Topic: Today’s News

Mandatory and complete shutdown of all businesses in Kanesatake

The Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) along with the Kanesatake Health Center (KHC), the Emergency Preparedness Team, all other branches of our Community’s services as well as a great majority of Kanesata’kehró:non, are requiring that all stores close-down for an undetermined amount of time. Below is an explanation of the context of this decision. 

Ramping-up our response On Friday, our Emergency Preparedness Team, in collaboration with MCK and KHC went to each individual business in order to discuss, counsel and encourage the implementation of World Health Organisation approved hygiene protocols in order to limit the risk of contamination to their staff, their customers and to our community. We were happy to see that most business owners were receptive with this initiative. The fact is that this situation is evolving very rapidly, and our community’s response must be fluid and unequivocally ramp-up as the situation progresses. 

Kahnawake mandatorily shutdown all businesses In the new context of yesterday’s announcement by our sister community of Kahnawake to shut-down their local businesses, we are very much concerned that we will see a significantly larger influx of people at our community’s doorstep. This will in turn drastically increase the risk of exposure to our members and that of surrounding populations. We’re also seeing other First Nations communities in Canada and in Quebec setting-up control check-points, or closing-down all together in order to protect their members. 

The virus is all around us Over 50% of our members have underlying pre-existing health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, respiratory problems, high blood pressure, etc, which puts them at a higher risk of having serious complications from the virus and possibly result in death. Everyone needs to grasp the precariousness of the situation. The reality is that people in regions all around us have tested positive for Coronavirus, so displaying a huge ‘open for business sign’ at the entrance of our community would make no sense whatsoever. 

• Lanaudière (9 confirmed cases as of March 21st) 

• Laval (3 confirmed cases as of March 21st) 

• Montérégie – including Vaudreuil-Dorion, Hudson, Kahnawake, Montreal south shore 

(26 confirmed cases as of March 21st) 

• Montreal (41 confirmed cases as of March 21st) ***These numbers show only confirmed cases, real cases are certainly much higher *** 

• Death Count in Quebec went from 1 to 5 in a single day on March 21st 

In conclusion The fact is that we can’t prevent the virus from coming in the midst of our community. But if we all work together and come together as one, exactly as our ancestors did, we can limit its spread and limit to a minimum the lasting impacts that these challenging times could have on all our lives. We can beat this thing, but only if we come together. 

Extraordinary circumstances must be met with exceptional measures … let’s all act accordingly. 

Nia:wen ko:wa, 

Kanesatake Health Center Joint Statement

In collaboration with all branches of its Government, its staff, chiefs and collaborators, the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake is adopting the following measures in order to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. The measures take effect immediately and reflect the recommendations made by Federal and Provincial Health Authorities.

Council operations

The MCK offices are closed to the public, but remain open and/or some of its staff work from home when possible in order to prevent service interruptions and to continue to process essential payments.

Note that the Grand Chief and Chiefs are still in the office daily.

RL-31 forms will still be available to fill out over the phone. The income tax volunteer program is suspended until April 1, 2020. For any information, please contact Amber Hannaburg (450) 479-7069 or Josée Craig (450) 479-7016

Emergency preparedness

The emergency preparedness response team has been activated and is working in collaboration with KHC and MCK with daily briefings. The response team is in place to ensure that the community is up to date and receiving all pertinent information for prevention and is prepared to activate further resources/personnel in response to any situation that may arise.

For any questions or concerns call Vice Chief Patricia Meilleur (514) 923-7805.

Strong preventive recommendations to our businesses and their owners

The health and safety of all our members goes beyond the control of MCK. Local businesses that choose to remain open on Kanesatake territory must do so by implementing all of Health Canada’s recommendations in regards to social distancing, disinfecting, etc. in order to ensure that all staff and customers are safe. Nonetheless, WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TO CLOSE BUSINESS’ DOWN WHICH WILL IN TURN HIGHLY REDUCE THE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

The emergency response team will be visiting each business owner as well as assessing and recommending safe practices that need to be put in place.

The following departments and buildings have been closed to the public:

  • Crime Prevention Shakotihente:se
  • Day scholar class action applications: Please call Chief Valerie Bonspille (450) 479-8373 ext. 108
  • Economic Development: For emergencies or other urgent matters, please call:
  • Patrick Gelinas (450) 479-8373 ext. 151
  • Education Center: For any emergency, please call Diane Nelson at (450) 479-8373 ext. 229
  • Finance & Program Administration: For any emergency, please call Leona Bonspille at (450) 479-8373 ext. 120
  • Health Center doors are closed but we remain available to respond to you should you leave a message by phone or send us email (walk-in clinic closed until further notice). We are providing essential services only
  • Home Care Services’ normal operations (home cleanings) are currently suspended, In-Home Support Workers are in touch with the elders on a daily basis to make sure that they are well, in good spirits and that all their basic needs are met. Measures are also being taken to support high risk and high priority clients.
  • Home & Community Care Nurses are in touch with their clients either by phone and/or will continue to provide dressing changes for their clients as needed.
  • Housing and Infrastructure: For emergencies or other urgent matters, please call Shirley Bonspille (450) 479-8373 ext. 131
  • Lands and Estates: For emergencies or other urgent matters, please call Amanda Simon (514) 220-2331
  • Membership: (closed until further notice)
  • Ratihen:te High School: For emergencies or other urgent matters, please call Scott Traylen (450) 479-8373 ext. 402
  • Rotiwennakehte/Aronhiatekha Elementary School & Daycare: (closed until further notice) please contact Scott Traylen (450) 479-8373 ext. 402
  • Ratihontsanonhstats Environment: for emergencies or other urgent matters, please call Eugene Nicholas (514) 240-0726
  • Riverside Elders Home (closed to the public and visitors until further notice)
  • Social Assistance (closed to the public, monthly statement of beneficiary declaration and evaluations are suspended until further notice). For emergencies or other urgent matters, please call: Mary Simon (450) 479-8373 ext. 127
  • Tsi Ronterihwanonhnha ne Kanien’keha Language and Cultural Center (closed until further notice)
  • Tsi Rontswa’Ta: Khwa Early Childhood Center: (closed March 16-27, 2020 will be re-evaluated)
  • Tsi Shakotiio’tenhseraienwá:se Employment and Training Service Center (KHRO): For emergencies or other urgent matters, please call Michelle Lamouche (450) 479-8373 ext. 302

Public works

Will continue to operate unless otherwise instructed by their supervisor.

MCK employees

Employees that are required to stay home as a result of these measures will not be penalized and will be paid as usual. However, we are asking our employees to remain available to the employer in the event of an emergency, even for tasks that are not part of their normal duties, exceptional circumstances call for exceptional measures.

School breakfast & lunch program

If any school closures have anyone concerned about any child not being able to eat breakfast or lunch, please let us know. Feel free to send us a private message through the MCK Facebook page, email (communications@kanesatake.ca), or Chief Valerie Bonspille ext. 108 and we will do everything we can to help.

About the virus and its potential consequences

COVID-19 is very contagious and capable of asymptomatic spread (spreading from unaware contaminated people who show no signs of symptoms). The coronavirus represents severe risks including hospitalization to close to 1 in 5 people and can even be deadly, especially to elders and people with pre-existing conditions. No one can afford to take this situation lightly as they will put their family’s and their community’s health at risk.

Preventing the spread of the virus

  • Wash your hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds
  • Practice social distancing (stay 6 feet away from people)
  • Limit your social interactions in person and stay home as much as possible
  • Cough etiquette (Coughing/sneezing into a tissue or into your sleeve)

What to do if you or someone close to you gets sick

First and foremost, STAY HOME! Anyone who is feeling sick must monitor their health situation very closely and stay home in order to prevent further contamination. Make sure that you know how to spot differences in symptoms experienced from a regular cold, the flu and COVID-19.

If you suspect that you might have contracted the disease, it is very important that you call this number: Public Health 1-877-644-4545. A nurse will help you evaluate your case and if necessary, schedule an appointment for you at one of the COVID-19 screening clinics.

Please also make sure to advise Public Health and Council, and please share with us a list of people you’ve interacted with, events and meetings you’ve attended and places you’ve been. We will keep your identity anonymous, but at least, this way we can be proactive in tracking the virus in the community and monitor if necessary potential cases.

Traveling members

We strongly recommend that any member that have travel and vacation plans consider postponing or cancelling their trips in order to limit their exposure, and consequently, the community’s exposure to COVID-19.

** Members returning from abroad MUST isolate themselves for a 14-day period and call 1-877-644-4545**

Call for solidarity

The MCK is doing all that it can to prepare the community for the outbreak. It is in difficult times such as these that we, as a community, must work together, help-out one another and take care of each and every one of us. In this line of thought, we will be creating a Facebook group that will let members post messages to share things that they need, and people can then message them if they can help them meet these needs (ex: help to deliver groceries and medication, food, etc.)

For further information, please follow the MCK Facebook page and mail-outs. If you would like to be added to the email list, please send an email to communications@kanesatake.ca.

Keep safe, we will get through this together.

Nia:wen ko:wa,

Grand Chief Serge Otsi Simon               Joyce Bonspiel-Nelson

Mohawk Council of Kanesatake             Director of Kanesatake Health Center

ASPIRING ARTIST AWARDS

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
from BC and Yukon Indigenous Youth

Application Deadline
Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 4pm.

YVR Art Foundation offers Aspiring Artist Awards to British Columbia and Yukon Indigenous youth between the ages of 15 and 20 who reside in BC or the Yukon. Aspiring Artist Awards are $500 each and are awarded on an annual basis to youth to support their self-directed work in the visual arts.
Who May Apply

To be eligible for a YVR Art Foundation Aspiring Artist Award, applicants must:

  • Be of BC or Yukon First Nations ancestry
  • Reside in BC or the Yukon
  • Be between the ages of 15 and 20 in 2020 (born between 2000 and 2005)
  • Create visual art that reflects BC or Yukon First Nations art and culture
  • Provide up to five images of your artwork with your application

To apply for an Aspiring Artist Award or to learn more about YVR Art Foundation visit:www.yvraf.com/programs.

Please forward this email to those who are eligible and interested in applying. Questions may be directed by email to programs@yvraf.com or by phone to 604.276.6261.

Non-essential travel to and between Labrador Inuit communities discouraged; self-monitoring and isolation recommended if necessary

The Nunatsiavut Government is asking people to refrain from travelling between or to any Labrador Inuit community, either by aircraft, snowmobile, etc., until further notice unless it is absolutely necessary. 

Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement who are currently away and have not been directed to self isolate (students, medical travel, etc.) are encouraged to make all attempts to return to their home communities as soon as possible. Those who have been directed to self-isolate should not be travelling. 

Pandemics have had catastrophic impacts in Nunatsiavut in the past, and all efforts must be taken to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus to all Labrador Inuit communities. 

The Nunatsiavut Department of Health and Social Development has been working very closely with federal and provincial health authorities in an effort to inform Beneficiaries of developments as they arise. 

The Nunatsiavut Government has taken numerous steps to try and prevent the spread of COVID- 19 to the region, including: 

• restricting non-essential travel for all employees; 

• cancelling all Nunatsiavut Government-sponsored events, meetings, workshops, etc. involving participants from multiple Labrador Inuit communities; and 

• closing all of its offices, including the Illusuak Cultural Centre in Nain, to the general public, and advising staff to work at home if possible and to follow generally-accepted protocols to prevent exposure to and the spread of COVID-19. (Exceptions will apply to those requiring access to necessary programs and services.) 

Going forward, any person arriving from outside of Nunatsiavut communities, by air or snowmobile, should self monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after arriving in any Labrador Inuit community. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever and/or other symptoms of respiratory infection such as a new or worsening cough or difficulty breathing

Self monitoring includes: 

• self-isolating as quickly as possible if symptoms of COVID-19 develop and contact the provincial Healthline at 811 for instructions; and 

• avoiding crowded public spaces and social gatherings and places where rapid self-isolation upon onset of symptoms may not be feasible. 

The Nunatsiavut Government is also advising people to follow the provincial direction for those who meet the criteria below to self-isolate. 

• having travelled outside of Canada; 

• having attended mass gatherings with international attendees within the country during the past 14 days; and 

• having been in close contact with a known case of COVID-19 (within the last 14 days). 

Steps for self-isolation: 

1. Stay home 

• Do not go to work, school or other public places. 

• Your health-care provider or public health unit will tell you when it is safe to leave. 

2. Limit the number of visitors in your home 

• Only have visitors who you must see and keep the visits short. 

• Keep away from seniors and people with chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, lung problems, and immune deficiencies). 

3. Avoid contact with others 

• Stay in a separate room away from other people in your home as much as possible and use a separate bathroom (if possible). 

• Make sure that shared rooms have good airflow (e.g. open windows). 

4. Keep distance 

• If you are in a room with other people, keep a distance of at least two metres and wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. 

Call the provincial Healthline at 811 if symptoms of COVID-19 develop 

For further information and updates on COVID-19 please visit: 

https://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/coronavirus/
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

Save-On-Foods shares new measures to better serve customers and support team members in response to novel Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic

Company limits store hours and implements special shopping hour for seniors

(March 18, 2020 – Langley, B.C.) In 178 stores in four provinces and one territory, Save-On-Foods is taking extraordinary measures to do its part to contain the spread of COVID-19 and meet the unprecedented consumer demand on its stores and online shopping business.

Taking care of team members and customers continues to be the top priority at Save-On-Foods, so effective March 19, all stores will limit their hours of operation, opening their doors from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In addition, all stores will open from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. for seniors, people with disabilities and those most vulnerable to shop in a less hectic environment and allow for social distancing, as recommended by health officials.

Save-On-Foods is also encouraging those customers who can shop in store to do so and leave the online shopping services available to those who are not able to get to the store, including seniors, people with disabilities and those who are ill or self-isolating.

Limiting operating hours will give the teams at Save-On-Foods additional time to clean and sanitize, restock the shelves and better serve their customers, and also gives the front-line grocery store workers a much-needed chance to recharge during these unprecedented times.

“It is not business as usual and my amazing team of 21,000 team members has a big job to do as they work around the clock to replenish the items our customers need,” said Save-On-Foods president Darrell Jones. “As always, Save-On-Foods will continue to work hard to safeguard the health of our team members, our customers and our communities. We have never seen times as turbulent and as uncertain as these and we are so proud of the great work our teams are doing.”

Save-On-Foods is committed to doing what it takes to ensure it can keep up with the changing expectations of the millions of Canadians counting on them for food, medicine and household supplies. See below for additional measures.

Video message available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImotnGZ8bZY&feature=youtu.be

Additional measures undertaken by Save-On-Foods in response to COVID-19 pandemic

Stores

  • The company is amplifying its already high standards on food safety, sanitation and cleanliness
  • Stores are increasing measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including hand-washing and disinfecting high-touch surfaces
  • Encouraging social distancing in all stores
  • Senior shopping hour and limited store hours

Inventory

  • Not experiencing a widespread shortage of food but working around the clock to address supply chain challenges the company is facing in getting goods to stores
  • Enforcing limits on high-demand items
  • The company will not be raising prices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Team members

  • In accordance with public health directives, the company has directed team members who are ill or who have potentially been exposed to self-isolate
  • Working with team members on a case-by-case basis to minimize any interruption in pay
  • The company is committed to minimizing interruption in pay for team members who are required to self-isolate for 14 days

Online shopping

  • The company has increased their fleet of delivery vans to keep up with the demand on its online shopping business
  • Customers who can shop in store are encouraged to do so in order to leave the delivery option available for those who aren’t able to get to the store, including seniors, people with disabilities, and those with the novel Coronavirus

Nunatsiavut Government offices to close to general public

The Nunatsiavut Government will close all of its offices to the general public, effective March 18, 2020. Exceptions will be made to ensure continued essential program and service delivery. 

Members of the Nunatsiavut Civil Service will have the option to work from home with the approval of immediate supervisors. Those that report to their place of work will be required to ensure they follow generally-accepted protocols to prevent exposure to and the spread of COVID-19. These protocols include regular washing of hands with soap and water or hand sanitizers and maintaining a safe distance of 2 metres or more from others (social distancing). 

All staff have also been advised that if they develop any symptoms (cough, fever or difficulty breathing) to stay at home and to contact the provincial Healthline at 811 for further instructions. 

Cleaners will be permitted to enter offices after hours to ensure work stations are cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis. 

These precautionary measures will be in effect for a two-week period and re-evaluated on an ongoing basis. 

It is important to note that there will be no break in essential Nunatsiavut Government programs and services. 

Urban Ink’s production of SEDNA postponed in response to COVID-19 situation

As the situation around the Coronavirus (COVID-19) evolves rapidly, the response from Urban Ink must also change to address growing concerns. As stated by public health officials local risk remains low, but the health and well-being of our communities, audiences, artists, and staff is of the highest priority.

In order to contribute to public health efforts, we have made the difficult decision to suspend our public programming for the next several weeks. Effective March 16, our production of SEDNA, created by Corey Payette, Reneltta Arluk & Marshall McMahen, will be postponed and our office will be closed to the public until further notice.  Sedna was scheduled to run from April 22 – May 9,  in Malkin Bowl in  Stanley Park.

During this time our administrative operations will continue, with staff working from home where possible. Over the next week we will be in touch with patrons who have booked tickets for SEDNA to ensure that they are aware of the postponing. 

These are unprecedented times. We are a non-profit organization, and like many other companies and individuals, this situation is having an enormous financial impact on us and on our future plans. We are humbly requesting that patrons with capacity consider a donation in lieu of a refund for their tickets. All ticket buyers will be contacted in the near future.

We recognize that this is a difficult time for everyone, and in particular for contract workers – artists, freelancers – who make up a large part of our community. While limiting gatherings and physical interactions is encouraged at the moment, there are still ways to check in with and support friends and loved ones.

STATEMENT ON THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND ITS AFFECT WITHIN THE INDIGENOUS SCREEN SECTOR

Toronto, ON — Canada’s creative screen industry has ground to a halt in the wake of coronavirus pandemic and the ISO recognizes that Indigenous screen-based creators and workers are being hit hard by postponed productions, lost contracts, canceled festivals, closed cinemas and lost revenue opportunities.  We are aware that these and other cancellations are affecting many people in our community who rely on productions, events and gigs for their main income.

While it is too early to determine how long this shut down will continue or the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, we are asking arts-based employers, non-profit organizations and film and TV producers to make timely decisions around the health and welfare of their employees.

We advise everyone to keep an inventory of all lost income and additional unforeseen expenses during this time.  The ISO is going to start tracking lost revenue projections for the Indigenous screen-based industry and we will send out communications regarding this soon. This information is crucial to advocating for a swift response from all levels of government. 

As independent arts industry workers, we are all particularly vulnerable to the economic impacts of this crisis. The $1-Billion federal stimulus package announced on March 13 did not include any apparent provisions for arts and culture workers in the “gig” economy.   

ISO will be joining our voice to those of our partners that are asking that provisions be made for independent arts and culture workers and other groups who are particularly vulnerable and at risk.  We will be consulting with other industry players and stakeholders as strategies are mapped out and will ensure that the concerns of our Indigenous community are clearly positioned.

ISO will be taking steps to advocate for support and compensation for screen-based independent workers for cancelled or postponed productions and will ensure the necessary resources and supports are there for our community.

We will share through our social media any information on support systems or strategies that becomes available that can help unite our community through this difficult time. There currently are industry social media hubs where industry workers are gathering to share information, employment opportunities and discuss strategies to help those most affected.

We encourage everyone to participate in these threads, share what you know and make suggestions.

We also encourage everyone to take the proactive, preventative measures currently being recommended by public health officials to minimize risks to our communities and our colleagues, particularly those most vulnerable which includes Elders and those with weakened immunity and chronic illness.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Jesse Wente

Executive Director 

Indigenous Screen Office

LINK TO STATEMENT:  https://iso-bea.ca/statement-on-the-coronavirus-pandemic-and-its-affect-within-the-indigenous-screen-sector/

The AFNQL Calls for a Special First Ministers’ Meeting on First Nations Issues

The “political crisis” is an unfortunate reminder that our rights, titles and treaties are being held hostage to a colonial ideology that systematically circumvents them. As long as the federal, provincial and territorial governments continue to ignore the urgency of sustainable solutions and the conditions to achieve them, we run the risk of having to manage other crises, which will inevitably involve resources and the inability for First Nations to access them and create their own economies. 

“The First Ministers’ Meeting convened by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the gap that continues to exist between the federal and provincial governments and First Nations. The events of the last few weeks have amply demonstrated the urgency to act and respond to our issues,” said AFNQL Chief Ghislain Picard. 

“We believe that the meeting of the country’s leaders should engage them to hold a special First Ministers’ meeting that would focus specifically on First Nations issues. I would even go so far as to suggest to the Premier of Quebec, François Legault, to take up the challenge, to make his mark and propose the holding of such a meeting to his federal and provincial counterparts during their discussions on March 12 and 13,” adds Chief Picard. 

“We have another opportunity to learn from a situation that was not desired by anyone, including the Wet’suwet’en Nation, and allow good faith and political will to be put together. This will require “brave people” to do so. That is what we expect from the leaders of this country. We are ready,” concluded Chief Picard of the AFNQL. About the AFNQL The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is the regional political organization that brings together 43 First Nations Chiefs in Quebec and Labrador. Follow the AFNQL on Twitter @APNQL.

L’APNQL demande la tenue d’une rencontre spéciale des premiers ministres sur les enjeux des Premières Nations

La « crise politique » est un malheureux rappel que les droits, les titres et les traités dont nous sommes titulaires, sont tenus en otage par une idéologie coloniale qui les contourne systématiquement. Tant que les gouvernements fédéral, provinciaux et territoriaux continueront de fermer les yeux sur l’urgence de solutions durables et des conditions pour y parvenir, nous courons le risque de devoir gérer d’autres crises, qui porteront inévitablement sur les ressources et l’impossibilité pour les Premières Nations d’y avoir accès et de créer leur propre économie. 

« La rencontre des premiers ministres convoquée par le premier ministre Justin Trudeau ne peut pas se permettre de fermer les yeux sur le fossé qui persiste entre les gouvernements fédéral et provinciaux et ceux des Premières Nations. Les événements des dernières semaines auront amplement démontré l’urgence d’agir et de répondre à nos enjeux », a déclaré le chef de l’APNQL, Ghislain Picard. 

« Nous croyons que la rencontre des dirigeants du pays doit permettre l’engagement de ces derniers pour la tenue d’une réunion spéciale des premiers ministres qui porterait spécifiquement, sur les enjeux des Premières Nations. J’irais même jusqu’à suggérer au premier ministre du Québec, François Legault, de relever le défi, de faire sa marque et proposer la tenue d’une telle rencontre à ses homologues du fédéral et des provinces, lors de leurs discussions les 12 et 13 mars prochains », ajoute le chef Picard. 

« Nous avons une autre opportunité de retenir les leçons d’une situation qui n’était souhaitée par personne, incluant la nation Wet’suwet’en, et permettre une mise en commun de la bonne foi et de la volonté politique. Pour y parvenir, il faudra des « braves ». C’est ce que nous attendons des dirigeants de ce pays. Nous sommes prêts », a conclu le chef Picard de l’APNQL. À propos de l’APNQL L’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador est l’organisme régional politique qui regroupe 43 chefs des Premières Nations au Québec et au Labrador. Suivez l’APNQL sur Twitter @APNQL