NCCIH Virtual Series

Virtual Series on First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and COVID-19

Last updated: January 19, 2021

The National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH) is pleased to present a four-part virtual series that will look at look at the experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and communities with COVID-19.

Themes to be explored include: Indigenous governance and self-determination in planning and responding to COVID-19; socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; data collection on COVID-19 cases in First Nations, Inuit and Métis populations and communities; and innovative public health messaging on COVID-19 and Indigenous Peoples.

The series will run over four Wednesdays in January (13, 20, 27) and February 3, 2021 from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PST.

There is no charge to participate, but registration is required as the number of attendees is limited. You will find dates, session titles and other details for each of the four sessions in the virtual series program.

REGISTRATION

This virtual conference series uses Zoom technology. You will require a minimum of Windows 5.3.0 (or higher) or macOS 5.3.0 (or higher) to participate using your desktop computer. For requirements on accessing the conference using mobile devices or if you are just getting started with Zoom, see Zoom's F.A.Q, tutorials, and technical support pages.

VIRTUAL SERIES PROGRAM, RECORDINGS, & PRESENTATIONS

This section features information, webinar recordings as well as speakers' Powerpoint Presentations (PPT) regarding all four sessions of our COVID-19 Virtual Series.

Virtual Session 1 — January 13, 2021

This session, Indigenous governance and self-determination in planning and responding to COVID-19, brings together expert speakers working in a diversity of public health fields across Canada, including:

Dr. Danièle Behn-Smith, Deputy Provincial Health Office, British Columbia - Presentation (PDF)
Minnie Grey, Inuit Circumpolar Council of Canada
Natan Obed, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami - Presentation (PDF)
Tanya Davoren, Métis Nation British Columbia
Dr.Shannon McDonald, First Nations Health Authority
Marion Crowe, First Nations Health Managers Association

This panel will explore the role of Indigenous governance and self-determination in community responses to COVID-19, public health measures, and pandemic planning. Within this context, the speakers will discuss the challenges and opportunities for meeting First Nations, Inuit and Métis community program and service needs and how these have been addressed during this public health emergency.

WATCH WEBINAR RECORDING

Virtual Session 2 — January 20, 2021

This session, Socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis populations, brings together expert speakers working in a diversity of public health fields across Canada, including:

Dr. Chris Mushquash, Lakehead University
Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada
Rebbeca Kudloo, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
Neil Belanger, British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
Dr. Myrle Ballard, University of Manitoba

The presentations will highlight the breadth of impacts that the pandemic has had on the lives of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. For example, they will highlight how First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples’ experiences with health inequities, mental health, physical safety and mobility have been exacerbated through the pandemic. Panelists will also offer up ideas for community-led solutions and strengths exercised by First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and communities throughout COVID-19, as well as policies and services to enhance their health and well-being. REGISTRATION

Virtual Session 3 — January 27, 2021

This session, Data collection on COVID-19 cases in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis populations and communities, brings together expert speakers who work in data collection, ethics and sovereignty, including:

Jonathan Dewar and Maria Santos, First Nations Information Governance Centre
Dr. Janet Smylie, Well Living House
Courtney Skye, Yellowhead Institute
Robyn Rowe, Laurentian University
Pamela Wolfe-Roberge, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch

The panel presentations will look at how data collection for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples and communities has been done over the course of the pandemic. Speakers will highlight the challenges related to ethics, tracking, reporting and understanding of data. The panelists will also discuss what lessons we can take in public health emergencies going forward. REGISTRATION

Virtual Session 4 — February 3, 2021

This session, Innovative public health messaging on COVID-19 and Indigenous Peoples, brings together expert speakers who work in regional and national Indigenous organizations across Canada, including:

Regional Chief Marlene Poitras and Regional Chief Kevin Hart, Assembly of First Nations
Patricia D’Souza, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Tanya Davoren, Métis National Council
Jocelyn Formsma, National Association of Friendship Centres
Hagar Idlout-Sudlovenick, Qikiqtani Inuit Association

These presentations will focus on the innovative development of community and distinctions-based public health messaging on COVID-19. Regional and national organizations took immediate and on-going actions to develop and share credible public health information on the pandemic. They did this through the development of fact sheets, infographics and videos. The panelists will speak to these knowledge sharing formats and the lessons they have learned along the way for demystifying information and reducing stigma around COVID-19. REGISTRATION

NCCIH COVID-19 RESOURCES

Prepared by the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH), these podcasts, factsheets and other resources are intended to inform public health responses in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities throughout the country.

Podcasts

Preparedness in First Nations Communities for COVID-19 (Episode 5) with Marlene Larocque, Senior Policy Advisor at the Assembly of First Nations and Dr. Mryle Ballard, Researcher and Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba as part of the Infectious Questions podcast series.
Voices from the Field 10 - Supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples’ Mental Health and Well-being during COVID-19
Voices from the Field 11 - Supporting Indigenous Midwifery during COVID-19
Voices from the Field 12 - Adapting to COVID-19: Reflections on staying connected to traditions and ceremonies during a pandemic
Voices from the Field 13 - Inuit risk and response to COVID-19
Voices from the Field 14 - Doris Young on respecting our kiteyak during COVID-19
Voices from the Field 16 - Supporting grief, mourning and mental health during COVID-19
Public Health Considerations for COVID-19 in Evacuations of Northern Indigenous Communities (Episode 15)

Fact Sheets and Reports

How to stay active in winter during COVID-19.
Rapid Review: What factors may help protect Indigenous peoples and communities in Canada and internationally from the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts?
Maintaining the health and well-being of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and teens during COVID-19.
Restrictions on Gatherings in Provinces and Territories: COVID-19. This information sheet provides the current restrictions for public and private indoor and outdoor gathering restrictions in each of the provinces and territories in Canada. The National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH) periodically updates this information sheet, however, recommends readers check respective web sites for most up to date information.
Connecting with loved ones in long-term care facilities during COVID-19.

Webinars

External Resources

The NCCIH COVID-19 Resource Library is a selective repository of external resources related both directly and indirectly to COVID-19 intended for diverse audiences including Indigenous communities, health practicioners and policy makers.

ACROSS THE NCCs

Each of the National Collaborating Centres for Public Health (NCCs) maintains a COVID-19 resource page. They are of particular interest to public health practitioners and policy-makers.

Connect with the NCCIH

NCCIH on Twitter

Join the conversation on Twitter with @TheNCCIH. Browse a few of our common hashtags: #TheNCCIH, #NCCIHWebinar, #SDoH, #CulturalSafety and more.

Tweets by TheNCCIH

Event Calendar

Welcome to our calendar of events highlighting conferences, workshops and other events of interest in the field of Indigenous Health. Send us an email if you have an event you would like included in our calendar: nccih@unbc.ca.

NCCPH

Established in 2005 and funded through the Public Health Agency of Canada, the six National Collaborating Centres (NCCs) for Public Health work together to promote the use of scientific research and other knowledge to strengthen public health practices, programs and policies in Canada. A unique knowledge hub, the NCCs identify knowledge gaps, foster networks and provide the public health system with an array of evidence-based resources, multi-media products, and knowledge translation services.

The NCCs are located across Canada, and each focuses on a different public health priority. The six centres are:

NCC for Indigenous Health (NCCIH) at the University of Northern British Columbia, in Prince George, BC.
NCC for Determinants of Health (NCCDH) at St. Francis Xavier University, in Antigonish, NS.
NCC for Healthy Public Policy (NCCHPP) at L'Institut national de santé publique du Québec, in Montreal, QC.
NCC for Environmental Health (NCCEH) at the BC Centre for Disease Control, in Vancouver, BC.
NCC for Infectious Diseases (NCCID) at the University of Manitoba, in Winnipeg, ON.
NCC for Methods and Tools (NCCMT) at McMaster University, in Hamilton, ON.