Volume 10 | June 2, 2020
FNHMA Health And Wellness 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:

  • Ottawa Announces $650M in COVID-19 Funding for Indigenous Communities
  • CBC features First Nations health care workers on the front lines fighting COVID-19
  • Issues some First Nations are facing due to travel restrictions
  • Why some First Nations Communities are uninviting visitors
  • Quebec First Nations remain closed after Quebec reopens
  • First Nations commercial fishermen consider starting season as they await federal relief
  • Chippewas of Nawash Offers Food Support to Off-Reserve Members
  • Funding Resources from the NIB Trust Fund

See below for more information on these topics.
FNHMA Weekly Virtual Town Hall
FNHMA is committed to providing 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 latest Town Hall Session aired Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 1pm EDT. To view click Here

The speakers were:

Dr. Valerie Gideon , Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Indigenous Services Canada/FNIHB
Terry Goodtrack , President & CEO, AFOA Canada


To view past Virtual Town Halls Click Here.
National and First Nation COVID-19 News
Government Announces $650M in COVID-19 Funding for Indigenous Communities
Announced Friday, May 29, the federal government is making an additional $650 million available for Indigenous communities to deal with current COVID-19 needs and prepare for a potential second wave of the pandemic, said Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller.

The new funding will go toward the public health response to the pandemic, the on-reserve income assistance program and the construction of new women's shelters.

Click Here to see the full article
CBC Indigenous to Highlight First Nations Front Line Workers Battling COVID-19
Throughout the month of June, CBC Indigenous is introducing you to some of the health care workers who are keeping our communities safe. 

The article below highlight three First Nations health care workers and shares insight on what they do, why they do it and how COVID-19 is affecting them

Click Here to see the full article
First Nations Communities Facing New Issues Due to Travel Restrictions
In Saskatchewan, some First Nation communities are feeling like a double-standard is being placed on them in terms of travel restrictions and rules. Many regions have begun to ease up on the travel restrictions while some communities feel they are unfairly still under heavy limitations.

Click Here to see the full article
Why First Nations Communities are Uninviting Visitors
One of 198 distinct First Nations in BC, each with its own unique traditions and history, the Heiltsuk Nation has spent years revitalizing and preserving its culture.

But, as it does in many Indigenous communities, the future takes its cues from the past. And Covid-19, which is particularly dangerous to older people, therefore puts the community’s future at risk.

Click Here to see the full article
Some Quebec First Nations Remain Closed After the Province Reopens
While some retailers were allowed to reopen across the greater Montreal area starting Monday, two Mohawk communities in the region are not easing restrictions just yet.

Businesses in Kanesatake, northwest of the city, will remain closed and checkpoints will keep restricting non-local access to the area for the foreseeable future.

Click Here to see the full article
First Nations Commercial Fisherman Consider Starting Season as They Await Federal Relief
A group of First Nations commercial fishermen in Manitoba are wondering if they should start fishing even with little chance they can sell their catch, worried that money won't flow soon enough from a federal relief package.


Click Here to see the full article
Chippewas of Nawash Offer Food Support to Off-Reserve Members
To assist members off-reserve, the Nawash Council is working with HelloFresh Canada , a meal subscription service. HelloFresh packages meal ingredients and recipes into one convenient box and delivers them directly to the home of off-reserve members.


Click Here to see the full article
Total Number of First Nations Confirmed Cases in Canada as of June 1
As of June 1, 2020, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) records indicate that there are over 215 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on First Nations reserves, in five provinces. 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  Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update page.
Accessing Additional Support Funds
Relief Measures For Indigenous Businesses
The Government of Canada will provide up to $306.8 million in short-term, interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis businesses.

Click Here to find more information
Support For Students And New Grads Affected By COVID-19
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced a comprehensive support of nearly $9 billion for post-secondary students and recent graduates.

Click Here to find more information
COVID-19: First Nations Community Guide On Accessing Additional Supports
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.
 
Details On The Indigenous Community Support Fund
On March 18, the Government of Canada announced a series of economic measures which included $305 million for a new Indigenous Community Support Fund.

Visit the Indigenous Community Support Fund page for more information.
 
Click here to see the PDF version in both English and French.
Previous Health And Wellness 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.


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Supports & Regularly Updated Resources
The following organizations have resources to combat COVID-19. These resources are regualrly updated and are available to view at any time.

Please click below to be directed to more information.
FNHMA Updates
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.
Funding Resources
The NIB Trust Fund is accepting applications from First Nation and Métis individuals to support education programs aimed at healing, reconciliation and knowledge building.

Health professionals wishing to begin their path to becoming a designated Certified First Nations Health Manager (CFNHM) are encouraged to visit NIBtrust.ca to learn about the funding opportunities that may be available.

The deadline to apply is June 5, 2020 at 5:00 pm (EDT).

DID YOU KNOW?

FNHMA has a number of resources available online relating to COVID-19 awareness and prevention.

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


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