If you are experiencing any cold or flu symptoms or have recently returned from international travel you must self-isolate and contact Alberta Health Services at 811 immediately. If it is an emergency, call 911 and let operators know your symptoms.
Government officials are updating the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Alberta Association about the national and regional response to the COVID-19 outbreak on First Nations communities. Updates are being shared regularly with Chiefs in the Alberta region and are summarized below.
Alberta Health remains the best source of information for the latest information on the coronavirus outbreak in the province, and what you can do to prevent the spread of the virus. Please visit their COVID-19 webpage for up-to-date information about the pandemic: Click Here for Covid-19 Info
This webpage should be used for information purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice or scientific data. We are sharing facts and information we have received about how to prevent the spread of the virus, as well as specific initiatives being done at the national level to make sure First Nations can respond to an outbreak in their communities.
Alberta Health continues to be the best source of information about the coronavirus outbreak in the province. Please visit alberta.ca/covid-19 for the latest data, public health orders, and guidance from the Alberta government.
The best prevention against an infection is good hygiene and avoiding contact with people (practicing physical distancing). Individuals should take the following measures to prevent the virus from spreading.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) published a guide and self-screening tool for people visiting or returning to their communities during the COVID-19 . Please refer to this guide before visiting or returning to your community to prevent the virus from entering your community.
Click here for more information on how to access free masks from the Government of Alberta.
The Government of Canada has designed and launched a series of measures to provide timely and direct support to Canadians in response to COVID-19. Information on the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan can be found at Canada.ca/economic-response-plan. This website is updated regularly and includes tools and reference guides for individuals detailing the various benefits available and how to apply
Canada also created a new web tool to help connect people with COVID-19 aid by asking questions and outlining programs people may be eligible for. Click here to access it.
How to Apply for Financial Assistance During COVID-19
ISC published the following documents and guides to help First Nations individuals and communities better understand how they can access the many services and financial supports available to them during the pandemic.
The CERB will provide a taxable benefit of $500 per week – for up to 16 weeks – for individuals who are involuntarily without work because of COVID-19. The Assembly of First Nations has also published guides outlining how First Nation individuals can apply for CERB and other benefits:
Service Canada has a toll-free phone line for First Nations members needing help with their Canada Emergency Response Benefit applications. Call 1-877-631-2657.
Resources and support are available for First Nations to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic through Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). They released a community guide to support communities with their pandemic plans and accessing financial aid. First Nations can access additional funding and resources from FNIHB for activities like setting up security checkpoints and purchasing personal protective equipment.
Please note that the link above does not list contacts in the Alberta region office. If you would like more information about how to access public health funding for your community, please contact your community liaison team (listed in the “contacts for First Nations” section of this website) or write to sac.cdemergenciesab-urgencesmtab.isc@canada.ca.
ISC Update to Communities and Partners on 2020-2021 Funding
In a letter to communities and partners, ISC guaranteed that existing funding agreements for 2020-2021 would be transferred uninterrupted. Click the link above for more information.
Mental Health Funding
Alberta is providing $25 million for projects and services that will improve community mental health and addiction recovery supports and services. First Nations are eligible and encouraged to apply. The second call for proposals closes on August 21, 2020. Click here for more information.
ISC-AB prepared a fact-sheet highlighting external funding opportunities for First Nations communities, ans one for mental health resources.
Canada announced funding to support small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses through short-term, interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions. The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association has set up an email distribution service to inform interested Indigenous businesses when they can start applying for this support. Click here for more information. ISC has also published a document detailing the financial supports available to Indigenous businesses:
The Alberta government announced the businesses can apply to the Aboriginal Business Investment fund (ABIF) for initiatives that “demonstrate social and economic benefits for their communities.” Alberta is providing up to $500,000 in investments through this call for proposals. Click here for more information.
Indigenous businesses are eligible for all the support Canada is making available to businesses. A web portal was to help businesses find a wide range of COVID-19 support and other programs and services. Click here to access it.
The Business Resilience Services Hotline is available to small businesses to provide free, customized financial guidance from navigating tax regulations and government support to planning a path to recovery. Click here for more information.
Applications for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) are available through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The CECRA consists of forgivable loans for landlords to subsidize lost rent from small businesses, nonprofits and charitable organizations. Click here for more information.
The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business developed a portal for Indigenous businesses to receive updates, information, and resources about COVID-19. Click here to access it.
Back To TopWe have received the following contact information for people at Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) who are working with First Nations in Alberta on COVID-19. Nations should be in contact with the ISC regional office if you require support, or have any questions or concerns about the virus and response.
ISC created teams to work closely with First Nations and act as their point of contact for COVID-19. Communities can contact their respective teams below for response to their questions, and to deal with any operational or coordination issues related to COVID-19.
| Team # | First Nation / Tribal Council | FNIHB Rep | Regional Office Rep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yellowhead Tribal Council & member Nations, Paul and Enoch | Laurina Eskow Laurina.eskow@canada.ca |
Javed Sommers Javed.sommers@canada.ca |
| 2 | Maskwacis Tribal Council and member Nations, and the Maskwacis Health Services | Janice Willier Janice.willier@canada.ca |
Javed Sommers Javed.sommers@canada.ca |
| 3 | TCVI and member Nations, Saddle Lake | Laurina Eskow (TCVI) Laurina.eskow@canada.ca Michelle Voyageur (Saddle Lake) Michelle.voyageur@canada.ca |
Cornelius Gladue Cornelius.gladue@canada.ca |
| 4 | Treaty 7 First Nations | Janice Willier Janice.willier@canada.ca |
Chris Piper Chris.piper@canada.ca |
| 5 | Athabasca Tribal Council and member Nations, Mikisew, Fort McKay, and the Nunee Health Board | Erin Bligh Erin.bligh@canada.ca |
Jacqueline Stone Jacqueline.stone@canada.ca |
| 6 | KTC and member Nations, Bigstone | Kathleen Gibson Kathleen.gibson@canada.ca |
Jacqueline Stone Jacqueline.stone@canada.ca |
| 7 | LSLIRC and member Nations, Smiths Landing | Kathleen Gibson Kathleen.gibson@canada.ca |
Anil Patel Anil.patel@canada.ca |
| 8 | NPTC and member Nations, WCTC and member Nations | Michelle Voyageur Michelle.voyageur@canada.ca |
Anil Patel Anil.patel@canada.ca |
Additional Contacts at ISC
Public Health Inquiries and Access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Indigenous Services Canada Communicable Disease Inbox
E: sac.cdemergenciesab-urgencesmtab.isc@canada.ca
PPE requests and concerns should be directed to this email
Special Leadership Liaison (supporting information sharing and leadership inquiries)
Dean Janvier (temporary assignment)
E: Dean.Janvier@gmail.com
Alberta Regional Health Emergency Management Coordinator
Jeff Kresowaty
Manager, Health Emergency Management
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB)
E: jeff.kresowaty@canada.ca
Director, Community Infrastructure and FNR
Michael Oostendorp
E: Michael.Oostendorp@aandc-aadnc.gc.ca
ISC Alberta Regional Medical Officer
Dr. Wadieh Yacoub
E: Wadieh.yacoub@canada.ca
Indigenous-specific questions/concerns can be emailed to Alberta Health Services at ahs.ecc.operations.ih@ahs.ca (Please note that Alberta Health Services is available on request to support communities with developing public health guidelines for ceremonies).
First Nation health directors, leaders, and technicians can contact “InfoPoint” to request information about their COVID-19-related questions at 1-855-446-2719 or InfoPoint@fnhma.ca from Monday to Friday, 6 am to 6 pm MT.
The Canadian Red Cross is operating a help desk for First Nations to get dedicated, personalized support on pandemic planning. It is available 7 days a week from 7 am to 7 pm MT. Call 1-833-937-1597.
Back To TopThe First Nations and Inuit Health Branch in Alberta (FNIHB-AB) published a guide to mental health support and resources available to First Nations. Click here to access it.
Hope for Wellness Help Line for Indigenous People
Talk4Healing
Alberta Mental Health Helpline
Alberta Addictions Helpline
Native Youth Crisis Hotline
Kids Help Phone
Alberta Family Violence InfoLine
Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence
You may be eligible for up to 22 hours of counselling or therapy support through your NIHB. This can include virtual or telephone counselling services. Click here for more information on the benefits and services covered under NIHB, or call the regional contact below.
Non-Insured Health Benefits (Alberta)
General inquiries
Telephone: (780) 495-2694
Toll free: 1 (800) 232-7301
AFN Mental Wellness Resources
The AFN has prepared information sheets sharing a list of wellness resources available to First Nations and ideas for taking care of our physical and mental wellbeing during the pandemic:
Thunderbird Partnership Foundation is sharing harm reduction advice to support people’s wellness during COVID-19. Click here to access their resources.
First Peoples Wellness Circle is making information sheets on mental wellness tips for community, families, Elders, and more available for download. Click here to access them.
Youth Resources
Substance Use and Harm Reduction During COVID 19
Under the headers below you will find information and links to resource about:
The Alberta First Nation Governance Information Centre is publishing a weekly COVID-19 update with First Nations case count and epidemiological data. Click here to access the latest and previous reports (on the left sidebar of the webpage).
The Alberta government published a website which offers sector-specific public health guidance to business owners re-opening the different phases of Alberta’s economic relaunch strategy. Visit Alberta Biz Connect for more information on guidelines for re-opening.
Below is an ISC document outlining considerations and recommendations for re-opening northern, remote, and isolated Indigenous communities.
The Canadian Red Cross is operating a help desk for First Nations to get dedicated, personalized support on pandemic planning. It is available 7 days a week from 7 am to 7 pm MT. Call 1-833-937-1597.
Click on the link below for responses to frequently asked questions Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) received about COVID-19, including:
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) published a guide and self-screening tool for people visiting or returning to their communities during the COVID-19. Please refer to this guide before visiting or returning to your community to prevent the virus from entering your community.
ISC released a document with recommendations for how best to continue operating essential health centre services in communities, while preventing the transmission of COVID-19. They hope that these recommendations will support decision-making as centres work through their continuity plans and identify essential and non-essential services.
FNIHB release a practical guide with public health recommendations for funerals, wakes, or memorials on April 14, 2020.
The BC First Nations Health Authority published a free toolkit on food security planning for First Nations during the pandemic. Click here to access it.
The First Nations Health Managers Association is hosting weekly virtual town halls on Thursdays to discuss how COVID-19 is impacting health managers, frontline workers, and communities. Click here to visit Indigneous Health Today where you can find videos of previous town halls, as well as COVID-19 bulletins.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) Posters for Indigenous Communities:
AHS Resources in Blackfoot, Cree, and Stoney-Nakoda:
Public Health Agency of Canada posters in Indigenous languages (Click “please select language” on the right-hand side of the page to download the posters):
Click Here for public service announcement scripts about COVID-19 in Blackfoot, Cree, and other languages.
Assembly of First Nations Fact Sheets:
StatsCan released reports about the impact of COVID-19 on society, including the following reports that may be of interest to First Nations. Click here to access the full list of reports.
The AFN Alberta office is sending updates to First Nations leaders about COVID-19, which can be found in the links below. Please note that our office is currently closed, but all staff are working remotely. If you need to reach us call (780) 509-6657.
Back To TopApril 9th, 2020 - The Regional Chief shares a message of encouragement during this pandemic.
The Regional Chief shares a message of thanks to everyone who participated in the COVID-19 Hour of Prayer on social media.
Regional Chief Poitras sent a message to all Treaty no. 6, Treaty no. 7, and Treaty no. 8 (Alberta) Chiefs on March 22 about the ongoing COVID-19, expressing her support during this unprecedented time. She also provided updates about national funding announcements and tips for First Nations to consider when trying to access these funds.
On March 11th, the Regional Chief issued the following statement regarding the news that the COVID-19 outbreak is now considered a global pandemic. She is encouraging people to take a calm and measured response.
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