Pandemic Response & Emergency Planning

Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic by First Nation Communities in the Region “If we don’t learn from the lessons of the past, the history and devastation of past pandemics will only repeat themselves.”

-Marilyn Slett and Dr Judith Sayers, The Georgia Straight A map showing the First Nation Communities on and around Vancouver Island

Tlatlasikwala First Nation Kwakiutl Indian Band

Gwa'sala-'nakwaxda'xw Nation Wuikinuxv First Nation (Oweekeno) Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis First Nation

Quatsino First Nation ‘Namgis First Nation Dzawada enuxw First Nation Gwawaenuk Tribe Da'naxda'xw/Awaetlala First Nation ʼ

Winter Harbour

Port Hardy

Port McNeill First Nation Campbell River Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k:tles7et'h' (Kyoquot) Wei Wai Kum First Nation (Campbell River Indian Band) Courtenay (Cape Mudge Indian Band) (Chinehkint) Qualicum Beach Tla'amin Nation Homalco (Xwemalhkwu) First Nation Nanaimo Mamalilikulla First Nation Ladysmith Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation K'ómoks First Nation Duncan

Victoria Port Renfrew Qualicum First Nation Hupačasath First Nation Snaw-naw-as (Nanoose) First Nation Port Alberni Tofino Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations (Clayoquol) Ts'uubaa-asatx (Lake Cowichan) First Nation Lyackson First Nation Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation (Ucluelet) Tribe Stz'uminus First Nation (Chemainus) Toquaht Nation Uchucklesaht Tribe Tseycum First Nation Huu-ay-aht First Nations Pauquachin First Nation Malahat Nation Kwakwaka'wakw N Esquimalt First Nation Nation T'Sou-ke Nation (Sooke) Scia'new First Nation (Beecher Bay) Nuu-chah-nulth S

Note: This map is not to scale and community locations are approximate. The purpose of this map is to provide a general visual guide to the location and spread of First Nation communities on V ancouver Island. Note: This is a working copy, last edited 29 May, 2020 . Overview

Collaboration Circle

○ NALMA ○ Vancouver Island Community Led Pilot Projects

○ VIU - Master of Community Planning Students Overview

Report Summary

○ Methods ○ Feature Stories ○ Timeline ○ Plans Review ○ Responses & Challenges ○ Future Preparation

■ The CARE Model ■ PREP Framework Methods

• Governmental pandemic response reports

• Emergency planning literature

• Comprehensive Community Plans Emergency Plans, and/or Pandemic Plans from twenty First Nations in the VIR

• Individual consultation with communities

• Publicly available secondary data – such as media, community Facebook pages and community websites Timeline

• A timeline runs through the body of the report to provide a snapshot in time documenting the COVID-19 pandemic

• The timeline includes events from December 2019 through to July 31st 2020

• Global, national, and Vancouver Island- specific events help to provide context to different community responses to COVID-19 Comprehensive Community Plan & Emergency Plan Review

●CCP’s, Emergency Plans, or Pandemic Plans from 20 First Nations in the Vancouver Island region were analyzed

●None of the plans were developed for the COVID-19 pandemic, but all highlighted community health

●Crucial areas of concern: ○ Emergency Operations Centres ○ Information distribution ○ Elders support 3 Types of Community Responses

•Administrative / Band Office Responses

•Community Support Initiatives

•Community Protection initiatives Administrative Responses

●Aimed at keeping First Nations staff safe while also ensuring business continuity

●Popular responses included:

○ Temporary office closure ○ At-home or remote work options ○ Shifting to essential services only ○ Declaring a local State of Emergency ○ Opening an EOC ○ Collaborating with other organizations Community Support Initiatives

●Aimed at providing access to resources that had become less available due to the pandemic, such as food or transportation

●Popular responses included:

○ Keeping members updated with COVID- 19 safety information ○ Grocery/hamper deliveries to members ○ Cash distributions to members ○ Prescriptions over the phone Community Protection Initiatives

●Aimed at protecting the community from the spread of COVID-19

●Popular responses included:

○ Encouraging safety protocols such as hand- washing, social distancing, and mask-wearing ○ Closing roads and borders ○ Closing public buildings ○ Signage to keep visitors away ○ Postponing or canceling gatherings Feature Story

‘Namgis and Tla-o-qui- aht First Nations: Working Together and Lending a Hand Challenges Faced by First Nation Communities

•Transportation challenges •Administrative challenges •Funding challenges •Border security challenges •Housing Challenges •Physical health and health care challenges •Family safety challenges Future Preparation

1. Formal Planning & Preparation 2. Funding & Staff Support 3. Communications 4. Medical Care Equipment & Infrastructure 5. Member Health 6. Member Behaviours 7. Technology & Resources The CARE Model

Next Steps

1. Continue Collaboration Circle

2. Pilot the PREP framework and CARE model

3. Collect more stories - second wave - vaccination roll out - new variances of Covid 19