FNHMA Health Bulletin: Coronavirus (COVID-19) |
Welcome to your weekly dose of the FNHMA Health and Wellness Bulletin. Each issue, we do our best to provide relevant information, resources and supports to help you and your team navigate through COVID-19.
In this week's edition, we are sharing:
- FNHMA Virtual Town Hall returns December 3, 2020
- Total Number of Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 ISC is aware of as of November 25, 2020
- Epidemiological Summary Of COVID-19 Cases In First Nations Communities (Data Current As Of November 20, 2020)
- “Feds Need Better Data On COVID-19 In Indigenous Communities, Miller Says”
- “Indigenous Communities In Sask., Alberta To Receive $120M For Coronavirus Fight”
- "COVID-19 and Opioid Crisis Cases out of Control: FNLC calls on the Government of BC to Implement Further Measures to Combat Dual Pandemics"
- "Some First Nations Seeing Uptick In COVID-19 Cases Despite Careful Beginning"
- "Fred Sasakamoose, One Of NHL's First Indigenous Players, Dies After COVID-19 Diagnosis"
- "Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement - "Congratulations To The 2020 Recipient Of The CFHI-FNHMA Excellence In Health Leadership Award""
- "Indigenous Services Canada Announces Recipients for 2020 Awards Of Excellence in Nursing"
- "NTI: Isolation Kits for Individuals Impacted By COVID-19"
- "National Addictions Awareness Week"
- Indigenous Community Support Fund: Needs-Based Funding Application - November 30 Deadline
Scroll down for these stories and more.
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Weekly Virtual Town Hall Update |
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The FNHMA Virtual Town Hall returns December 3, 2020
We will release our speaker list early next week. Stay tuned!
That means you can watch the next edition of our Town Hall live on December 3, 2020 @ 1pm ET.
Check our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages for the live stream information.
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Have a question for our Town Hall Speakers?
We'd love to hear from you.
Get your questions in early by emailing us with "Town Hall Q+A" in the subject line to
We may just answer your question live on the air!
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National and First Nation COVID-19 News |
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Total Number Of Confirmed Cases Of COVID-19 ISC Is Aware Of As Of November 25, 2020 |
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As of November 25, 2020, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) records indicate that there are 3451 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on First Nations reserves, in six provinces. There are 152 hospitalizations, 2022 recovered cases, and 29 deaths.
For more information on these numbers and for more information on how to keep your family safe, please click here.
Click Here to see the full ISC Coronavirus (COVID-19) an Indigenous communities page.
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Epidemiological Summary Of COVID-19 Cases In First Nations Communities (Data Current As Of November 20, 2020) |
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Cumulative reported, recovered, active and newly reported cases in First Nations communities (up to November 15-21, 2020)
The charts with epidemic curves over time (epi curves) below show:
- the cumulative totals of reported and recovered COVID-19 cases
- active cases
- Reported cases by First Nations communities by age group and sex
Epidemic curves of COVID-19 cases in First Nations communities on-reserve are available online, and updated weekly. While a recent rise in the number of cumulative, new and active COVID-19 cases suggests an increased transmission, the flattened epi curves observed over the summer months indicates many First Nations communities had been successful in their efforts to stop the spread of infections.
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“Feds Need Better Data On COVID-19 In Indigenous Communities, Miller Says” |
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"We’re currently looking at numbers that are close to four times the number of Indigenous people infected by COVID-19 during the first wave,”."
-The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services
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“Indigenous Communities In Sask., Alberta To Receive $120M For Coronavirus Fight” |
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"Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ottawa is providing $120 million in immediate funding for Indigenous communities suffering COVID-19 outbreaks in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Speaking to reporters outside his Rideau Cottage residence, Trudeau says the new money is for public health measures, food security and other surge capacity needs.
Trudeau says the funding will be sent to areas that are seeing concerning situations with rising COVID-19 cases."
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"COVID-19 and Opioid Crisis Cases out of Control: FNLC calls on the Government of BC to Implement Further Measures to Combat Dual Pandemics" |
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"The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is calling on the government of British Columbia to take increased and immediate action to fully address the COVID-19 pandemic and the equally devastating opioid crisis. Existing public health orders and measures being taken to prevent and respond to positive COVID-19 cases have not yet been successful in flattening the curve. We cannot afford to have COVID-19 cases to continue to rise exponentially in British Columbia.
First Nations governments play a critical role in protecting the health and well-being of their members; however, the Province has still not yet provided community-specific proximate data regarding the locations of positive cases and community transmission levels. More information is urgently required to inform sound decision-making, management of resources and facilities, and cooperation with other governments and health authorities.
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"Some First Nations Seeing Uptick In COVID-19 Cases Despite Careful Beginning" |
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"Pandemic fatigue playing a role in driving cases upward: doctors
Two Alberta doctors say COVID-19 is getting worse in their communities, despite avoiding huge numbers at the beginning of the pandemic.
Dr. James Makokis, a family physician in Kehewin First Nation, said some added measures were taken earlier this year for the safety of their residents, like security checkpoints on the nation's borders. But now, he said Kehewin is still seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases.
"We didn't have any cases during the first wave," Makokis said in an interview on Edmonton AM. "We've only now started to experience the first wave of cases in our area."
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"Fred Sasakamoose, One Of NHL's First Indigenous Players, Dies After COVID-19 Diagnosis |
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Canadian Foundation For Healthcare Improvement -
"Congratulations To The 2020 recipient Of The CFHI-FNHMA Excellence In Health Leadership Award"
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Congratulations to Bella Petawabano, Chair of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay, on being selected as the 2020 recipient of the CFHI-FNHMA on Excellence in Health Leadership Award.
This award is designed to recognize those who have exhibited a sincere and long-term commitment to, as well as in, leadership in First Nations health management in Canada.
This year, in particular, the award was focused on recognizing individuals who have supported their communities through difficult times."
To join the CFHI newsletter to catch stories like this and more, click here:
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Indigenous Services Canada Announces Recipients For 2020 Awards Of Excellence In Nursing |
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"Over recent months, we’ve seen unparalleled efforts by nurses to deliver healthcare with compassion and integrity in ever-changing and trying times. But through it all, nurses have remained the foundation that upholds and supports necessary healthcare in Indigenous communities. Today, I offer my sincerest congratulations to Brenda Moodie, Sharon Collins and Deborah Lynn Whitney-Hambleton (in memoriam) for their tremendous contributions to nursing and to serving First Nations and Inuit communities.”
The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services"
To learn more, click below:
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"NTI: Isolation Kits For Individuals Impacted By COVID-19" |
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"Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) announces Isolation Kits to provide supports and supplies for Nunavut Inuit directly affected by COVID-19. Isolation Kits will be provided to Nunavut Inuit who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are required to isolate for 14 days as a result of contact tracing.
NTI strongly encourages Inuit to follow the orders of the Chief Public Health Officer.
Isolation Kits are intended to support Nunavut Inuit to stay home. The kits will assist Inuit with food, cleaning supplies, a mask making kit, baby supplies and learning resources for children. Supplies will vary on the household and the information provided to NTI."
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"National Addictions Awareness Week" |
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It's National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW). NAAW is from November 22 to 28, 2020.
When posting to social media, use the hashtags #ChangeBeginsWithMe and #NAAW to show how you are trying to make changes in your community.
If you or someone you know needs help to manage the use of alcohol, drugs and other substances, Indigenous Services Canada has a list of resources that can help.
Click below to learn more about the available services and information for each:
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Flu And COVID-19 #StopTheSpread |
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Non-medical masks and face coverings: Sew and no-sew instructions
Learn how to make your own face covering to help protect yourself and others from infectious respiratory droplets.
Find out more about:
To access directions to the different methods (listed above), click here.
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Stop the spread of the flu and COVID-19 Indigenous Languages Posters: "Wash your hands" FREE DOWNLOADS
This year, In response to COVID-19, the Art for Aid Project has made "Was your hands" posters in various Indigenous languages available for free download.
Review the website and if your language is not available, you can contact artforaid2013@gmail.com for the poster to be created in your written language.
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Stop the spread of the flu and COVID-19
This year, it's especially important to help keep our communities healthy. Protect yourself and those around you.
It can be hard to tell the difference between symptoms of the flu and COVID-19. If you have symptoms, isolate yourself from others, and call your healthcare provider or local public health.
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FNHMA Pandemic Planning Tool Free Download |
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Did you know that the FNHMA has developed a Pandemic Planning Tool for First Nations Communities?
What can I expect with the FNHMA Pandemic Planning Tool?
- This tool is available to all First Nations communities, free of charge.
- FNHMA hopes that this new tool will help First Nations communities plan their pandemic responses.
- Includes the basics of developing a Community Pandemic Plan and can complement what you already have in place.
- A Community Pandemic Plan is usually part of an overall Community Emergency Plan, and as such, supports a more coordinated approach.
- This tool will serve health directors, program managers and community health representatives alike; not only to enhance their knowledge, but to hone their skills and abilities, as well as to help them continue to drive change and build healthier communities.
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Download the COVID Alert App today!
COVID Alert helps us break the cycle of infection. The app can let people know of possible exposures before any symptoms appear. That way, we can take care of ourselves and protect our communities.
If you test positive for COVID-19 you will receive a one-time key with your diagnosis to enter into COVID Alert. The app asks permission to share your random codes from the last 14 days in order to notify others that they may have been exposed.
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Accessing Additional Funding |
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Indigenous Community Support Fund: Needs-Based Funding Application - November 30 Deadline |
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The Indigenous Community Support Fund is needs-based funding to help Indigenous communities and organizations prevent, prepare and respond to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Deadline
For needs-based COVID-19 support funding, applicants are asked to submit their applications by November 30, as funding must be disbursed by Indigenous Services Canada by December 31, 2020. The department has put in place a streamlined review process so that applications are reviewed quickly and efficiently.
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Indigenous Support For Student Learning Program - Funding Opportunity |
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The "Indigenous Support for Student Learning Program (SSLP)"
This program is a time-limited project for Indigenous students who have limited financial resources, including those students living with disabilities.
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Indigenous Services Canada - New Financial Support |
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Indigenous Services Canada has a list of financial supports for:
- Indigenous individuals
- Indigenous students
- Indigenous organizations and communities
- Indigenous businesses
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Praxis SCI Accelerate Program |
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Praxis, Canada’s premier Spinal Cord Research Institute is offering $50K grants and over 200 hours of commercialization mentorship for post-prototype companies developing care/cure solutions that impact people with spinal cord injuries (SCI).
Through the Accelerate Program, which is a six-month commercialization program geared towards healthcare companies with a product ready to launch into market that will transform the lives of people living with SCI.
Deadline to apply: December 10, 2020
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A number of Partner and National Indigenous Organizations are and have been producing webinars in order to continue supporting First Nations in a changing landscape.
To view more please follow the links below and be directed to that organization's webinar page.
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Supports & Regularly Updated Resources |
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The following organizations have resources to combat COVID-19. These resources are regularly updated and are available to view at any time.
Please click below to be directed to more information.
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Indigenous Health Today houses many different resources and provides recent news updates via email.
Please subscribe to their health brief as a valued FNHMA Partner.
Click the link to subscribe today!
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Please note that service hours for InfoPoint have been updated.
InfoPoint will now be available from 9am until 5pm EDT, Monday to Friday.
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Previous Health Bulletins |
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If you missed or would like to see any of our weekly health bulletins, we have included a link to all of our previous volumes.
Click Here to see all previous Health and Wellness Bulletins.
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