Volume 21 | August 28, 2020
FNHMA Health Bulletin: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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 the bulletin will include updated information surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In this bulletin you will find news and information regarding:

  •  The Federal Government Is Providing Another $305M For Aboriginal Organizations And Bands To Cope With COVID-19 
  • Shíshálh Woman To Lead Research On COVID Response For Vancouver’s Urban Indigenous Population 
  • Grand Chiefs Call For A Return To Travel Restrictions In Northern Manitoba  
  • Tourism Association Finally Pens Pandemic Funding Agreement With Indigenous Services  
  • Ontario First Nations Group Says Feds Refusing To Provide Aid For Safe School Reopening Plan 
  • Mom Adapts Rites Of Passage Due To COVID-19 For Son's First Hunt 
  • This First Nation School Resumed Classes 4 Weeks Ago. It's Been 'Nervewracking' But Successful, Staff Say
  • Why Are Indigenous Communities Seeing So Few COVID-19 Cases? (Answer: Data Not Being Collected In Same Format) 
  • Total Number Of First Nations Confirmed Cases In Canada As Of August 26


See below for more information on these topics.
FNHMA Weekly Virtual Town Hall

To view past Virtual Town Halls Click Here.
First Nations Webinars
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.
National and First Nation COVID-19 News
The Federal Government is Providing Another $305M for Aboriginal Organizations and Bands to Cope with COVID-19
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says the money is in part a recognition that the virus could hit first nation communities harder. Read more here.
Shíshálh Woman to Lead Research on COVID Response for Vancouver’s Urban Indigenous Population  
A shíshálh Nation woman has been awarded a grant to research the health-care system’s response to COVID-19 for Vancouver’s urban Indigenous population. Brittany Bingham recently became the first Indigenous PhD graduate from Simon Fraser University’s faculty of health sciences, and her earlier research and PhD involved community-based projects and the incorporation of methods that draw on Indigenous culture. Read more here.
Grand Chiefs Call for a Return to Travel Restrictions in Northern Manitoba 
With the number of COVID-19 cases rising in the province, First Nations leaders are urging the government to reintroduce travel restrictions to northern Manitoba. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief Garrison Settee and Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Arlen Dumas released a joint statement Sunday, calling for the Order Prohibiting Travel to Northern Manitoba under the Public Health Act to be re-imposed. Read more here.  
Tourism Association Finally Pens Pandemic Funding Agreement with Indigenous Services
After more than two months of negotiations, officials with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief this week. Read more at this link.
Ontario First Nations Group Says Feds Refusing to Provide Aid for Safe School Reopening Plan 
The Nishnawbe Aski Nation says Ottawa has “ignored urgent requests” for supplies and funding to insulate NAN schools against COVID-19. Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox says NAN communities are in particular need of personal protective equipment and sanitization supplies. Click here to read more.
Mom Adapts Rites of Passage Due to COVID-19 for Son's First Hunt 
When Marion Erickson's nine-year-old son Keom made his first kill — a porcupine — she realized they'd need to adapt the traditions that go along with this milestone in his life because of physical distancing restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read story.
This First Nation School Resumed Classes 4 Weeks Ago. It's Been 'nervewracking' But Successful, Staff Say 
Stein Valley Nlakapamux School has been in session for four weeks, with the first three weeks allowing students to attend on alternating days to reduce class sizes. Full classes resumed last week, and the current semester is set to run until Oct. 2. Click here to read story.
Why Are Indigenous Communities Seeing So Few Cases of COVID-19?
As of Aug. 6, the percentage of people living on First Nations reserves who have tested positive for COVID-19 was one-quarter that of the general Canadian population. Of a total 422 cases of COVID-19 on reserves, more than 80% have recovered. Six people have died — a fatality rate one-fifth that of the general population. According to Indigenous Services Canada, “First Nations communities are flattening the curve.” Click here to read more.
Total Number Of First Nations Confirmed Cases In Canada As Of August
As of August , 2020, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) records indicate that there are 438 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on First Nations reserves, in five provinces. There are also 35 hospitalizations, 411 recovered cases, and 6 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 disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update page.
‌
Accessing Additional Support Funds
Funding Available For Shelters On-Reserve
CMHC will provide funding of $31.7 million, delivered through its On-Reserve Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP), to build 10 shelters in First Nation communities on-reserve across the country. Forgivable loans for up to 100% of total eligible costs for the construction of new shelters.

Previous Health Bulletins
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.

Click the button to sign up to receive regular FNHMA emails and updates!
Supports & Regularly Updated Resources
FIRST NATIONS PANDEMIC PLANNING TOOL from FNHMA

FNHMA is pleased to announce the Pandemic Planning Tool for First Nations Communities. This tool is available to all First Nations communities, free of charge, in order to help them create their very own pandemic plan efficiently and effectively.
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.
Please note that service hours for InfoPoint have been updated.

InfoPoint will now be available from 9am until 5pm EDT, Monday to Friday.


InfoPoint is your trusted resource to find credible and reliable information on COVID-19.
FNHMA Updates
FNHMA Virtual Celebration
FNHMA is producing a dynamic 3-hour celebration, including powerful guest speakers, moving tributes, exciting musical guests, the presentation of the CFHI Leadership Award Leading Through Difficult Times, all this culminating in a ceremony honouring our 2020 graduates.
We will also acknowledge the contribution of individuals and organizations who recognize the importance of celebrating ALL health workers across the country for their tremendous contributions during these difficult times.

Is there someone in your community who is making a difference and showing signs of leadership during these difficult times? Prepare a brief video (30 seconds) by yourself or gather a group of colleagues / friends and tell us about this person. Send us your video and it could be chosen to air on November 4!

Add your voice to this powerful group by becoming a sponsor today!
Notice of External Job Opportunities

FNHMA has a number of external job opportunities that can be viewed at the link below! 
IMPORTANT NOTICE for FNHMA Working Hours

FNHMA working hours have changed for the summer season.

Effective immediatley, FNHMA staff will be working summer hours on Fridays.

FNHMA staff members will finish the work day at 12pm EDT, but will be available by email.
Important Notice for Intensive Course Schedule

For the safety of all participants and FNHMA staff all intensive courses are postponed until further notice.

Notice for Online Courses

Online courses will continue to be offered.

To register please contact Eva Keeshig at eva.keeshig@fnhma.ca
FNHMA staff are working from home and are available by email during this time.

For access to the staff directory visit https://fnhma.ca/contact-us/ or call
(613) 599-6070.

We are committed to providing the most up to date information and supporting our membership during this difficult time.

DID YOU KNOW?

FNHMA as well as Indigenous Health Today have a number of resources available online relating to COVID-19 awareness and prevention.

Click here to view the resource page on the FNHMA Website.

Click here to view the Inidgenous Health Today website.


Follow us on Social Media