COVID-19 Resources for Indigenous Communities and Individuals
There are many helpful resources for Indigenous Peoples, with a focus on First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities in Canada and Quebec (though some international and U.S. resources are included). The following resources have been gathered by the Cultural and Indigenous Research in Counselling Psychology (CIRC) lab within the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University.
Helpful Resource Lists
University of Toronto Libraries: Indigenous COVID-19 Information and Resources Page: An excellent compilation of Indigenous resources and Indigenous-led responses pertaining to COVID-19, as well as general Indigenous wellness resources: https://guides.library.utoronto.ca/indigenoushealth/covid19
Indigenous Services Canada: “COVID-19: Indigenous Awareness Resources”: List of resources shared by Indigenous Nations/organizations or in Indigenous languages: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1586548069915/1586548087539
Nishnawbe Aski Nation: COVID-19 Response: Long list of Indigenous-specific resources, including fact sheets in Oji-Cree and Ojibway and updates from First Nations across Canada: http://www.nan.on.ca/covid19
Canada/Quebec Resources
Indigenous Services Canada: “COVID-19: First Nations Community Guide on Accessing Additional Supports”: Information on how to request funding and access benefits: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1584819394157/1584819418553
Indigenous Services Canada: COVID-19 video resources: YouTube videos on Indigenous-specific issues, including Indigenous community perspectives: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIFBXBcxaLoXmSAP8cdveHBuZSIsTKtxu
Government of Quebec: “Information for Indigenous communities”: Includes Indigenous-specific resources and key COVID-19 instructions in multiple Indigenous languages (Northern Cree, Atikamekw, Innu, and Inuktitut): https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/indigenous-communities/
Mental Wellness and Social Support Resources
Canadian Red Cross: “COVID-19 Resources for Indigenous Youth”: Hotline, resources, and wellness tips for Indigenous youth: https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/current-emergency-responses/past-emergency-responses/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/resources-for-indigenous-communities/covid-19-resources-for-indigenous-youth
Assembly of First Nations: “Mental Wellness and COVID-19 Tips and Considerations”: https://www.afn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CoronaVirus_Factsheet__RED_ENG.pdf [PDF]
Assembly of First Nations: “COVID-19: Social Supports for First Nations Families”: https://www.afn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CoronaVirus_Factsheet__FS_ENG.pdf [PDF]
Updates from Organizations in Greater Montreal Area
Montreal Indigenous Community NETWORK: “Mobilization in response to COVID-19”: Ways to help vulnerable Indigenous individuals in Montreal: http://reseaumtlnetwork.com/support/
Native Montreal: “COVID-19 Update”: http://www.nativemontreal.com/fr/covid-19-update-mise-a-jour.html
Mohawk Council of Kahnawake: “COVID-19 Related Notices”: http://www.kahnawake.com/
Inuit and Northern Resources
Inuit Tapririt Kanatami : “COVID-19 Supports Available to Urban Inuit Organizations”: https://www.itk.ca/covid19-supports-available-to-urban-organizations/
Inuit Tapririt Kanatami : “Infographics” (English and Inuktitut): https://www.itk.ca/covid19-infographics/
Yukon Government: “Find COVID-19 Counselling and Crisis Support”: https://yukon.ca/en/health-and-wellness/covid-19/find-covid-19-counselling-and-crisis-support
Northwest Territories Health and Social Services: “Mental Health and Social Distancing”: https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/mental-health-and-social-distancing
General Indigenous Mental Health and Social Support Resources
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310. Toll-free support 24/7. Service available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut, English, and French (can also ask about availability in other languages). Online chat available at https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/
Indigenous Services Canada: First Nations and Inuit Mental Health: https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada/services/first-nations-inuit-health/health-promotion/mental-health-wellness.html
McGill First Peoples House: https://mcgill.ca/fph/student-support
International Resources
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs: “COVID-19 and Indigenous Peoples”: Policy briefs and statements from Indigenous Nations and organizations: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/covid-19.html
International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA): “Indigenous Peoples and the Response to COVID-19”: News and updates pertaining to COVID-19 affecting Indigenous Peoples globally: https://www.iwgia.org/en/news-alerts/news-covid-19.html
U.S. Resources
National Indian Health Board: “COVID-19 Tribal Resource Center”: A coordinated effort among American Indian tribes in sharing resources: https://www.nihb.org/resource/urban-indian-health-institute-covid-19-vaccine-education-resources/
Indian Health Service: “Coronavirus (COVID-19)”: Resources, news, and statistics pertaining to American Indians and Alaska Natives and treatment service areas. https://www.ihs.gov/coronavirus/
National Council on Urban Indian Health: “Coronavirus Resource Center”: Resources, news, and fact sheets for American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban areas: https://www.ncuih.org/Coronavirus
Other Resources/Information
Canadian Red Cross: “Emergency Preparedness for Indigenous Communities”: Includes emergency preparedness guides and resources for families and Elders: https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/emergencies-and-disasters-in-canada/be-ready-emergency-preparedness-and-recovery/emergency-preparedness-for-indigenous-communities
National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases: Infectious Questions podcast (Episode 5): “Preparedness in First Nations Communities for COVID-19”: https://nccid.ca/podcast-2019-ncov/#subMenuSection1
McGill Daily Editorial: “Support Indigenous Communities During COVID-19”: https://www.mcgilldaily.com/2020/03/support-indigenous-communities-during-covid-19/
