COVID-19

Last updated: July 6, 2020

MKO has created this page to share updates about COVID-19 that may be of interest to Northern First Nations in Manitoba. The health information we share on this page is informed by the work of the new health entity called Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin. You can learn more about this new health entity here.

Click a heading to jump ahead or scroll through this webpage to find the following sections:

First Nations resources

Here are some resources that may be useful for MKO First Nations:

Funding opportunities:

Health resources:

You will also find health resources in the section called “helpful links” and in “resources for First Nations.”

If you are concerned about your health:

Manitoba residents may contact Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free) if you’re experiencing symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus.

Do not call 911 unless it is an emergency.

If you would like to screen yourself for COVID-19, the Province of Manitoba has created an online screening tool. You can access it here.

Testing locations for COVID-19:

You can find a list of all COVID-19 screening locations in Manitoba here.

The Northern testing sites are in Thompson (Thompson Clinic); Flin Flon (Channing Auditorium), and The Pas (Royal Canadian Legion). All testing sites are open from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

All nursing stations should have the ability to test for COVID-19. To help keep others in your community safe, please call Health Links at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free) and/or your nursing station in advance if you think you have COVID-19 to let them know you are wanting to have a test. They may have special instructions for you.

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19:

We will post more information here about what to do if you are diagnosed with COVID-19.

  • The Public Health Agency of Canada webpage and fact sheet: How to isolate at home when you have COVID-19
  • Click here to watch a video in which Robin Buckland, Chief Nursing Officer at Indigenous Services Canada, provides information about COVID-19 testing and care and what to do if you are in a First Nations community.

Helpful links:

Social media can be a challenging place to obtain truthful information about this pandemic. MKO encourages using reliable sources of information to get updates on the COVID-19 pandemic. MKO suggests visiting the following websites:

Media releases and updates:

MKO in the news: 

The following is a list of stories related to COVID-19 and MKO:

Public service announcements:

If you listen to NCI FM radio, you may have heard the following public service announcement about the importance of washing your hands. If you haven’t heard it yet, give it a listen!

 

April 1: Public service announcement on social distancing

 
Indigenous Services Canada has translated public service announcements about COVID-19 in a variety of Indigenous languages, including Denesuline, Oji-Cree, Plains Cree, Swampy Cree, and Woods Cree. You can find the messages in all languages online here. 

Video messages from MKO:

March 18: Watch Grand Chief Settee’s video message to MKO citizens about COVID-19.

March 18: Recommendations for MKO citizens on COVID-19

MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee speaks about access to the land, social isolation, and the importance of continuing to consume traditional foods while First Nations leaders prepare to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Northern First Nations in this video. These recommendations have been passed onto the Grand Chief by medical advisor Dr. Barry Lavallee at Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin.

 

 

March 27: Grand Chief Garrison Settee shares an update on some of the advocacy issues connected to COVID-19 that MKO has been working on for the week of March 22 to 28:

 

March 29: Grand Chief Garrison Settee provides an update related to COVID-19 in Northern First Nations in Manitoba for Sunday, March 29.

“I want to commend everybody for all that you are doing. I want to thank everybody for doing their part… we’re all in this together.” 

 

March 31: Grand Chief Settee speaks about the need to close the Keeyask construction site in Northern Manitoba

 

April 1: Grand Chief Settee speaks about the need for reliable Internet and phone service in Northern Manitoba

 

April 11: MKO Grand Chief shares a special musical message for frontline workers:

 

April 14: Flattening the curve in MKO territory, a message from Grand Chief Garrison Settee:

 

April 16: MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee has created a message in the Cree language for seniors/Elders who are living in care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please share the following video with any Cree-speaking seniors that you know.

 

April 20: Tune into Knowledge Keepers (episode four) on NCI FM:

 

April 27: Tune into the final episode of Knowledge Keepers (episode five) on NCI FM:

 

April 30: MKO’s Client Navigator Bernice Thorassie provides a message in the Dene language on COVID-19:

 

Stay tuned! New video messages coming soon.