As Band offices close their doors in response to the COVID-19 threat, the FNPSS is providing a platform for Band administrators to access and review timely information.
First Nation communities are dealing with so much in managing their response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Here is some info on how various departments and organizations are working together to provide coordinated support and where you can get accurate and up-to-date information.
Summary of Federal and Provincial COVID-19 Supports
Updates compiled by: Policy and Development Branch, Employment and Labour Market Services Division, BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Webinars – How are BC First Nations responding to the coronavirus?
Join FNPSS webinars to hear how First Nations are handling the COVID-19 pandemic in their communities, with Q&A. If you miss the live webinars, you can view the recordings and join the First Nations Administrators Network Facebook group to ask questions, post suggestions and requests for speakers and topics, or share best practices from your community.
Past Webinars
- UPCOMING: Webinar #5 – March 27, 2020
- Communities: Okanagan Indian Band & Homalco First Nation
- Speakers: Byron Louis (Chief) & Alison Trenholm (Councillor)
- Please click the following link to join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/510071478
- Webinar #4 – March 27, 2020
- Organizations/Communities: ISC BC Region & Tsleil-Waututh Nation
- Speakers: Bill Guerin (Associate Regional Director General, ISC BC Region) & Leah George-Wilson (Co-Chair of the First Nations Summit and Chief of Tsleil-Waututh Nation)
- Webinar #3 – March 26, 2020
- Communities: Westbank First Nation & Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council
- Speakers: Chris Derickson (Chief) & Erik Blaney (Emergency Planning Advisor)
- Webinar #2 – March 25, 2020
- Communities: Ahousaht First Nation & Upper Nicola Band
- Speakers: Rob Bullock (Band Administrator) & Collette Sunday (Band Administrator)
- Webinar #1 – March 20, 2020
- Communities: Nak’azdli Whut’en & Tsleil-Waututh Nation
- Speakers: Sandra Olson (Chief Executive Officer) & Deanna George (Councillor)
Information from First Nations Health Authority
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) plays a role within the provincial emergency management structure by providing health and wellness services to support BC First Nation communities. For COVID-19 response, FNHA (in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Office of the Provincial Health Officer and Regional Health Authorities) supports communities through direct coordination of response to medical and health-related requests.
The emergency management program within FNHA provides expertise, education, tools and support for FNHA regions and program areas to address medical and health related impacts of this event; ensuring the continuity of FNHA health services.
Resources
- Resources for public, for health care professionals and for community leaders
- BC First Nations Community Guide for Additional Supports Needed
Contacts
- For general inquiries – COVID19@fnha.ca
- For FNHA and community health care providers (CHNs, HD, etc.) or CDE planning questions – CDMgmt@fnha.ca
- Personal Protective Equipment – COVID19needs@fnha.ca
- For individual health care and COVID-19 questions – 811 or primary care provider
Information from Indigenous Services Canada
A department of the Government of Canada, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) works collaboratively with partners to improve access to high-quality services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and seeks to empower Indigenous peoples to independently deliver services and address socio-economic conditions in their communities. ISC BC Region is supporting First Nations on-reserve in Coronavirus response through a number of programs and services, including the Emergency Management Assistance Program and Income Assistance. The department will also play a role in delivering distinction-based funding as announced by the Prime Minister.
Resources
- BC Region Updates
- Update #13 – April 1
- Update #12 – March 31
- Update #11 – March 30
- March 23-27 Updates: #6, #7, #8, #9, #10
- Departmental Resources
- COVID-19: First Nations Community Guide on Accessing Additional Supports
- COVID-19: Indigenous Services Canada Updates (on YouTube)
- Video: Physical distancing works
- News release: Addressing urgent needs in Indigenous communities related to COVID-19 – March 26
- Update to First Nations Leadership – March 20
- Government of Canada Resources
For more information about ISC’s service and response, follow Catherine Lappe on Twitter: @Catherine_RDGBC.
Contacts
- Non-health related questions and requests: aadnc.iscbccovid19.aandc@canada.ca / 604-209-9709
- Income Assistance: aadnc.tsdbsoutien-bsdwsupport-bc.aandc@canada.ca / 1-888-440-4080
- Emergency Management Assistance Program: bcaandc.do@canada.ca
- Lands and Economic Development: See PDF
Information from the Province of BC / Emergency Management BC
Emergency Management BC (EMBC) is the Province’s lead coordinating agency for emergency response to non-health related needs of COVID-19 impacts. This work is done in collaboration with local governments, First Nations, provincial and federal departments, industry, non-government organizations and volunteers. They also host regular regional coordination calls, which First Nations are invited to join. EMBC Regional Operations offices will function as universal entry for Indigenous communities seeking supports.
Resources
- COVID-19 Financial Supports for Small Businesses in BC
- COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information
- Provincial Health Officer’s orders and notices
Contacts
- EMBC office contacts
- Non-health related information and services: 1 888 COVID-19
- Medical-related questions: 8-1-1
Information from First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC)
To address the unique needs and considerations of the First Nations in British Columbia as they respond to COVID-19, the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) has compiled a comprehensive selection of resources on COVID-19 for First Nations use: COVID-19 emergency resource site.
Additional Resources
- COVID-19 Preparedness and Planning Materials
- BC Centre for Disease Control: Information on COVID-19, latest updates on testing strategy, self-isolation, personal and community protection, and online self-assessment tool
