COVID-19 UPDATES:
As Chiefs and Councilors, health leaders, essential workers and community members work to protect our people and communities, we ask everyone to continue to take precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the new and dangerous variants.
On-Reserve Vaccine Update:
Beginning in mid-March, the Moderna vaccine began to be distributed to all First Nations in Manitoba for those 18 years of age and older. 100,000 doses will be delivered over 100 days and all adults living in First Nations who want to be vaccinated should receive their first dose of the vaccine by May 2021!
Off-Reserve Vaccine Update:
All Indigenous people (First Nation, Metis, and Inuit) aged 18 and older are eligible to schedule an appointment to receive the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines!
Eligibility for the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is provided at medical clinics and pharmacies, will remain for all Manitobans aged 40 and over or people aged 30 to 39 with certain medical conditions as determined by their doctor or pharmacist.
Please call 1-844-626-8222 to book an appointment (call centre is open seven days a week from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM) or book online in order to be vaccinated. You will be asked to self-identify as First Nations as part of the appointment-booking process. Family members and caregivers can make an appointment on a loved one's behalf.
If you are an Elder/Senior or have mobility issues, you can use United Way's 211 Manitoba and Transportation Options Network to help get you to your COVID-19 vaccination appointments! Once you have a confirmed appointment, call 211 to identify available options. Individuals are responsible for the cost of their transportation service, which could include handi-transit, taxi or a shuttle service.
Immunization clinics for Indigenous people living in urban centres set to open the week of April 26, 2021
The clinics will be located at:
- Brandon Friendship Centre, 205 College Ave., Brandon
- Prairie Fusion Arts and Entertainment Centre, 11 Second St. NE, Portage la Prairie (will open week of May 3, 2021)
- Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre, 180 Higgins Ave., Winnipeg
- Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre – Win Gardner Place, 363 MacGregor Ave., Winnipeg
- Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre in Thompson , 4 Nelson Rd., Thompson (will open week of May 3, 2021)
Provincial cases as of May 5, 2021:
New Cases: 272
Total Cases: 40,085 Active Cases: 2,780 Recovered: 36,323
In hospital: 125 In ICU: 38
First Nation cases as of May 4, 2021:
New Cases: 44 On Reserve: 20 Off Reserve: 24
Total Cases: 12,766 Active Cases: 930 On Reserve: 645 Off Reserve: 285
In hospital: 52 On Reserve: 17 Off Reserve: 35 43% of total hospitalizations
ICU Patients: 21 On Reserve: 5 Off Reserve: 16 58% of total ICU Patients
Total doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered to First Nation people in Manitoba as of April 29, 2021: 49,621
On reserve: 36,765 - 51.4% of on-reserve population immunized with 1 dose
Off-reserve: 12,856
The entire province of Manitoba is at Critical level (red) on the Pandemic Response System.
Changes to existing Public Health Orders will take effect April 28, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. and will remain in effect until May 26, 2021. For more information, read the Changes to Public Health Orders Backgrounder.
Have Your Say! MMIWG2S Calls for Justice Survey
Fill out our survey to help us identify the priorities of the First Nations in what is now southern Manitoba around the 231 Calls for Justice, for the purpose of advocating for accountability and action by governments and institutions.
This survey consists of approximately 20 questions and should take 5-8 minutes.
Your participation is anonymous. No identifying information is collected as part of this survey and all responses are confidential. You can choose to provide your e-mail at the end of the survey in order to receive a pocket-sized booklet of the 231 Calls for Justice.
Racism in Health Care Survey Results
In advance of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, SCO release its report showing the results from the Racism in Health Care Survey, conducted in December of 2020 and January of 2021.
Seventy per cent of respondents in the study report that they have experienced instances of racism when accessing services and programs in the Manitoba health care system, and nearly 80 per cent report witnessing a family member or loved one being discriminated against or treated badly because of their race. An overwhelming majority, 92 per cent of survey respondents, either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that racism is a problem in Manitoba’s healthcare system.
Protect Yourself: COVID-19 Vaccine
Got questions about the new COVID-19 vaccine? We have answers!
SCO has a Frequently Asked Questions Factsheet & Resource page to help our community members navigate all the information coming about the vaccine.
When the vaccine is available to you, we encourage everyone to get vaccinated. First Nation health experts tell us it is our best defense against this deadly virus.
1/2: Solidarity in the face of tragedy ✊🏽
This #NationalDayofAwareness for #MMIWG2S, we honour the beautiful tribute to missing & murdered Indigenous women, girls, and #2SLGBTQQIA in Hollow Water First Nation.
Almost every household has a red dress or ribbon on display!
#MMIWG
Have your say this #RedDress Day on #MMIWG2S, to help identify priorities of #MB First Nations for the purpose of advocating for accountability & action by governments and institutions!
The survey take 5-8 minutes & participation is anonymous.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mmiwgcallstoaction
On #MMIWG2S #NationalDayofAwareness, @justice4eishia will adorn red ribbons north of the Salter Bridge & invites those impacted by #MMIWG to write down their loved ones' names to pair with a ribbon, OR DM @justice4eishia w/ your their name & someone will adorn a ribbon for you 🙏
Know an inspiring First Nation youth?
Nominate them to the 2021 Youth Indigenize the Senate Virtual Round Table! Let’s ensure their voices are heard & represented in the @SenateCA!
Event will be held June 28, 2021.
Deadline is May 14 at 11:59 pm PT.
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=XORbRuBCWkanouXqiPGmPvsxI5zieadFvxS9Lj__jy5UNDJPOUpUUlhER09TME0xNkxKWDZFOTNHVC4u
"KNOW WHO YOU ARE!"
This is how #Brokenhead Elder Carl Stone says #FirstNations people can heal from scars of abuse. As a Survivor, he overcame his by returning to his roots & ceremony. Now, he's a @umanitoba Cultural Teacher & Aboriginal Student Advisor 👏
#AntiBullyingDay
Non-Insured Health Benefits Navigator
The SCO Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Navigator is here to help:
- Provide support and advocacy for community workers in assisting their clients accessing NIHB
- Advocate with the federal government & health professionals on behalf of First Nations to resolve NIHB issues
- Support leadership in the work of advocating for policy change within NIHB
- Work to strengthen relationships with health providers, provincial & federal partners
- Improve awareness of the NIHB program & provide information to clients and service providers on the eligible benefit areas and how to address denials and appeals
To contact our NIHB Navigator, click here for email or call 204-946-1869, extension 120. For more information, visit Non-Insured Health Benefits Navigator.
First Nations Health Services Navigator
The SCO First Nation Health Services Navigator serves all First Nation children and their families accessing the Specialized Services for Children and Youth Centre (SSCY) and helps families in the following ways:
- Serves as a culturally appropriate point of contact for children with disabilities and their families
- Provides navigation to appropriate programs, departments and/or agencies
- May attend medical appointments and/or case conferencing with families on request
- Provides culturally safe drop-in and/or meeting space for First Nation families
- Collaborates with appropriate service providers and/or programs, both within SSCY Centre, as well as externally
- Maintains confidentiality in accordance with Personal Health Information Act standards to ensure personal information is kept private, safe, and secure
To contact our First Nations Health Services Navigator, click here for email or call 204-946-1869, extension 120.
For more information visit the Health Services Navigator page.
Child and Family Services Navigator
SCO’s Child and Family Services System Navigator provides support and guidance for First Nation families in southern Manitoba that are navigating the Child and Family Services (CFS) system. The Navigator can offer support and guidance in the following ways:
- Provide guidance and understanding of their rights to families and communities that need help navigating the CFS system.
- Ensure families understand the CFS policies and laws i.e.: case plans, terminology, court orders, etc.
- Assist families with identifying short and long-term goals that are realistic and achievable.
- Refer families to workshops, programs, funding and other suitable resources for their wellbeing and success, both within in Winnipeg, and in their communities.
- Establish positive working relationships with families, CFS agencies, and other family service organizations.
The CFS System Navigator is available from 8:30a.m.-4:30p.m., Monday to Friday. To contact the Navigator, please call 204-946-1869, extension 103 or click here for email.
For more information check out our CFS System Navigator page.
