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:
- Ottawa to provide additional $305M to Indigenous communities for COVID-19 support
- Why are Indigenous communities seeing so few cases of COVID-19?
- COVID-19 poses ‘critical threat to Indigenous Peoples,’ says UN rights chief
- Potential COVID-19 exposure at two popular events puts Indigenous communities on alert
- Some Alberta First Nations adopt separate back-to-school plans from province
- Total Number Of First Nations Confirmed Cases In Canada As Of August 13
- Sask. First Nations company creating 'sugar cube' barriers to fight COVID-19 spread in classrooms
See below for more information on these topics.
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FNHMA Weekly Virtual Town Hall |
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Check the FNHMA Facebook Page every Tuesday and Thursday at 1pm to watch the re-runs of our Virtual Town Halls!
Next week join us for our ninth and tenth Town Hall.
These town halls originally aired on June 4, 2020 and June 18, 2020.
At these sessions Marion Crowe talked with Dr. Evan Adams, Deputy CMO of Public Health, Doris Bear, Denise Bear, and Dean Cochrane of Peguis Health Services about how they are supporting their members during COVID-19. She also spoke with Dr. Valerie Gideon, of Indigenous Services Canada/FNIHB, David McLaren of Kabaowek First Nation & FNHMA President, Jocelyn Formsma, of the National Association of Friendship Centres
Dr. Brenda Restoule of First Peoples Wellness Circle and Carol Hopkins of Thunderbird Partnership Foundation.
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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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National and First Nation COVID-19 News |
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Ottawa to provide additional $305M to Indigenous communities for COVID-19 support |
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The federal government will provide an additional $305 million to support Indigenous people during the COVID-19 pandemic, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller announced Wednesday.Miller says the funding will support community initiatives that aim to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19 in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
"It is a testament to Indigenous leadership and, indeed, Indigenous peoples, that community exposure to the virus has been limited," he said at a news conference in Ottawa.
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Why are Indigenous communities seeing so few cases of COVID-19? |
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Like most people, Tania Cameron was watching the news intently as the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Canada. A member of Niisaachewan First Nation and regional coordinator for Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario, she worried that no one was talking to Indigenous communities about the pandemic heading their way.
“When I called a couple of [personal protective equipment] supply companies, they told me ‘We’re not allowed to announce it, but we’re sold out and if we do get any, priority goes to the hospital.’ So that to me was a warning,” Cameron says. She texted friends in the community, chiefs and council members to raise the alarm and offer help updating pandemic plans.
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COVID-19 poses ‘critical threat to Indigenous Peoples,’ says UN rights chief |
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The COVID-19 pandemic that has infected nearly 20 million people worldwide and has claimed over 730,000 lives, poses a critical threat to Indigenous Peoples, says the United Nations top human rights official.
In a statement released on Sunday, on the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said many Indigenous communities around the world have “deeply inadequate” access to health care, clean water and sanitation.
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Potential COVID-19 exposure at two popular events puts Indigenous communities on alert |
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Some Indigenous leaders are asking community members to get tested for COVID-19 if they participated in either the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupé pilgrimage, or the Innu Nikamu music festival.
A resident of Wemotaci, in the Mauricie region, tested positive for the virus after attending both events.
The Council of the Abitibiwinni First Nation in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, despite being hundreds of kilometres from Wemotaci, is advising residents to self-isolate and contact health authorities to be tested for COVID-19.
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Some Alberta First Nations adopt separate back-to-school plans from province |
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While most students across Alberta will return to school in-person this fall, some southern Alberta First Nations will adopt a separate scenario. That's because First Nation schools on reserves are a federal responsibility, Alberta Education says.
"Alberta's school re-entry plan provides guidance for provincial school authorities," said a spokesperson for the ministry in an email.
"Alberta Education has been in contact with First Nations schools across Alberta, and they can choose to use the information and guidelines in our school re-entry plan as they develop their own plans."
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Total Number Of First Nations Confirmed Cases In Canada As Of August 13 |
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As of August 13, 2020, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) records indicate that there are 425 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on First Nations reserves, in five provinces. There are also 34 hospitalizations, 399 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.
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Sask. First Nations company creating 'sugar cube' barriers to fight COVID-19 spread in classrooms |
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A metal fabrication company in Regina is fast-tracking the production of Plexiglas desk shields and sanitation stations to meet the demand from schools that want to find creative ways to keep students and staff safe at schools this fall.
Pro Metal Industries Ltd., owned by Pasqua First Nation, manufactures products for gas, mining, agriculture and more. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has shifted to creating personal protective equipment (PPE).
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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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The federal government will provide an additional $305 million to support Indigenous people during the COVID-19 pandemic, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller announced Wednesday.
Miller says the funding will support community initiatives that aim to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19 in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
"It is a testament to Indigenous leadership and, indeed, Indigenous peoples, that community exposure to the virus has been limited," he said at a news conference in Ottawa.
"We want to continue to support their strong pandemic management and ensure that Indigenous leaders have the tools they need at their disposal to implement various aspects of their pandemic plans."
Click Here to read the full First Nations community guide on accessing additional supports
Click Here to see the full breakdown of additional funds.
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Funding Available For Shelters On-Reserve |
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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.
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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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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 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.
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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.
InfoPoint is your trusted resource to find credible and reliable information on COVID-19.
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Notice of External Job Opportunities
FNHMA has a number of external job opportunities that can be viewed at the link below!
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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.
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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.
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FNHMA staff are 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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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.
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