Northern First Nations continue to deal with a COVID outbreak, prompting a response from the Federal government.
The government is working closely with the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, community leadership and health officials to help the impacted communities and keep people safe.
Here is a Thursday night update from Indigenous Services Canada spokesperson Kyle Fournier:
Supports for Eabametoong First Nation
· As of February 15, ISC health human resources (HHR) in community include five registered nurses, one public health nurse and one advanced care paramedic in the community. The Matawa Tribal Council (Matawa) has deployed surge-capacity nurses into community to help with testing.
· The community’s Pandemic Team and SLFNHA are leading testing and case and contact management efforts.
· ISC has confirmed that the community has adequate supplies of rapid antigen tests and PPE.
· Matawa is assisting with the provision of essential supplies such as food, baby supplies, over-the-counter medications, and cleaning supplies. They are also providing transportation for supplies, personnel, and testing equipment.
· To ensure the mental health needs of the community are being met, the following supports are in place as of February 11, 2022:
o There will be one youth mental health worker in the community on February 18, 2022. Virtual support is available as needed.
o Matawa has deployed two Traditional Healers to provide on-site support until February 17, 2022.
o NAN Hope is available for 24/7 phone and virtual support.
· On January 27, 2022, ISC provided the community with $389K in formula-based funding for immediate public health supports identified by the community to respond to the current outbreak.
· Since March 2020, ISC has provided the Eabametoong First Nation with over $9.8 million to support the community’s COVID-19 preparation, planning and response initiatives. This includes $1,850,906 to support the procurement, transportation, and installation, of 4 three-bedroom isolation units.
· For the latest information on Canadian Armed Forces support in Eabametoong First Nation, please refer to the most recent Indigenous Services Canada COVID-19 Update.
Supports for Pikangikum First Nation:
As of February 14, ISC Health Human Resources (HHR) in community includes eight nurses.
· ISC is supporting the administration of vaccines and has confirmed that the community has adequate supplies of antigen tests and PPE in the nursing station.
· SLFNHA is leading case and contact management in the community.
· The Independent First Nation Alliance (IFNA), with funding from ISC, supported case and contact management and testing through the deployment of nurses and support staff into the community. IFNA is providing an Incident Command Structure to coordinate on-the-ground response efforts.
· The IFNA Mental Wellness Team has been providing phone support to ensure that the community’s mental health needs are met. NAN Hope is also available for 24/7 phone and virtual support.
· Since March 2020, ISC has provided the Pikangikum First Nation with over $16.5 million to support the community’s COVID-19 preparation, planning and response initiatives.
· ISC is working closely with the community and health partners to identify additional resources that are needed to support the community’s response efforts to their current outbreak.
Supports for Mishkeegogaming First Nation:
· As of February 13, 2022, ISC HHR in community include five registered nurses, one public health nurse, and one advanced care paramedic.
· SLFNHA is supporting case and contact management, and have provided the community with public health guidance and educational materials on mental wellness. Two Choose Life community-based mental health workers are providing support, as well as two mental health workers contracted by the community. Additional mental health supports are available by phone through NODIN. Harm reduction kits and Naloxone kits are also available through SLFNHA. NAN Hope is also available for 24/7 phone and virtual mental health support.
· The Pandemic Team is coordinating and delivering food hampers, over-the-counter medications, Rapid Antigen Tests, and public health information packages to all households in the community. Cultural and tradition healing methods and medicines are being offered by the Pandemic Team Elder to complement the other medical supports available.
· On February 9, 2022, ISC approved community funding request for $696K to address their current COVID-19 outbreak. This funding will provide perimeter security, food security and traditional harvesting, cleaning supplies, senior and cultural supports, mental health supports, community workers, transportation and administration. A meeting was held between IS and the Independent First Nations Alliance on February 14, 2022 to discuss the approved funding and how it can be used to fill identified gaps.
· Since March 2020, ISC has provided Mishkeegogaming First Nation with $6,686,549.18 in funding to support their COVID-19 planning, preparation and response initiatives.
· For the latest information on Canadian Armed Forces support in Mishkeegogamang First Nation, please refer to the most recent Indigenous Services Canada COVID-19 Update.
