What we are doing
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By the numbers
As of September 14, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has shipped 1,908 orders for PPE to First Nations communities, with 0 orders in progress. The orders include:
- hand sanitizers
- N95 masks
- isolation shields
- gloves
Here is what ISC has done in partnership with communities:
- As of end of August 2021:
- deployed 497 nurses and 296 paramedics in addition to the existing workforce to support First Nations communities since March 2020
- facilitated the air transportation of 8,213 health human resources from across Canada, to and from First Nations communities in Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta
- funded 559 mobile structures:
- 124 structures in prepositioned stockpiles in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario to support both fly-in and road-access communities. So far, 70 have been deployed to communities as they needed them
- 435 structures delivered directly to 132 communities
- identified 117 existing community spaces that can be upgraded or retooled to support surge health infrastructure needs
- re-tooling involves modifying these spaces to provide additional protections to clients and staff. For example, installing cough shields at administration desks or flooring materials suitable for sterilization practices
- initiated 145 site servicing projects
- site servicing projects include small repairs, upgrades or small site servicing projects to create a safe and operational space, such as repairs to a roof, installing generators or setting up foundations to set the temporary mobile structure upon
- funded 94 hotel or space rentals
- funded 6 units in First Nations in Manitoba to provide long-term, safe and comfortable areas for residents of personal care homes to receive visitors. Units are delivered and operational
- collected 252,205 swab samples for COVID-19 testing since April 1, 2020, both in transferred and ISC-managed nursing stations and health centres. Manitoba is not included in this figure:
- Manitoba reprioritized resources to focus on COVID-19 vaccines and their reporting requirements. As a result, no swab data has been reported to ISC since April 2021
- answered 3,473 calls and online chats directly related to COVID-19 through the Hope for Wellness Help Line since March 2020
The Government of Canada has:
- announced $4.2 billion in specific support to Indigenous and northern communities and organizations
To find out more
Feature stories
ISC has
- trained healthcare providers in the use of PPE required to provide safe care in any public health risk situation
- actively supported First Nations communities to ensure pandemic plans are current and follow best practices
- prepared and shared public service announcements about COVID-19 for radio broadcast in 20 Indigenous languages
- prepared and shared COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan in First Nations Communities (Executive summary)
ISC works closely with PHAC, other Government of Canada departments, and provincial and territorial governments as well as Indigenous partners to protect the health and safety of Indigenous peoples. This includes supporting Indigenous partners in responding to public health threats.
South of 60
ISC's network of regional health emergency management coordinators, communicable disease nurses, environmental public health officers and medical officers advises and supports First Nations communities and leads on public health emergency preparedness and response south of 60. ISC funds or directly employs public health, home care and primary care nurses across many First Nations communities.
As of April 22, ISC has organized charter flights:
- so that health and infrastructure professionals can serve fly-in First Nations communities south of 60
- to provide medical supplies
- to provide equipment required to maintain critical infrastructure such as water treatment plants
Feature story
North of 60
North of 60, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is working with Transport Canada and territorial governments to ensure continuity of routes for goods and essential services.
In the territories, primary health care is the responsibility of the territorial governments. ISC is working closely with First Nations and Inuit partners and territorial governments to respond to COVID-19, and will be available to provide surge capacity support in a timely manner if needed.
Métis communities
When it comes to preparedness and response in Métis communities, the primary guidance and support comes from the provincial government.