Concerns over Covid-19 continue in remote First Nations communities.
Concerns in remote First Nations grow as B.C. begins phase 3 of its restart plan. Phase 3 was launched without consultation or consent from First Nations. On July 9, the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council issued a statement that they wanted 4 conditions met if their community was to reopen. These conditions include rapid and easy testing, screening of non-residents, culturally sensitive contact tracing and communications if someone with the virus was close to the communities.
On June 24, the Heiltsuk, Nuu-chah-nulth and Tsilhqot’in collectively issued a statement that they were not giving Premier John Horgan their consent with reopening. Then on July 9 the Haida Matriarchs occupied their villages to protect their people against Covid-19. Most businesses on Haida Gwaii have remained closed to non-residents though 2 fishing lodges, Queen Charlotte Lodge and West Coast Fishing Club have opened up against Haida law and the local state of emergency. The concerns comes from the fishing lodges bringing in non-residents and increasing the threat of Covid-19.
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council President Judith Sayers commented on the situation saying, “We ask all people to respect the Haida Matriarchs and stay away from Haida Gwaii and not frequent these fishing lodges.”
The Nuu-chah-nulth call on the BC Government to rethink the Phase 3 re-opening, especially in remote communities.
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