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:
- Rapid Testing Kits
- Additional financial supports for First Nations buisnesses
- ISC Statement on elections cancellations and postponment during Covid-19
- A report from StatsCan about the characteristics of First Nations and what makes them vulnerable to Covid-19
- How we can contribute to flattening the curve of Covid-19
- How First Nations are grappling with Covid-19
See below for more information on these topics.
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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 23, 2020 at 1pm EST. This week's focus will be
The speakers this week will be:
Dr. Perry Bellegarde, National Chief, Assembly of First Nations
Dr. Valerie Gideon, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Indigenous Services Canada - First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Robin Buckland,
Executive Director & Chief Nursing Officer, Indigenous Services Canada - First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
(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.
April 16 FNHMA Virtual Town Hall is available to view
Here.
- The discussion covered topics such as updates from Indigneous Youth organizations about their activities during covid-19 and how indigneous youth can access supports and stay connected.
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National and First Nation COVID-19 News
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Rapid testing kits for COVID-19
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The government of Canada acknowledges the need to increase COVID-19 testing quickly across Canada. Many options are being explored that are in use by other countries; and, Canada continues to explore options to determine the quality of those tests before they enter Canada.
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This report is a breakdown of all known cases in Canada based on province. Keeping up to date on the current Covid-19 cases can help you decide on what actions to take for yourself and your community.
Click here to see the full outbreak update page from Health Canada
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Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau
announced Saturday April 18th, the federal government will spend $306.8 million to help Indigenous businesses affected by the
novel coronavirus
pandemic. The money will give Indigenous businesses access to short-term interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions, Trudeau told reporters.
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On April 16, 2020 Indigneous Service Minister Marc Miller said "
"During this pandemic, the health and well-being of Indigenous communities is our primary focus. We recognize the public health risks of holding an election during a pandemic and are working to ensure there are no gaps in governance.
We have recommended that First Nations with upcoming elections not proceed with elections at this time, due to the current public health risks associated with large gatherings"
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While the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the lives of all Canadians, the Public Health Agency of Canada (
PHAC
) has indicated that certain health, social and economic characteristics are associated with a higher risk of contracting or spreading the COVID-19 virus and developing serious complications.
This release is the first of a series that will report on these characteristics for First Nations people, Métis and Inuit and on the significant economic, social and health challenges that could play a role in how COVID-19 affects the lives of Indigenous people in Canada.
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The federal minister of Indigenous Services says even though the number of COVID-19 cases on reserves remains low, no one should be complacent. Marc Miller told reporters during a news conference on Friday that borders and checkpoints are good for identifying people with COVID-19 entering a community, as well as making people aware of the disease, but the checkpoints can lead people to believe they are safe.
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While the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increases in First Nations across the country, some communities have issued lockdowns, erected checkpoints, and implemented curfews to curb the spread of the pandemic.
The Opaskwayak Cree Nation near The Pas, Man., passed a motion to evict tenants who continue to disobey physical distancing rules by having large gatherings, house parties, or selling illicit drugs.
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Wondering how to help with Canada's COVID-19 effort? Here are some concrete, meaningful ways to contribute and make a real difference in the lives of fellow Canadians.
Click here
to see the full list of reccomendations
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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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Previous Health and Wellness Bulletins
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If you missed or would like to see any of our weekly health bulletins, we have included links to our previous volumes.
Click the links below to see previous Health and Wellness Bulletins.
Click here to see Volume 1 / March 23 issue of the weekly health and wellness bulletin
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
Click here to see Volume 4 / April15 issue of the weekly health and wellness bulletin
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Click the button to sign up to receive regular FNHMA emails and updates!
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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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