FNHSSM's COVID-19 RESPONSE

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Executive Committee declared a state of emergency in response to the emerging COVID-19 global pandemic and created the First Nations Pandemic Response and Coordination Team on March 17th, 2020 via resolution in order to begin the work of collective planning and response. Taking from lessons learned from the previous experience with H1N1, First Nations leadership along with various government and non-government partners have worked together to address issues, challenges and logistics to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated challenges.
 
Thus, the Manitoba First Nations Pandemic Response Coordination Team (MFN PRCT) formed, consisting of a collaborative partnership between the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, the newly formed Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin, and the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba.
 
Under the MFN PRCT, the FNHSSM provided executive direction on PRCT pandemic planning response via weekly planning sessions, undertook the role of coordinating social supports to communities, conducting outreach to southern First Nations, and also lending nursing supports to community Rapid Response Teams coordinated through Ongomiizwin Health Services. In April 2020, we began the work of formulating Social Supports Teams in the following areas: