First Nations COVID-19
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First Nations COVID-19 infection rate now higher than national average

by Lorraine Carpenter

$1.2-billion more federal funding has been pledged to fight the pandemic in Indigenous communities.

As the COVID-19 infection rate among First Nations has surpassed the national average, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller announced in a press conference on Wednesday that Ottawa is investing an additional $1.2-billion to fight the pandemic in Indigenous communities.

The new spending includes $380-million for the Indigenous communities support fund, which provides support for elders, addresses food insecurity and supports initiatives to help limit the spread of COVID-19 on First Nations reserves.

$630-million will be allocated for hiring new staff, buying PPE and adapting existing facilities to manage the pandemic, while $186-million will go to additional home-care services.

There are currently 4,384 active cases of COVID-19 in First Nations communities, and a total of 11,502 cases since the pandemic began.

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by Lorraine Carpenter

Editor in chief
Lorraine Carpenter was born in Montreal and studied communications and journalism at Concordia. She co-founded Cult MTL in 2012 following 12 years at the now-defunct Montreal alt weekly the Mirror, where she worked in editorial as copy editor and music editor. She’s dedicated to supporting the cultural scene in Montreal.