Canada COVID-19 Update for Indigenous Peoples and Communities May 13

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is committed to supporting indigenous communities in responding to COVID-19 and works closely with indigenous organizations and state and territory governments.

Celebrate National Nursing Week from May 10th to 16th. Earlier this week, Indigenous Services Minister Mark Millar had the opportunity to thank the indigenous people and all the nurses working in the Inuit community. These nurses have shown a great deal of dedication to keeping the indigenous and Inuit communities healthy and safe, especially while managing this pandemic. This year, more than ever, Canadians across the country are celebrating all the nurses who responded to the call at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. They have made many sacrifices for the health and well-being of Canadians, and we are grateful for their work in helping them survive the pandemic.

There are signs of hope as the COVID-19 vaccine becomes more widespread across the country, but we still need to take public health measures to keep our loved ones, our communities, and ourselves safe. .. This includes minimizing direct interaction with people outside the home, avoiding crowded areas, wearing masks, and washing hands frequently.

In the indigenous community, as of May 11, ISC

• 28,118 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases
• 820 active cases
• 26,972 collection cases
• 326 people died.

There are no active cases in Nunavik and Quebec, and 61 active cases in the Northwest Territories. As of May 11, the Nunavut Territory Government has reported 75 COVID-19 activity cases in Iqaluit. Canada is committed to supporting the Nunavut Territory during these recent outbreaks. Yesterday, Minister Miller and Minister of Northern Affairs Daniel Vandal said the Government of Canada added more than $ 19 million to the Government of Nunavut and Tungavik, Nunavut through a newly expanded combination of federal relocations. Announced that it will provide support for. , Or in-kind spending.

As of May 11, more than 20 million COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed nationwide, with 416,106 vaccines in 690 indigenous, Inuit, and territorial communities. According to Statistics Canada’s 2020 population forecast, more than 65% of adults in indigenous communities and more than 68% of adults living in the territories of Nunavik and Nunatsiavut receive at least one COVID-19 vaccine.

Last week, Health Canada approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine in people aged 12 to 15 years, following a US study of more than 2,000 adolescents. Vaccine prioritization and eligibility approaches vary by state and region, but the Northwest Territories has already begun vaccination of this young demographic and has several plans. ISC and its indigenous partners have also recently established a national task group on vaccination led by indigenous, Inuit and Metis youth, in collaboration with states and territories. The group aims to develop strategies for engaging with indigenous youth as part of the vaccine deployment process.

Vaccine deployment is proceeding smoothly nationwide. Efforts to increase vaccine reliability are being stepped up to promote vaccine intake in areas that hesitate, have high cases, and may have low vaccination rates. In British Columbia, as of April 22, 50% of all status and status-eligible indigenous peoples over the age of 18 have been vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine at least once. Alberta is currently in Phase 2D of the State Immunization Rollout, opening vaccinations to all indigenous peoples and Metis over the age of 35, regardless of where they live. Over the next few weeks, more than 12 second clinics will be held in Manitoba. In Quebec, at least 10 communities have started a second dose.

Indigenous peoples vaccination clinics in many cities are also underway across the country, and as age eligibility continues to decline, more indigenous peoples will have access to the vaccine. Phase 1 of the vaccination campaign for indigenous peoples in Montreal, Quebec is ongoing until May 14. In Alberta, Metis was vaccinated with more than 1,300 COVID-19 vaccines at Edmonton’s clinic for four days in March. The clinic, run by the State of Metis in Alberta, was the first clinic led by the Government of Metis in Canada.

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) continues to support many indigenous communities throughout the country. The CAF continues to support vaccination teams by accelerating the pace of vaccination in many reserve indigenous communities in northern Manitoba. So far, CAF has supported the first dose in 11 communities. Last week, the CAF began supporting the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation’s second clinic. This week, CAF will support the second clinics of Powingy First Nations and Little Grand Rapids First Nations.

In response to a request for assistance from Ontario, six Canadian rangers worked in the Lac Seul First Nation community on May 4, 2021 to provide assistance in addressing the COVID-19 outbreak. The Rangers work with indigenous partners to provide humanitarian assistance to meet the urgent needs of this remote community.

Similarly, Canadian rangers were activated on May 10, 2021 in the Moose Cree Natives of Ontario to help mitigate COVID-19 infections in the community. The Government of Canada will continue to support the community in all the capabilities it needs and whenever it is needed.