What we are doing
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By the numbers
As of November 24, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has shipped 1,421 orders for PPE to First Nations communities, with 1 order in progress. The orders include:
- hand sanitizers
- N95 masks
- isolation shields
- gloves
As of the end of September, some examples of what ISC has done in partnership with communities include:
- distributed more than 230,000 swab samples for COVID-19 testing at First Nations nursing stations and health centres and processed 48,554 swab tests since April 1, 2020
- deployed over 600 health care workers to support First Nations communities
- funded 163 mobile structures to support the surge infrastructure needs of communities for treatment, self-isolation testing or screening
- answered 15,864 calls and online chats, including 1,121 directly related to COVID-19, through the Hope for Wellness Help Line between March and August 2020
As of October 30, the Government of Canada has:
- committed over $2.4 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.