â–º Listen Live

ISC provides $250K for better understanding of COVID-19 impact on Indigenous population

As of May 8th Indigenous Services Canada reports 165 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in First Nations communities on reserve and 16 cases in Nunavik, Northern Quebec.

Canada’s Minister of Indigenous Services gave the update this morning pointing to an integral flaw in the data collection relating to the Indigenous population. Marc Miller clearly stated that the data his department provides is limited by what is being collected. This means accurate data is only available for First Nations living on reserve and for Inuit living in Inuit Nunangat.

Miller then shifts to the numbers in the far north where in La Loche, Northern Saskatchewan, the number of positive cases is over 170, including 16 on reserve Indigenous positive cases. But given that La Loche is a Metis-Dene community of the overwhelming majority, Miller says the presumption is that the entire 179 cases or so are indigenous. When you put that in an urban context such as Montreal or Toronto and Vancouver, Calgary or Winnipeg Miller says that data is just not there.

As a result ISC is providing $250,000 to the work of Dr. Janice Smiley, Metis Research Scientist and Physician at the Centre of Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.

Dr. Smiley is currently working with partners to collect necessary data that will allow for better understanding and modelling of COVID-19 cases in Indigenous populations in Canada. Miller says this project will include the development of a COVID-19 Consortium made up of provincial and territorial First Nations, Inuit and Metis partners.

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

RCMP officer’s child exploitation case moves to King’s Bench

The case of St. Paul RCMP officer Evan Peacock, who is facing multiple child exploitation charges, has been raised to the Court of King's Bench, with his next appearance set for July 7 in St. Paul. 

RCMP seeking help in identifying break-in suspects at Lac Bellevue Legion campground

St. Paul RCMP are asking for the publics assistance in identifying three people suspected of breaking into the Lac Bellevue Legion campground in the county of St. Paul. 

Cold Lake council offering 1,000 free kids tickets for RCMP Musical Ride

The RCMP Musical Ride is coming to Cold Lake on July 24 and the city is making it easier for families to attend by giving up to 1,000 free children's tickets. 

Cold Lake adjusts sponsorship for RCMP charity golf tournament

During the June 24th council meeting, Cold Lake city council approved a request to move $3,500 sponsorship grant for the upcoming RCMP Charity Golf Tournament after the original sponsorship level became unavailable. 

Safety upgrades pushed for St. Brides intersection following deadly crash

St. Paul councillor is calling for safety improvements at the St. Brides intersection following a deadly crash in April that claimed three lives. 
- Advertisement -