,” says Jessica Mclaughlin, member of the Long Lake 58 First Nation and coordinator of the Indigenous Food Circle.
While supplying Good Food Boxes to communities in need, IFC created and built stronger relationships with the people of these communities.
Government of Canada encouraging Indigenous participation in its response to COVID-19
As the country gradually restarts the economy, essential services organizations that experience short-term gaps in their personal protective equipment and supplies can apply for the ESCR to avoid disruptions in services to citizens.
While Indigenous businesses have been part of the response from the outset of the pandemic, PSPC is encouraging a greater presence of Indigenous businesses and individuals in its supplier base.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/government-canada-encouraging-indigenous-participation-180000212.html
B.C. privacy commissioner will hear First Nations complaints about COVID
The commissioner’s letter says the investigation was launched because “extensive communications” between First Nations and the Health Ministry before the complaint was lodged suggest an informal resolution is “unlikely to succeed.”
“The idea that we need to have an outbreak, as we have just had in our community, before B.C. will share information, is reckless and colonial, and it goes against B.C.’s own laws and promises of reconciliation,” Slett said in a news release the next day.
WABANO CENTRE PROVIDING POP-UP COVID-19 TESTING FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Lyons said there were 50 people booked for tests Monday and another 50 on Tuesday.
“We also have a waiting list, and it’s growing,” she said. “So we know Indigenous people want to come and get tested.”
With high demand at testing centres across the city—the Moodie Drive COVID-19 care clinic reached capacity for the day on Monday morning—the pop-up site provides some relief.
Secwépemc Nation calls for better notification processes of COVID-19
“The lack of communication to our band about confirmed COVID-19 cases is unacceptable,” Wilson said. “Our communities raised concerns about notification at the start of COVID-19, which have not yet been resolved, meaning our members do not have the opportunity to proactively increase their personal, family and community precautions against COVID-19.”
Outdoor learning COVID-19 renaissance
Ingrid Anderson is with the communications branch of the Ontario Ministry of Education and agrees that outdoor learning can enhance the delivery of existing curriculum, and educators have been given the leeway to make those decisions to move their lessons outside. She says that every year all Ontario school boards get outdoor education funding that totalled $17.7 million in 2020/2021.
“During these exceptional times when physical distancing is important, we are encouraging boards to be creative with the use of outdoor spaces that are available to them within reasonable walking distance,” she says.
How decolonizing public health has helped Indigenous communities control COVID-19
“Indigenous self-determination, leadership and knowledge have been successful in protecting Indigenous communities in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Indigenous communities don’t needs to be taken care of,” said Crawford.
“They need space for leadership, they need resources and they need some of the social inequities taken care of,
but they have the skills and the leadership to protect their people.”
Ottawa’s east end is getting a COVID-19 testing clinic
“This is something that we’ve been working really hard at for a long time,” Coun. Matthew Luloff, who represents Orléans, said Monday afternoon. “We need to ensure that my east end residents aren’t travelling 10 to 20 kilometres to get a test.”
https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ottawa-s-east-end-is-getting-a-covid-19-testing-clinic-1.5113906
How Indigenous communities stayed ahead of the pandemic
Although COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Canada, Indigenous communities have managed to keep infections low, despite initial fears about their vulnerability. Heather Yourex-West explains how they crushed the curve.
https://globalnews.ca/video/7349903/how-indigenous-communities-stayed-ahead-of-the-pandemic
COVID 19: Secwépemc Nation calls for better notification processes
“The lack of communication to our band about confirmed COVID-19 cases is unacceptable,” said Wilson. “Our communities raised concerns about notification at the start of COVID-19 which have not yet been resolved, meaning our members do not have the opportunity to proactively increase their personal, family and community precautions against COVID-19.”
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip supports fall election in B.C.
“I believe that calling this election is not only timely, but it is also prudent given the intensifying COVID-19 pandemic. I believe that now more than ever we need a strong government that carries a very focussed mandate in regard to many challenges facing B.C.,” Phillip said Monday.
“Now is not the time for a shaky coalition government that could fall at any moment. We need a majority government, a strong majority government with a strong mandate.”
https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/311207/Grand-Chief-Stewart-Phillip-supports-fall-election-in-B-C