FNHMA Health and Wellness Bulletin: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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This weekly health and wellness bulletin is intended to provide facts, resources for supports and outline potential actions to organizations, communities, and their members. Each week will include different and updated information focused on COVID-19.
In this issue, the topics and updates to be provided are:
- Guidance for Long Term Care homes and Nursing Homes in Indigenous Communities
- The current number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in First Nations communities
- The FNHMA weekly Virtual Town Hall sessions
- ISC Update on PPE
- Canadian Summer Job Program
- FSIN and their need for more measures for health workers in Northern Sask.
- An opinion Piece from Perry Bellegarde
- A podcast from National Chief Perry Bellegarde featuring Marion Crowe
See below for more information on these topics.
Click here to see Volume 2 / March 27 issue of the weekly health and wellness bulletin
Click here to see Volume 3 / April 7 issue of the weekly health and wellness bulletin
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FNHMA Weekly Virtual Town Hall
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FNHMA has committed to providing these Virtual Town Halls on a weekly basis. Each week will feature different guest organizations, representatives, and focus on different topics related to COVID-19.
The next Town Hall Session will be aired on Thursday
April 16, 2020 at 1pm EST. This week's focus will be on what Indigenous youth are doing to raise awareness during Covid-19.
The speakers this week will be:
Tunchai Redvers, Co-Founder & Executive Director, We Matter
Rosalie LaBillois, Co-Chair, Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council
Cedric Gray, Quebec Representative, Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council
(Moderator) Marion Crowe, Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Health Managers Association
March 25 FNHMA Virtual Town Hall is available to view
Here
- The discussion covered topic such as updates from FNHMA on ISC Communications; Tools and Rellevant Sources of Information; and Supports that are available during COVID-19
April 2 FNHMA Virtual Town Hall is available to view
Here.
- The discussion covered topics such as updates from FNHMA on ISC Communications; Tools and Relevant Sources of Information; and Using Culture to Support Wellness During COVID-19
April 9 FNHMA Virtual Town Hall is available to view
Here.
- The discussion covered topics such as updates from Dr. Tom Wong ISC and Dr. Valerie Gideon FNIHB; Tools and Relevant Sources of Information; and a focus on Youth.
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Marion Crowe, CEO of FNHMA Joins Perry Bellegarde for first episode of Ahkameyimok Podcast
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National Chief Perry Bellegarde leads discussions on important issues affecting First Nations Peoples. the first episode is titled:
COVID-19 and the First Nations Response and the guest speaker was FNHMA's own Marion Crowe.
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National and First Nation COVID-19 News
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COVID-19 Guidance for Long Term Care homes and Nursing
Homes in Indigenous Communities
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ISC has released an infographic that outlines guidelines for Long Term Homes and Nursing Homes in Indigenous Communities.
This infographic lays out guidlines such as:
- Screening
- Self-monitoring and self-isolation
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Visitors
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Number of COVID-19 cases reported in Indigenous communities more than doubles
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The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Indigenous communities across the country has more than doubled since last week, according to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).
Last Thursday, ISC reported 15 cases. As of Monday, the department said it was aware of four cases reported in Saskatchewan, 11 in Ontario and 20 in Quebec but some Indigenous leaders are questioning the accuracy of the data.
Click here to view the full article from CBC Indigenous news
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ISC Update on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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Indigenous Services Canada provides PPE in cases where other sources of are unavailable. Many First Nation communities have supplier arrangements with local PPE sources. If a province or territory is unable to process their requests for health care purposes, they should contact ISC Regional Offices.
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FSIN want more measures for healthcare professionals after COVID-19 case in Northern Sask.
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The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is calling on the province to put better measures in place for healthcare professionals servicing First Nations.
The FSIN said in a news release Saturday a COVID-19 case has been confirmed up north in Saskatchewan’s most isolated communities. On April 10, the
Athabasca Health Authority
indicated a person in Stony Rapids was in self-quarantine after testing positive for the virus.
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Perry Bellegarde, AFN National Chief, urges government to support First Nations financially during COVID-19
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On
Wednesday, Apr 8, 2020
, Perry Bellegarde AFN National Chief spoke at the Standing Committee on Finance to urge the government to support First Nations during COVID-19 and make federal funding available to communities as soon as possible. The inequalities between First Nations and Canadians need to be addressed.
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CAMH, an info sheet on how to talk to children and youth about COVID-19
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This time may be very challenging for children and adolescents, some of whom might not understand the reasons for school closures and the cancellation of extracurricular activities. In addition, they are likely to be bombarded with information through social media and from their friends that can cause anxiety and alarm.
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Prime Minister amends Canada Summer Jobs Program to employ more students
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There will be 70,000 more full-time and part-time jobs available for students through the Canada Summer Jobs Program due to a new announcement from the federal government.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced several changes to the 2020 Canada Summer Jobs Program as part of the federal government’s response to COVID-19 at a press conference on April 8. The program provides wage subsidies for non-profit, public sector, and small business organizations to offer employment to students.
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Canadain Red Cross mobilizing volunteers across the country in response to COVID-19
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There will be 70,000 more full-time and part-time jobs available for students through the Canada Summer Jobs Program due to a new announcement from the federal government.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced several changes to the 2020 Canada Summer Jobs Program as part of the federal government’s response to COVID-19 at a press conference on April 8. The program provides wage subsidies for non-profit, public sector, and small business organizations to offer employment to students.
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Accessing Additional Support Funds
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COVID-19: First Nations Community Guide on Accessing Additional Supports
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Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is working closely with First Nation partners, the Public Health Agency of Canada, other departments to protect the health and safety of First Nations.
For more information please
Click Here
or to download the
PDF
that includes important information about accessing supports.
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Details on the Indigenous Community Support Fund
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On March 18, the Government of Canada announced a series of economic measures which included $305 million for a new Indigenous Community Support Fund.
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Supports & Regularly Updated Resources
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The Assembly of First Nations has a web-page to provide updates to First Nations about the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 24, 2020, AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde declared a state of emergency for all First Nations regarding COVID-19. This web-page is a resource that AFN is using to inform and update First Nations
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Keep up to date on how Indigenous Service Canada (ISC) is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation and the responses to it are changing hour by hour, so keeping up to date with the most recent information is of the utmost importance
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The Government of Canada provides update statements regularly. It is important to stay up to date with these announcements because they all have new and relevant information for First Nations communities, organizations, and businesses.
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The Thunderbird Partnership Foundation offers seven ICBoC certified courses and a large array of toolkits which provide addiction and treatment center workers with the special skills and knowledge needed to work effectively within First Nations communities. :
Phone: (519) 692-9922
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The First Peoples Wellness Circle (FPWC) is a national not-for-profit corporation governed and managed by Indigenous Leaders and exists to improve the lives of Canada's First Peoples by addressing healing, wellness and other mental health challenges. FPWC is a national corporation with membership open to all Canadians who are committed to similar goals.
If you require these supports please contact
Phone: 1-705-393-4942
Email: info@fpwc.ca
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FNHMA staff will be working from home and are available by email during this time.
(613) 599-6070.
We are committed to providing the most up to date information and supporting our membership during this difficult time.
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FNHMA has a page of resources and information for COVID-19 awareness and preperation.
Click here
to view the resource page on the FNHMA Website.
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Follow us on Social Media
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