IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND NOTICES
FOR FIRST NATIONS LEADERSHIP
Information and updates distributed to First Nations communities and leadership are available for download below.
The Chiefs of Ontario will continue to monitor and update this page as the situation continues to evolve.
April 8, 2021 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 51 – COVID 19 Testing Data
There were 141 new positive results among First Nations people over the past week ending Apr 4, 2021, down from 154 last week. This is the 5th week in a row with decreasing totals. The number of positive results among First Nations to date is 2,957. Consideration of how to avoid the historical pattern of following the Ontario trend (which is increasing now) is very important at this time.
April 1, 2021 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 50 – COVID 19 Testing Data
There were 179 new positive results among First Nations people over the past week ending Mar 21, 2021, down from 224 last week. This is a 20% decrease and the third week in a row with decreasing totals. The number of positive results among First Nations to date is 2,664.
March 26, 2021 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 49 – COVID 19 Testing Data
There were 154 new positive results among First Nations people over the past week ending Mar 28, 2021, down from 179 last week. This is the 4th week in a row with decreasing totals. The number of positive results among First Nations to date is 2,817. However, this should be interpreted in light of the INCREASING trend in cases across Ontario.
March 18, 2021 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 48 – COVID 19 Testing Data
There were 224 new positive results among First Nations people over the past week ending Mar 14, 2021. This is a slight decrease from last week. The number of positive results among First Nations to date is 2,487.
March 11, 2021 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 47 – COVID 19 Testing Data
There were 237 new positive results among First Nations people over the past week ending Mar 7, 2021. This is a slight decrease after 3 weeks of increasing totals. The number of positive results among First Nations to date is 2,264.
February 24, 2021 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 45 – COVID 19 Testing Data
There were 161 new positive results among First Nations people over the past 6 days ending Feb 21,
2021. This equates to about 188 new results for a 7-day period, the highest single-week increase to
date, passing the previous high of 183 seen in mid-January 2021.
February 19, 2021 - Food Security Funding and Resources
The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting Indigenous communities in many ways, including with regards to food. Concerns can be wide ranging from how to safely shop and prepare food to minimize the transmission of COVID-19, to having access to enough healthy food for families and communities. It is important that Indigenous communities have easy and fast access to trustworthy, factual, effective and culturally relevant resources to support their health and wellness during this challenging time. Below is a list of food-related funding sources, resources and websites to access a broad range of food security-related supports, information and services.
February 19, 2021 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Newsletter - Volume 3
Second Harvest has received an additional $8 million from the Government of Canada’s Emergency Food Security Fund, to help improve access to healthy food to charities and nonprofits supporting people experiencing food insecurity.
February 19, 2021 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 44 – COVID 19 Testing Data
There were 166 new positive results among First Nations people over the past 8 days. This equates to about 145 new results for a 7-day period, a large increase over previous weeks.
January 28, 2021 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 41 – COVID 19 Testing Data
There were 167 new positive results among First Nations people this week, nearly 10% less than the previous week. This is the first decrease in the weekly total of new positive results in over 6 weeks. Ontario numbers continue to decrease as well.
January 25, 2021 - Appendix 10: Case & Contact Management COVID-19 Surge Support Model
The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen sustained increases in case counts. This has made the implementation of the case and contact management (C&CM) standards identified in Ministry of Health (MOH) policy challenging for some public health units (PHUs). To support the C&CM program overall, the MOH has undertaken a number of initiatives to strengthen the program across a newly networked C&CM system.
January 22, 2021 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Newsletter
The Chiefs of Ontario Health Secretariat is here to support you in any way possible as we work through all of the uncertainties together.
January 15, 2021 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 39 – COVID 19 Testing Data
The 153 new positive results among First Nations people in the week ending Jan 10, 2021. This is 2.5 times the total for last week which, until this week, was the highest total to date. This increase is consistent with the fears that there was more socializing over the holiday season.
December 18, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 35 – COVID 19 Testing Data
The 44 new positive results among First Nations people this week is 70% more than last week. Relative increases in positive results were higher this week with 16% more in Northeast and Southeast.
December 10, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 34 – COVID 19 Testing Data
The total of 26 new positive results among First Nations people this week is about the same as the previous week. Like last week, most (20) were among people living OUTSIDE communities.
December 3, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 33 – COVID 19 Testing Data
The total of 27 new positive results among First Nations people this week is a small decrease from the previous week. The vast majority (22) were among people living OUTSIDE communities.
December 3, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario - First Nations COVID-19 testing in Ontario: Age-Group Analysis
Since the end of September 2020, the number of positive test results among First Nations people in Ontario has increased. The largest increases were among people 20-39 years and, to a slightly lesser degree, 40-64 years (red and green lines, respectively).
November 26, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 32 – COVID 19 Testing Data
The total of 33 new positive results among First Nations people this week is a small increase over the previous week. 12 of this week’s positive results were in communities.
November 25, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Communique – Health, Social and Education
As COVID-19 continues to evolve, Chiefs of Ontario Secretariat will be providing updates concerning technical highlights and vital priority areas.
November 22, 2020 - HELP PREVENT THE FLU WITH FLUMIST® QUADRIVALENT
As your body responds to the weakened virus and begins to produce an immune response, you may experience some flu-like symptoms. If you work or live with people who have a weakened immune system, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before getting FluMist® Quadrivalent.
November 20, 2020 - COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open —Lockdown Measures
This document presents a summary of the zones in Ontario’s response framework. Please refer to O. Reg. 82/20, (Lockdown) O. Reg. 263/20 (Red-Control) and O. Reg. 364/20 (Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect, and Orange-Restrict) or a full list of businesses and organizations permitted to operate, including the associated public health and workplace safety measures.
November 20, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 31 – COVID 19 Testing Data
The total of 31 new positive results among First Nations people this week is a small increase over the previous week. 11 of this week’s positive results were in communities.
November 11, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 30 – COVID 19 Testing Data
The total of 21 new positive results among First Nations people this week is a small increase over the previous week. 9 of this week’s positive results were in communities.
October 30, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 28 – COVID 19 Testing Data
The number of positive results remains high among First Nations people, with 38 new positive results in the past week. 17 were in communities.
October 29, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Communique – Health, Social and Education
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update October 16 , 2020
October 16, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 26 – COVID 19 Testing Data
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update October 16 , 2020
October 9, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 25 – COVID 19 Testing Data
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update October 9 , 2020
September 25, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 22 – COVID 19 Testing Data
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update September 25 , 2020
September 17, 2020 - COVID-19 Chiefs of Ontario Bi-Weekly Update
Greetings from the Health, Social and Education Sectors of the Chiefs of Ontario Secretariat. We are resuming our bi-weekly communiques to you and your communities regarding specific COVID-19 related issues. As this virus continues to evolve and concerns increase about a second wave, we will continue to share technical highlights from each of our sectors.
September 10, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Report 21 – COVID 19 Testing Data
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update September 10 , 2020
AUGUST 18, 2020 - First Nations COVID-19 testing in Ontario: Weekly Report 19
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update Monday, August 24, 2020 (covering tests completed August 16 - August 22)
AUGUST 17, 2020 - First Nations COVID-19 testing in Ontario: Weekly Report 18
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update Monday August 17, 2020 (covering tests completed August 9 - August 15)
AUGUST 10, 2020 - First Nations COVID-19 testing in Ontario: Weekly Report 17
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update Tuesday, August 10, 2020 (covering tests completed August 2 - August 8)
AUGUST 6, 2020 - First Nations COVID-19 testing in Ontario: Weekly Report 16
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update Tuesday, August 4, 2020 (covering tests completed July 26 - August 1)
JULY 29, 2020 - WEEKLY PANDEMIC UPDATE: Day 141
Day 141, COVID-19 Pandemic Update - Summary of First Nations Cases in Ontario
JULY 28, 2020 - First Nations COVID-19 testing in Ontario: Weekly Report 15
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update Tuesday, July 28, 2020 (covering tests completed July 19 - July 25)
JULY 21, 2020 - First Nations COVID-19 testing in Ontario: Weekly Report 14
Please find Report 14 for COVID-19 Testing data and results. You will notice that this report that the cases have risen by 23, the reason for this is that we are now using up to date data set from the Ontario Government called IPHIS – Public Health Information System data.
JULY 17, 2020 - Guidance on Re-Opening Northern, Remote, Isolated, and Indigenous Communities
This document draws upon the April 30, 2020, recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Federal/Provincial/Territorial (F/P/T) Special Advisory Committee (SAC) on COVID-191 for Lifting of Restrictive Public Health Measures2 and provides additional guidance for adapting the recommendations in a northern, remote, isolated and Indigenous3 community context.
JULY 14, 2020 - First Nations COVID-19 testing in Ontario: Weekly Report 13
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update Tuesday, July 14, 2020 (covering tests completed July 5 - July 11)
JULY 8, 2020 - First Nations COVID-19 testing in Ontario: Weekly Report 12
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update Tuesday, July 7, 2020 (covering tests completed June 27 - July 4)
JULY 8, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Health Communique: COVID-19 Weekly Update
As COVID-19 continues to evolve, Chiefs of Ontario Secretariat will be providing updates concerning technical highlights and vital priority areas.
A list of hand hygiene and hand sanitizer resources
JUNE 30 2020 - First Nations COVID-19 testing in Ontario: Weekly Report 11
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update Monday, June 30, 2020 (covering tests completed June 21 to June 26)
JUNE 22, 2020 - First Nations COVID-19 testing in Ontario: Weekly Report 10
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update Monday, June 22, 2020 (covering tests completed June 16 to June 20)
JUNE 24, 2020 - Ontario COVID-19 Education Update
Communique to First Nations Leadership. Education Updates including: First Nations IT Survey by the Ministry of Education, Province Releases School Safety Plan for the 2020-2021 School Year, Post Secondary E-Learning, 2020-2021 OSAP application and Resource - Planning for a Trauma-Informed Re-Opening of Schools.
JUNE 18, 2020 - First Nations COVID-19 testing in Ontario: Weekly Report 9
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing in Registered First Nations People in Ontario, Weekly Update
Wednesday, June 17, 2020 (covering tests completed June 9 to June 15)
JUNE 10, 2020 - Chiefs of Ontario Health, Social and Education Sector Updates: COVID-19 Weekly Update - (Broadband Connectivity)
As COVID-19 continues to evolve, Chiefs of Ontario Health, Social and Education Sectors will be providing updates concerning technical highlights and vital priority areas.
JUNE 4, 2020 - ISC Presentation: Emergency Management Assistance Program
Presentation to Leadership: The Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) was established in 2014 as a single-window for First Nations partners to access federal support for emergency management
JUNE 1, 2020 - Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald marks the 11th anniversar
Today, Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald is marking the beginning of National Indigenous History Month. After continued calls by First Nations and Indigenous Peoples in Canada, in 2009, the House of Commons unanimously voted to designate June as National Indigenous History Month.
MAY 28, 2020 - Emergency and Pandemic Update Meeting Agena and ISC COVID-19 Indigenous Community Support Fund Presentation
Meeting agenda for the May 28, 2020 Emergencies and Pandemic Update Meeting as well as the presentation prepared by Indigenous Services Canada on the Indigenous Community Support Fund.
MAY 27, 2020 - CHIEFS OF ONTARIO HEALTH SECTOR - COVID-19 Weekly Update
As COVID-19 continues to evolve, Chiefs of Ontario Health and Social Sectors will be providing updates concerning technical highlights and vital priority areas.
MAY 27, 2020 - Summary of Federal Initiatives: Addressing Food Insecurity
As mentioned in the Chiefs of Ontario Weekly Communique posted May 27, 2020 this summary provides a summary of federal initiatives with the potential to address food insecurity in Indigenous and Northern Communities
MAY 27, 2020 - ISC Ontario Region: Food Security Funding - Update to Ontario Chiefs
As mentioned in the Chiefs of Ontario Weekly Communique posted May 27, 2020. This document provides information on funding options to address food security resulting from COVID-19
MAY 27, 2020 - First Nations COVID-19 testing in Ontario: Weekly Report 5
COVID-19 testing in registered First Nations People in Ontario weekly update.
MAY 27, 2020 - Chiefs Committee on Health: Infopoint - A COVID-19 "Helpful Desk"
In response to COVID-19, First Nations health managers need access to reliable and trustworthy information. InfoPoint is a phone/email "helpful desk", it is where busy First Nation health managers are provided with a single point of contact and links to useful information related to COVID-19.
May 22, 2020 - NAN Framework for Decision Making on Easing Restrictions in NAN Territory
The NAN Task Team has prepared the following framework to support communities as they begin the discussions on the next phase in responding to COVID-19. Part of this planning includes discussing when and how to ease public health restrictions and how communities should prepare for periodic “waves” of the virus, where COVID-19 infections rise and the risks to NAN communities increase.
MAY 14, 2020 - CHIEFS OF ONTARIO HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECTOR - COVID-19 Weekly Update
As COVID-19 continues to evolve, Chiefs of Ontario Health and Social Sectors will be providing updates concerning technical highlights and vital priority areas.
MAY 7, 2020 - CHIEFS OF ONTARIO HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECTOR - COVID-19 Weekly Update
As COVID-19 continues to evolve, Chiefs of Ontario Health and Social Sectors will be providing updates concerning technical highlights and vital priority areas.
MAY 7, 2020 - CHIEFS OF ONTARIO HEALTH SECTOR WEEKLY MEMO - Maps FN Communities and PHU’s
Click here for First Nation Communities and Public Health Units in Ontario - Northwestern Ontario, Southern Ontario and Northern Ontario inset.
MAY 7, 2020 - CHIEFS OF ONTARIO HEALTH SECTOR WEEKLY MEMO - Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic, Chapter 10: First Nations
This chapter provide information on the roles and responsibilities of health organizations that fund, coordinate and/or deliver health services for individuals living in First Nation communities during an influenza pandemic.
MAY 7, 2020 - CHIEFS OF ONTARIO HEALTH SECTOR WEEKLY MEMO - Relationship with Indigenous Communities Guideline, 2018
This guideline is intended to assist boards of health in implementing the requirements established in the Health Equity Standard and the requirement for boards of health to engage in multi-sectoral collaboration with municipalities, LHIN(s), and other relevant stakeholders in decreasing health inequities.
APRIL 29, 2020 - CHIEFS OF ONTARIO HEALTH SECTOR - COVID-19 WEEKLY UPDATES
As COVID-19 continues to evolve, Chiefs of Ontario Health and Social Sectors will be providing updates concerning technical highlights and vital priority areas.
APRIL 29, 2020 - CHIEFS OF ONTARIO - PASSING OF ELDER LOIS CORNELIUS
Chiefs of Ontario - Notice to leadership
APRIL 27, 2020 - CHIEFS OF ONTARIO - All Ontario Chiefs’ Conference Postponed
Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Treaty #3 Chiefs, Youth and municipal leaders share the who, what, when, where and why of COVID-19 testing, and give words of encouragement. Full-length video in Anishinaabemowin and English.
APRIL 23, 2020 - CHIEFS OF ONTARIO - COVID-19 INFORMATION CHART: FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please find the Chiefs of Ontario - COVID-19 Information Chart: Funding Announcements below. This Information chart reflects recent funding announcements and provides the most up to date information.
APRIL 23, 2020 - CHIEFS OF ONTARIO - HEALTH AND SOCIAL COMMUNIQUE - COVID 19 WEEKLY UPDATE
As COVID-19 continues to evolve, Chiefs of Ontario Health and Social Sectors will be providing updates concerning technical highlights and vital priority areas. This week we also have included an update from Ontario First Nations Young People’s Council.