What resources are available for Indigenous Edmontonians?

"The symbol of Treaty 6 is two people coming together and shaking hands," said Grand Chief Billy Morin of the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations. He has praised the Government of Alberta for its ongoing communication with First Nations communities across the province.

“I have been communicating regularly with First Nations and Métis leadership about the needs and unique challenges facing them during the COVID-19 crisis. As well, I have been relaying our conversations to the federal government to advocate for and press the concerns that have been raised,” said Rick Wilson, Alberta's minister of Indigenous relations, on March 28.

Many agencies serving Indigenous communities have closed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society restricted access to its facility and started working remotely on March 20. Aboriginal Counseling Services of Alberta closed its office as of March 20, but is still assisting people via the phone. The Canadian Native Friendship Centre also closed its main office in Edmonton and is offering many of its programs and services remotely. The Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women closed as of March 16 and is also offering supports and resources online.

On March 19, the federal government announced $305 million to help Indigenous communities across Canada prevent, prepare, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. First Nations in Alberta will receive $26.267 million, while Métis will receive $7.5 million. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Indigenous communities can use the money as they see fit.

"We don't think it's enough as First Nations peoples, frankly," said Morin when asked about the funding.

The provincial government has provided funding to assist vulnerable Edmontonians with grants to non-profit and charitable organizations being distributed through Family & Community Support Services.

One concern that Indigenous communities have raised is a lack of testing. “We should have the capacity to test within the reserve,” said Dr. James Makokis, a family doctor who works in Kehewin Cree Nation, located about 200 kilometres northeast of Edmonton. The community had only two test kits as of March 25.

The Government of Alberta's Aboriginal Consultation Office is responsible for making sure that consultations with Indigenous communities affected by oil, gas, mining, forestry, or other similar projects meets all requirements. The office is coordinating consultation pauses while the chief medical officer of health’s recommendation for self-isolation remains in place. Twenty-two Indigenous communities have paused consultations as of March 25.

For more information on this topic:

• Grand Chief Billy Morin held a town hall on Facebook Live on March 24.
• The April 2020 edition of Echo News contains more information about how Enoch Cree Nation is responding to the pandemic.
• The Government of Canada has published a First Nations Community Guide on Accessing Additional Supports.