UBCIC
401 - 312 Main St. V6A-2T2 Vancouver, BC, Canada

First Nations and Provincial Health Officer Sign COVID-19 Information Sharing Agreements VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA (February 9, 2021) A coalition of First Nations and BC’s Provincial Health Officer have negotiated and are signing information sharing agreements that provide more detailed information about COVID-19 case numbers in nearby communities, and will enable the nations to make more informed decisions on safety measures, and provide risk guidance to their members. Th...e agreements’ preamble makes clear that the nations do not view them as providing completely satisfactory disclosure, and they believe systemic change must still occur in BC’s healthcare system, including establishing new structures and protocols that support sufficient and timely information sharing with Indigenous governments during emergencies, with consideration to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond’s November 2020 report, In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in BC Health Care. Under the terms of the agreements, the Provincial Health Officer will provide the Heiltsuk Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Member Nations, and Tsilhqot’in National Government with frequent reports listing the number of COVID-19 cases in proximate communities, and certain thresholds must be met before the nations can disclose the number of cases in a community in their public risk statements. This hard-fought agreement improves our access to COVID-19 proximate case information in the middle of a pandemic, said Marilyn Slett, Chief Councillor of the Heiltsuk Nation. With more detailed and timely information, we can offer improved risk assessments and guidance to our community members. COVID cases are still on the rise in BC and vaccination rollouts have been slow due to supply issues, said Judith Sayers, President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. This information is vital to First Nations, particularly in light of the new variants that are appearing in the province." I recognize that Indigenous communities in British Columbia have been seriously and negatively impacted by historical epidemics, said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. My office is sharing information in the spirit of reconciliation, to realize self-governance and self-determination, and to ensure an effective public health response to COVID-19. Copies of signed agreements to date are available here: http://www.heiltsuknation.ca/agreements/ https://nuuchahnulth.org/welcome https://www.tsilhqotin.ca/documents/ To arrange interviews: Marilyn Slett Chief Councillor Heiltsuk Nation 250-957-7721 Dr. Judith Sayers President Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council 250-415-0387 Andrew FrankHTC Communications 604-367-2112 B.C. Ministry of Health Communications 250-952-1887 http://bit.ly/3a5I1DD

Chief Don Tom, vice-president, Union of BC Indian Chiefs The daily examples we hear of systemic racism toward Indigenous peoples in the health-care system are categorically unacceptable and highly disturbing. The new data report provides the sobering story of how our people continue to receive a lower standard of health care simply because of our identity as Indigenous peoples. We expect all health officials and staff in this province to review the report and commit to making change.

Grand Chief Stewart and his daughter are out of surgery!

Please send love and prayers to Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and his daughter as they go into surgery later this morning.

We thank visitors from these regions for their continued support and understanding; we look forward to welcoming you to Ucluelet when the time is right to travel, said the statement.

UBCIC acknowledges the passing of a great leader and is sending prayers to the family and community.

There is nothing salvageable about this bill. It is the product of insufficient and inadequate consultation, especially with youth groups in the province. It also failed to meet consultation requirements with Indigenous communities and leaders despite the risk that Indigenous youth will be disproportionally targeted and hospitalized against their will. It also ignores the proven harms of compulsory and coercive approaches to addictions care, the evidence showing significant ...barriers to care for youth who use substances and the need for accessible youth-specific harm reduction services. Finally, it misses the mark on what should guide the overdose response: evidence-based, compassionate, ethical and just policies. Reintroducing Bill 22 now would be a mistake, and a deadly one.