FNHMA Health 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 the bulletin will include updated information surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic.
In this bulletin you will find news and information regarding:
- Alberta's top doctor condemns COVID-19 discrimination against Siksika residents, praising band leaders
- First Nations in B.C. stay firm on stance to seal off communities from tourists
- West Coast Trail closed to overnight camping after consultation with First Nations
- First Nations health-care teams work with NSHA for local COVID-19 assessment
- Alberta to launch third-party review into COVID-19 response as First Nations report new cases
- COVID-19 cases reported in two First Nations
- Total Number of First Nations Confirmed Cases In Canada As Of July 16
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 fifth and sixth Town Hall.
These town halls originally aired on April 23, 2020 and April 30, 2020.
At these sessions Marion Crowe talked with
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde, AFN Regional Chiefs Marlene Poitras, Kluane Adamek, and Kevin Hart, & Dr. Valerie Gideon and Robin Buckland of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), 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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Alberta's Top Doctor Condemns COVID-19 Discrimination Against Siksika Residents, Praising Band Leaders
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Alberta's chief medical officer of health says she was disappointed to hear some Siksika First Nation members are being turned away from local businesses, reminding Albertans that COVID-19 does not discriminate.
During her daily news briefing on Tuesday, Dr. Deena Hinshaw said now is the time for compassion, not division.
"I have received reports that some Siksika First Nation members were recently denied access to local businesses as a result of recent cases being reported in their community," Hinshaw said.
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First Nations In B.C. Stay Firm On Stance To Seal Off Communities From Tourists
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Indigenous First Nations along the British Columbia coast say their borders will remain closed to tourists and non-residents despite the economic impact, as they work to raise awareness about the threat COVID-19 poses to their communities.
The Nuu-chah-nulth, Heiltsuk Nation and Haida Nation have all closed or restricted access to their territories and reserves.
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West Coast Trail Closed To Overnight Camping After Consultation With First Nations
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Parks Canada has closed overnight backcountry access to several areas in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve — including the West Coast Trail — for the rest of the 2020 season, after consultation with its First Nation partners.
"The health and safety of First Nation communities, visitors, Parks Canada team members, and of all Canadians is of utmost importance to Parks Canada," said park superintendent Karen Haugen on CBC's All Points West.
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First Nations Health-Care Teams Work With NSHA For Local COVID-19 Assessment
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The Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) announced Friday it has opened a collaboration with two health directors after First Nations chiefs called for engaging their own health-care professionals in
COVID-19
response.
Deploying staff who are community members to do the testing could alleviate any fears or concerns of other community members, according to an NSHA press release.
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Alberta To Launch Third-Party Review Into COVID-19 Response As First Nations Report New Cases
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Alberta is launching a third-party review into its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a move officials say will strengthen the province’s ability to address a potential second wave of the novel coronavirus.
The review is expected to begin around Aug. 19 and be complete in the fall. The consultant who will conduct the review has yet to be chosen, with a request for proposals open until Aug. 10.
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COVID-19 Cases Reported In Two First Nations
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Officials are dealing with more novel coronavirus cases in two First Nations — one in Ontario and one in Alberta.
The new case in Six Nations of the Grand River brings the total number of confirmed cases there to 15, Ohsweken Public Health Officials said in a release Tuesday.
And the Samson Cree Nation in central Alberta is warning that a non-resident member who visited Maskwacis and Ma-Me-O Beach has tested positive for COVID-19. They did not provide a timeline.
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Total Number of First Nations Confirmed Cases In Canada As Of July 16
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As of July 16, 2020, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) records indicate that there are 351 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on First Nations reserves, in five provinces. There are also 30 hospitalizations, 312 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 Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update page.
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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 Nations partners, the Public Health Agency of Canada, other departments such as Health Canada and Public Safety Canada as well as provincial and territorial counterparts to protect the health and safety of First Nations and support First Nations communities in responding to the public health crisis resulting from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Click Here
to read the full First Nations community guide on accessing additional supports
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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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FEATURED JOB POSTING
FNHMA partner organization the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI) is currently seeking a DIRECTOR, NORTHERN & INDIGENOUS HEALTH
Follow the link below to find the full job listing!
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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
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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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