COVID-19 Framework for Remote Reserves

A draft Framework for remote reserves based on ‘the COVID-19 response framework for homelessness’ is being developed to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the on-reserve population (Link) with Norah Whiteway from Wasagamack Community Health and others. This response needs to be finalized, communicated and applied with a team of Indigenous and other experts, using Indigenous knowledge systems to provide needed resources and supports for community-led implementation to help Anishiniwuk people isolate and remain healthy, housed and well-fed, able to follow healthy practices (e.g., isolation and handwashing).This response needs to be finalized, communicated and applied with a team of Indigenous and other experts, using Indigenous knowledge systems to provide needed resources and supports for community-led implementation to help Anishiniwuk people isolate and remain healthy, housed and well-fed, able to follow healthy practices (e.g., isolation and handwashing). A proactive step is that some barricades were put in place in Northern Manitoba First Nation communities in mid-March to limit outside contagion. Isolating Elders will be a high priority, recognizing they are highly-respected libraries of knowledge, as well other vulnerable populations, which is difficult with overcrowding. This will require careful planning and material support. Northern Manitoba Anishiniwuk were able to survive tuberculosis and other disease plagues in the early 1900s by surviving with sustenance (food, fish, medicines, etc.) from the land, applying physical distances living on their traplines before the Anishiniwuk were forced into reserves. All housing and buildings available, as well as the potential use of temporary structures, for isolation and containment/treatment, must be considered and a plan developed. Some families, who live in overcrowded circumstances have requested to isolate in their cabin on their traplines, which as well as distancing will provide hunting and fishing support for the reserve population. For those dispersing in their traditional territory on traplines and those isolating on the reserve will need equipment for food (fishnets, snares, decoys, freezers, generators, etc.), technological supports to ensure safety (radios, walkie-talkies or satellite phones) and housing supports to better use available empty space (cots, tents or tarps for teepees for spring/summer and funding for transportation to get to traplines, woodstoves).

Island Lake was the epicentre of the H1N1 crisis, however, no major infrastructure change occurred to remediate the underlying causes, namely no hospital and inadequate safe supply of food, homes and water. Island Lake has the worst housing conditions in Canada. COVID-19 transmission is a high risk when 23 people live in a two-bedroom home where “they had to take turns sleeping” (Puxley, 2016) and many without running water. This situation is a “ticking time bomb” requiring quick action to ensure that CORVID-19 is not the detonator. Overcrowding will also pose much higher risks for contracting COVID-19, making isolating Elders and immune-compromised people at home generally impossible with limited other spaces to shelter in the community. Homes have insufficient water to wash hands regularly, which places them at further risk, without running water or having cisterns, which frequently run out of water. Food security rates are very high in Garden Hill (88%), and three other Island Lake communities due to a limited selection of healthy foods, high food prices, the uncertainty of travel on winter ice roads, high poverty rates, and high cost of obtaining local country foods.

Returning to rely on the land (Nopimik) may be the way forward.