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:
- The current number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada and in First Nations
- The FNHMA weekly Virtual Town Hall sessions
- An Informational video from Akwesasne on Respiratory Health.
- How to optimize the use of medical PPE
- Among other news...
See below for more information on these topics.
Click here to see the Last issue of the weekly health and wellness bulletin
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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 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 9, 2020 at 1pm EST.
The discussion will cover topics such as updates from FNHMA on ISC Communications; Updates from ISC Representatives Dr Tom Wong and Dr Valerie Gideon; and Youth activites during the Covid-19 pandemic
The 1st 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
The 2nd 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
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FNHMA Releases Public Service Announcement thanking First Nations Organizations and health workers during COVID-19
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The PSA provides reliable sources for information and updates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Special thanks to NationTalk for producing the video.
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‘Shame on you’: Unscrupulous suppliers prey on First Nations during COVID-19 pandemic
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Marion Crowe, the CEO of the First Nations Health Managers Association, said suppliers have been mailing First Nations personal protective equipment without their asking for it and then billing them for the unwanted supplies.
Click here
to read the full article from Windspeaker
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Marion Crowe, FNHMA, talks about scams during the weekly FNHMA Virtual Town Hall
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National and First Nation COVID-19 News
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Dr. Horn, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, provides tips about respiratory health
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Dr. Ojistoh Horn is a physician working with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne's Department of Health. In this video Dr. Horn shares tips on maintaining good respiratory health for those with underlying medical conditions like seasonal allergies, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea. This information is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Current Number of Cases in First Nations
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At least nine First Nations have confirmed cases of COVID-19, raising concerns about further transmission and prompting calls for greater responses from the federal and provincial governments. Cases have been reported in Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan. Both urban and remote communities have been affected, from Six Nations of the Grand River near Hamilton to the Cree Nation of Nemaska, more than 1,000 kilometres northwest of Montreal, to Onion Lake Cree Nation, about 300 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.
Click here
to read the full article from the Globe and Mail
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Optimizing the use of masks and respirators during the COVID-19 outbreak
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Masks and respirators (personal respiratory protective devices) are essential during the COVID-19 outbreak. They help slow the spread of the disease in Canada and protect health care providers. Both masks and respirators need to be used in combination with appropriate eye protection (e.g., face shield, goggles) to achieve full protection of the eyes, nose and mouth.
Click here
to read the full article on the ISC website
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Call for Proposals - Indigenous Community Support Fund: Urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations and communities
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This call for proposals allows Indigenous organizations providing services to Indigenous peoples in urban centres or off reserve to access funding from the
Indigenous Community Support Fund
to prepare for and react to the spread of COVID-19.
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Guidance and self screening tool for visiting and returning community members
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Indigenous Services Canada has developed a Guide and self screening tool for visitors and returning community members. Please find it attached.
We encourage you to share this self-screening tool with your community and to continue to educate community members on the best ways to prevent the introduction of the virus into communities and to protect the health and safety of all.
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Important info from previous issue
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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 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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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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