First Nations take steps to protect themselves

By Kaniehtonkie

Across Canada, First Nations have taken steps to safely secure and protect their communities.

Nearby, Kahnawake has sealed off their land from non-community members. They are open, but not open in a sense.

Thousands of miles away on the west coast, the Haida Nation archipelago is off limits to tourists.

According to CBC, tourists were “immediately turned around and sent home,” said Gudee Gud Dlaay.ya Vince Collison who, days later, was still angry that people even made the journey. “Tourists for some odd reason thought they could hang out here.”

The danger in all communities is, obviously, one of exposure. The more physical distance the better, but that can be difficult to maintain in remote, small communities that are often overcrowded due to chronic housing shortages. That problem is compounded by the fact that community health infrastructure with small hospitals and sometimes even smaller clinics - can be quickly overwhelmed.

Dr. Evan Adams, chief medical officer of the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), said it is fair to assume, if not presume, that Indigenous communities’ “susceptibility to COVID-19 will be higher than in the general population” because Indigenous peoples already suffer poor outcomes in a range of health factors, including communicable diseases.

Council of the Haida Nation president Gaagwiis Jason Alsop said the decision to declare a state of emergency is “critical to the public health of all island citizens.”

On the morning of Tuesday, March 17, a half-dozen or so members of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation (TFN) on the west coast of Vancouver Island assembled at Sutton Pass, the high point of Highway 4 as it wends its way to Ucluelet and Tofino from the east side of the island to stop cars from reaching the coast.

All three Nuu-chah-nulth Nations in Clayoquot Sound, the Tla-o-qui-aht, the Ahousaht, and the Hesquiaht have declared their communities off-limits to outsiders.

In Saskatchewan, Muskoday First Nation announced last week they enacted a law restricting access to the reserve in order to protect its members from the virus. This law carries a fine up to $1,000 and possible imprisonment, according to a press release.

Muskoday said checkpoints and signage will be erected at entry points to the First Nation to prohibit individuals who are not members, residents, essential employees, or individuals delivering emergency services as defined by its council.

Muskoday First Nation has also implemented border security around its community. A press release said the security check will be in place 24/7 with checkpoints at all entrances to the community. The press release said anyone caught breaking the law could face fines up to $1,000 and possible jail time.

During a media conference hosted by Peterborough Public Health, Curve Lake First Nation Chief Emily Whetung says the flag system implemented late last week involves residents posting coloured pieces of paper in their windows, explaining the color depends on their request or necessity.

“It will keep our community members who need to self-isolate to truly self-isolate,” said Whetung.

Residents can use the colored pieces of paper or whatever colored item they like, such as a T-shirt, Whetung explained. The items are hung in the windows to let the First Nation staff and volunteers know of any requests. The color system includes: White: Everyone is OK, Blue: Water, Yellow: Food required, Red: Sick, but it’s not an emergency and Green: Need help, but it’s not health related.

According to the Six Nations Grand River Territory Elected Council (SNGREC) press release on April 3, 2020 they created “Project: Protect Our People - In a measure to ensure the

continued safety and protection, we will be placing concrete barriers at each stop point.”

Six Nations have nine positive confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus. SNGREC and Ohsweken Public Health are toughening their calls for people to stay at home as the long Easter weekend approaches.

“Under normal circumstances, this coming weekend would be a time for our community to

gather under the spring sun,” says SNGREC Chief Hill. “We are asking you to postpone any

scheduled celebrations for when we, as a community, have completely eliminated the COVID19 virus in our community. If not, this could very well become a spring full of suffering and of

loss.”