North Spirit Lake lifted its Emergency Response Protocol on June 26 after receiving negative COVID-19 test results for a citizen who breached self-isolation procedures after returning from medical appointments in Winnipeg.
Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is calling for more communications with First Nation communities after six staff at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) tested positive for COVID-19 as of June 22.
“Obviously we’re concerned by these developments — not only are we concerned about the six or so positive cases that have been identified, we’re also concerned about the communication process from the hospital,” Fiddler says, “the fact that there have been delays to communicate the news of these troubling developments to our communities.”
Tikinagan Child and Family Services is celebrating Honouring Our Children Day on June 24, National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 and National Indigenous History Month throughout the month of June.
Keewaytinook Internet High School (KiHS) valedictorian Kobe Potan-Benson spoke about how he and the other students persevered through the COVID-19 global pandemic during his valedictorian address at the KiHS virtual 2020 graduation ceremony.
Northern Nishnawbe Education Council (NNEC) recently posted 2020 graduation videos for Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School and Pelican Falls First Nations High School on its website due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Unfortunately due to COVID-19 we are not able to have an in-person graduation at this time,” says Dobi-Dawn Frenette, director of education at NNEC, during a May 29 phone interview. “Our plan is to bring our graduates together once it is safe to do so.”
The Aboriginal Business Professional Association (ABPA) held a webinar on Our Fair Share: Helping Indigenous Business Access COVID-19 Relief Funds featuring guest speaker Brian Davey.
“It went fantastic — great questions, people were very interested,” says Davey, executive director of NADF and board member with ABPA. “In a very short period of time we got out a lot of information. I hope it’s enough information that sticks (so) people take away what they need to know to move forward.”
Red Rock Indian Band artist Janelle Wawia is keeping busy with creating her art and taking care of custom orders during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
“I’m trying to mix up my time with all the creative ideas I’ve been holding off creating and also working on custom orders,” Wawia says during an e-mail interview. “It’s allowing me more time to stay focused on my art, having the ability to access my art immediately for reprieve, expression and comfort as well as connection to other Indigenous artists.”
A Flood Watch was issued for the Albany River on May 2 with Kashechewan and Fort Albany residents warned to keep a close watch on river conditions as ice break up may be occurring upriver. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Cochrane District and the Mushkegowuk Council Emergency Management Services advised area residents in a May 7 update that the Flood Watch remains in effect until May 14. The update indicated that the level of flood risk remained at moderate to high for the two James Bay communities.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu raised the outbreak of eight cases of COVID-19 in Gull Bay during an update on the health situation in northern Ontario. Six of the cases were resolved by May 9, with two active cases self-isolating in the community.
Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler stressed the importance of keeping focused on flattening the curve of the COVID-19 global pandemic during his May 5 update on the Wawatay Radio Network.
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