B.C. COVID-19 news provided by the Province of British Columbia
News
Self-Screening Tool for COVID-19 for First Nation
Self-Screening Tool for COVID-19 for First Nation Visitors or Members Returning to Communities
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is working closely with First Nations partners, the Public Health Agency of Canada, other departments such as Heath Canada, Public Safety and provincial and territorial counterparts to protect the health and safety of First Nations and support First Nations communities in responding to public health threats, including COVID-19.
To read the full version please click the links below.
English version: Self Screening Tool – visitors and returning members to communities_0403
Version français: Outil d’auto-observation – visteurs et membres revenant dans la communauté
COVID 19 – Accessing financial benefits and support
Canada Emergency Response Benefit Support Information
From Indigenous Services Canada
For information on accessing financial benefits and support during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Carrier Sekani Tribal Council Advisory on COVID-19
Tribal Chief of Carrier Sekani Tribal Council is issuing the following as our immediate response measures to COVID-19 to protect our staff, contractors and member nations:
Business Travel and Meeting Prohibitions and Restrictions
- A ban is now in effect on all non-essential business travel where the travel by air or rail (this does not include travel to your home office), regardless of whether your travel destination is international (outside of Canada) or domestic, but does not affect your commute to your home office. If you have essential business travel booked, this must be approved before it is undertaken. Please direct approval requests with specific details of your planned essential business travel to Mina Holmes or John Lewis.
- All in person meetings in the workplace with 15 people or more are now prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, meetings that we may host, external events that our member nations may wish to host in our premises, and internal meetings and gatherings. We encourage you to use video or audioconferencing facilities where appropriate.
- Staff and contractors are now prohibited from attending any external business events, conferences or other large gatherings when on CSTC business and where 15 or more people are in attendance, regardless of location.
CSTC would like to assure you that everyone’s collective health remains our top priority, as we continue to refine best practices in our office. It is important to utilize the highest standard in infection control procedures.
So it is most important that we all do our part to help slow the spread of this virus. By educating ourselves with the latest scientifically driven information along with advised protocol, we can make a difference.
Please take the time to become informed daily through reliable links like the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel) and if, “Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.”
Welcome Home Bear Clan Blanket and Drum
Commeration of Bear Clan Regalia at Nadleh Whut’enne Yah
In 1924, Diamond Jenness went to Nadleh & Thomas Cho donated the bahlats bear regalia for preservation for the future. The Bear Button Blanket and Bear Drum will be returning to Nadleh.
Please RSVP with Eleanor Nooski or Lorna Paul at (250) 690-7211 and the host table will be Dunt’emyoo Clan.
Also see CSTC Event Page

Big Bar Landslide Update for Sept 15, 2019
Big Bar Landslide Update – Sept 12, 2019
Update from CSTC Fisheries Program Manager, Christina Ciesielski on Big Bar Landslide (Province of BC Sept 12, 2019)

CSTC Fisheries – Big Bar Landslide Update (Sept 11, 2019)
Christina Ciesielski, CSTC Fisheries Prgram Manager provides updated information from the Province of BC on the Big Bar Landslide

Clarification on HIC’s recent Requests for Expression of Interest
The BC First Nations Housing & Infrastructor Council (HIC) recently sent out three seperate Requests for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for 4 (four) vacancies within the HIC structure. This memo will hopefully clarify confusion about the difference between these three requests, plus there was an error that HIC would like to correcton the closing date in a version of one of the requests.
For additional information click here
Starvation deaths of 200 reindeer in Arctic caused by climate crisis, say researchers
“During an annual census of the wild reindeer population on the group of islands about 1,200km (746 miles) from the north pole, three researchers from the institute identified the carcasses of about 200 deer believed to have starved to death last winter.”
Show moreWet’suwet’en First Nation elects new Chief and Council
(Wet’suwet’en First Nation Territory – Burns Lake, BC) – On May 30, 2019, the Wet’suwet’en First Nation concluded its election for one Chief and two Councillor’s, for a three year term from May 31, 2019 to May 31, 2022. The successful candidates are Maureen Luggi, Chief and elected Councillors Heather Nooski and Karen Ogen-Toews. Luggi defeated incumbent Vivian Tom.
Show moreCarrier Sekani Tribal Council Applauds SD 57 for Ad Hoc Committee on Reconciliation
Carrier Sekani Tribal Chief Applauds SD57 for Ad Hoc Committee on Reconciliation
- Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) represents seven member bands with a membership of 5500 members, many of whom reside in Lheidli territory.
- CSTC was one of many partnership groups who helped pave the way for Nusdeh Yoh, which was British Columbia’s first ever Aboriginal choice school.
Lheidli T’enneh Territory/Prince George BC – The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) is applauding a recent motion put forward by the Board of Trustees of School District 57, which calls for an ad hoc committee to be formed to implement reconciliation within the school district.
Tribal Chief Mina Holmes stated, “We are thankful for this news. CSTC has been behind many innovations in SD57 that benefit all students today, and this news is encouraging. All children in SD57 will benefit from the action of this committee. We commend and support the work of Lheidli T’enneh, McLeod Lake Indian Band and SD57 for the courage in moving forward with this motion.” CSTC hopes this recent motion will pave the way for more community input into Aboriginal education, particularly the many urban students in SD57 who currently live away from their home territory. CSTC estimates that roughly one-third of the total SD 57 Aboriginal population come from the seven CSTC member bands.