b'Health titled The 2009 H1N1 influenzathat are important to keep communitiesAs the pandemic stretches into fall, pandemic among First Nations, Inuitsafe, says Seary.Ontario has begun seeing a resurgence and Mtis people in Canada found thatWhile leadership worked with front- of active COVID-19 cases across Indigenous people in Canada sufferedline workers in their communities tothe province. It is vital that everyone a disproportionate burden of ill healthget preventive measures in place, COOavoids complacency and uses the early brought about, directly and indirectly,quickly sent out information that helpedpandemic experience to move forward from socio-economic, cultural and polit- communities make decisions based oninto a new normal and keep vulner-ical inequities. The same study foundthe guidance from the local public healthable citizens safe. The responses from that in many Indigenous communities,units. The data shows that the preventiveFirst Nations communities across especially those in remote areas, healthmeasures put in place by First Nationsthe province has so far proven to be services and human resources quicklyleadership worked to keep COVID-19successful, and so long as leadership became overwhelmed.at bay. The low COVID-19 case countsremains vigilant, these communities Given this history of First Nationsin First Nations communities can bemay continue to see positive results communities not having adequateattributed to leadership taking the threatas they continue to march into an resources to deal with pandemics, theseriously early on in the pandemic.unprecedented future. Ontario Regional Chiefs office began sending information to communities in early March. According to Colleen Seary, Director of Policy (COVID-19 Initiatives) for the Office of the Ontario Regional Chief, COO has provided this information through daily, weekly andjgferris1959@gmail.commonthly COVID-19 updates. They have been tracking all COVID-19 cases in Ontario, including in First Nations communities and the local public health units. They follow resolved cases, deaths and active cases to share with First Nations. Sharing this information with First Nations lets them know of any poten-tial hotspots near their communities. If a hotspot is located nearby, they can notify and advise their communityEd-Digenous Traditions creates Indigenous Learning Kits for members to take extra precautions when leaving the community.schools, communities, workshops, conferences and In late March, Ontario Regionalpost-secondary institutions. The kits actively demonstrate and Chief RoseAnne Archibald begansupport the educational concepts being introduced.encouraging First Nations to close their borders to non-residents. While not speaking on behalf of Chief Archibald, Seary explains that the purpose of closing the borders was to keep members within the community safe, especially as more and more hotspotsEngage.began popping up. More importantly, it was to keep other people outtrying to prevent members who werent a partAT RESOLUTE, WE KNOW THAT FOREST of the community from entering thePRODUCTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR DAILY LIFE. community, says Seary.THATS WHY WE BELIEVE IN RESPONSIBLE COO is encouraging communitiesFOREST MANAGEMENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BALANCING ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL to open back up when they feel it isAND ECONOMIC PRIORITIES.safe to do so and not necessarily in line with Ontarios overall reopening plan. Many communities are waiting until a few weeks after their local area reopens, allowing them to ensure that it is safe.PAPERPULP TISSUE WOOD www.resolutefp.comThis is what gives the community the control and the ability to help their members feel safe and to take the steps I ssue1 2020C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne l 27'