b'So, it fell to the Navigators to helpKing works out of Thunder Bay andcommunities in northern Ontario, clients find places to stay and figure outservices a vast area, which includes Firstwhich has provided an opportunity to a way for First Nations patients to accessNation communities that have accessgain an understanding of the health food while away from their homes.to highways and other communitiesissues and struggles that are being faced King works alongside COO colleaguesthat are considered remote. In addi- by Indigenous Peoples. Her interest Jennifer Shisheesh, a NIHB Northerntion to helping patients travel betweenlies in advocacy for effective health Navigator, and Miryan Rutledge, acommunities and urban centers for treat- services for First Nations Peoples, and Southern NIHB Navigator. Rutledge hasment, she and the task force work withshe looks forward to continuing to work come to the aid of patients and clientspartners to resolve issues that are broughtwith the Chiefs of Ontario under the who arrive south to access special- up by the communities.NIHB program.ized care. Sometimes the medical careThe task force has also noted theAs Ontario progressed through its required is on an urgent or emergencyneeds of off-reserve First Nationsphased reopening approach, the task basis, such as arrivals by air ambulance.peoples. Theyve worked on sharingforce remained alert to mitigate any new It requires Rutledge to work diligentlyinformation on resources andproblems that arose. Everyone in the to ensure the patients and clients haveconnecting with other urban organiza-essential needs meet such as vouchers fortask force, including King, is keeping an meals and transportation or accommoda- tions to provide First Nations peopleseye out for a second wave. If theres a tions when needed.necessary support. second wave, there might be a pause in Another challenge was the protocols King is an Oji-Cree woman fromtravel again, King says. including hand washing, social distan- Kingfisher Lake First Nation, a reserveAt the time of writing, cases have been cing and other measuresput in placelocated 350 kilometres north of Siouxsteadily climbing in Ontario, although not only by their home communitiesLookout, Ont. She is a fluent speakerwhether this constitutes a second wave but also by airlines, hotels, restaurantsof her communitys language andof the pandemic is unclear. Regardless, and patient boarding homes. Somehas gained insight from being able tomaintaining public health measures and communities required band members toconverse and learn from Elders andongoing pandemic resources like the take a COVID test before returning,community members. NIHB task force will be vital to keep says King. Our job is to mitigate anyKing has also worked with differentFirst Nations safe and healthy during this issues before they happen. healthcare providers and variousunprecedented time. Mustimuhw Resources Contributing to Improved Schedule a demo of ourHealth & Wellness forMustimuhw software solutionshttps://www.mustimuhw.com/book-a-demo/ First Nations People Information SolutionsRegister for free Privacy& Security Services forElectronic Medical Records New and Current MIS Customers Virtual Care Technologyhttps://www.mustimuhw.com/solutions/services/ CFS Case Management ToolsLearn how our solutions support communitiesduring COVID-19Mustimuhw Information Solutions (MIS) is a First Nations owned andhttps://www.mustimuhw.com/knowledge-hub/insights/ operated software development company specializing in informationmanagement tools for First Nations Health Centres, Child & FamilyMustimuhw.comService Organizations, and Residential Treatment Centres.Our software promotes strong practice standards and alignment to the1-778-403-5473 unique cultural ways of working of our customers and the communitiesinfo@mustimuhw.solutions they serve.I ssue1 2020C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne l 29'