b'COVID-19On January 28, 2020, just days afterOn March 29, the Elected CouncilThe most significant negative impact Ontario confirmed its first COVID-19and the emergency control groupfor Six Nations was the economic case, Ohsweken Public Health and Sixrestricted access to non-residentsloss; some businesses within the terri-Nations Health Services issued safeentering the community for shopping ortory could not recover and were forced travel precautions. Like other Firstrecreational purposes. The communitysto shut down indefinitely during the Nations in Ontario, Six Nations actedentrances were either operated by check- communitys closure. However, the most quickly. On March 13, the Electedpoints or closed, and all non-essentialprominent positive impact was how Council passed a BCR that directedbusinesses were asked to shut down. unified the community was at expediting the closure of daycares, the bingoWhile the closure of the communitythe checkpoint initiation. This was the hall, parks and recreational facili- and businesses was stressful for everyone,first time in Six Nations history that the ties, cancelled all community eventsLickers says that most of the communityreserve was closed to outside traffic.and directed all employees to workhas been understanding and patient.Six Nations would like to share this from home.We must continue to be unified tomessage with their First Nations Brothers The Elected Council then declaredfully recover from this pandemic withand Sisters: please remain patient and a community emergency in Six Nationsminimal loss, says Lickers.diligent in committing to the personal territory on March 13, 2020, in antici- public health practices, including pation of local COVID-19 cases. SixLike other communities, Six Nationspracticing good hygiene, staying at Nations confirmed its first two cases ofremains more cautious than the provincehome and away from others if symp-COVID-19 on March 28, 2020.overall. We have to, says Lickers, astomatic or feeling ill, wearing a cloth According to Six Nationsa demographic that is more vulnerablemask and continuing to follow all other Communication Officer, Candacedue to overcrowded housing condi- COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Lickers, coping with the positive casestions, lack of clean water and under- While First Nations leadership was not easy. The focus was on keepinglying health issues such as diabetes andacross Ontario acted quickly to stop the the community informed and up-to- respiratory issues, to name a few.spread of COVID-19 from entering date on guidance from the PublicOne of the biggest concerns fortheir communities, they must remain Health Unit. In an effort to unify theSix Nations was protecting their mostcautious given their history with past community during the pandemic,vulnerable populations, including theirpandemics. A study conducted by Project: Protect Our People wasEldersthe emergency control groupthe National Collaborating Centres launched with the goal of protectingrestricted access to the Elders Lodge forfor Public Health and the National the community. all non-essential visitors. Collaborating Centre for Indigenous 26l I ssue1 2020C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'