Lecture 12

Question 1

COVID-19 Pandemic & First Nation 1st Wave: What did we except?

Answer 1

• Colonial history + government mistrust = vaccine hesitancy
• Higher rates of infection and death
• Outbreaks
• Transmission between on-reserve and off-reserve members
• Fear mongering, pushback

Question 2

COVID-19 Pandemic & First Nation 1st Wave: What actually happened?

Answer 2

• “First Nations are crushing COVID-19…” – Dr. Ibrahim Khan, Chief Medical Officer for Indigenous Services Canada (SK region)
• High rates of vaccinations
• Expanded delivery of vaccinations (lower ages, police officers, non-Indigenous people, ex. Saskatoon Tribal Council)
• Low rates of vaccine hesitancy
• history actually told us this was possible (ex. flu vaccine uptake)

Question 3

How did we do it?

Answer 3

• Travel restrictions – strictly monitored
• Remote learning – devices distributed and supports provided
• Vaccine delivery in community – locally administered, calling citizens
• Social supports – social media engagement, internet installation/upgrading, family activity packages, etc.
• Health supports – Sanitizing kits delivered to households, weekly and monthly food baskets, water delivery for seniors and house-bound citizens, etc.
• Exceeding public health orders

Question 4

A Mini-Case Study of 2 Worlds just 45 minutes Apart: Regina Results

Answer 4

Outbreaks
High infection rates
Hospitalizations increasing
COVID-19 benefits decreasing
Vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine demonstrations

Question 5

A Mini-Case Study of 2 Worlds just 45 minutes Apart: X First Nation Community

Answer 5

• 0 active cases
• Social supports in place
• Health supports in place
• Vaccines available
• Borders once restricted but now monitored
• School open, remote options available

Question 6

COVID-19 Pandemic & First Nations: Barriers

Answer 6

• Mistrust of health providers due to colonization and past practices such as forced sterilization and medical experimentation
• Lack of access or regular use of healthcare
• Lack of basic infrastructure – overcrowding, lack of services, poor housing, etc.
• Negative healthcare experiences, racial discrimination

Question 7

COVID-19 Pandemic & First Nations: Strengths

Answer 7

• Community beyond the individual – Family ties and relationality, relationships
• Value of life
• Value of health
• Importance of our Knowledge Keepers and most vulnerable
• +/- Economy - non-existent in many cases and/or value of it is minimized in comparison to health
• Goal vs. problem
• Creative outreach ideas to incentivize vaccines