News
COVID-19 | Chief and Council Update
- Published: March 19 2020 15:10
Chief and Council Update
March 19, 2020
Acadia First Nation Chief and Council has been continually meeting and participating in numerous Conference calls over the last number of days concerning the Covid-19 Pandemic. We have had numerous conference calls with various departments and levels of Government including Indigenous Affairs Canada. Our EMO team have been meeting for many weeks preparing. In fact we have been working on a pandemic response plan for quite some time. Our Health team continues to work diligently to update our members and relay the latest information.
Some of you may have heard our Prime Minister announced yesterday there would be $305 Million set aside for Indigenous Communities to establish a support fund. This fund will be for all First Nations across Canada including Métis and Inuit. At this point we have not been advised how much Acadia First Nation will receive from this fund. We have also not been advised what specifically we will be able to use these funds for. Once we have this information it will be communicated to our members.
We are working on submitting an application for emergency health funding from Indigenous Affairs Canada. This emergency money will be used for a variety things. We will be stocking each community centre with necessary supplies such as cleaning supplies and health related items. Many items have already been ordered and arriving soon. We will also be stocking homemade frozen meals at our community centre. These meals will be made by our restaurants. These supplies and food will be kept at the Community centre. Items will not be distributed at this time but held for emergencies that might arise in the coming weeks. They will be disturbed as needed to our band members should the need arise.
Our Gas stations continue to operate. Our Yarmouth and Medway restaurants are still providing take-out orders. Our gaming operations including Bingo have been suspended. Our staff at all locations are doing a tremendous job and we appreciate all their hard work. Our Fisheries Department continues to operate and our fishing crews will be continuing as long as possible. Our Administration staff will now begin working from home. Thank you to all our dedicated employees.
This is a rapidly evolving situation. Chief and Council are continuously monitoring and assessing the situation. As announced yesterday additional assistance will be provided to some of our most vulnerable members. This includes Elders, Social Assistance recipients, Disability Pension recipients and AFN sponsored students who live in apartments and on their own.
We encourage everyone to stay home if you can. Follow all Public Health recommendations. Check our AFN Website and various Facebook pages for updates and information. Check in and look out for one another especially our Elders and those who at high risk. We will continue to keep you informed throughout these difficult times.
Acadia First Nation
Chief and Council
COVID-19 Update from the AFN Health Director | March 19, 2020
- Published: March 19 2020 14:23
March 19, 2020
COVID-19 UPDATE # 3 (March 19, 2020)
Please see below the most up-to date information regarding COVID-19; COVID-19 testing data
Nova Scotia is testing for COVID-19. Updated 19 March 2020.
| Confirmed Positive | 5 |
| Presumptive Cases | 9 |
* Confirmed cases are those confirmed by the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
** Presumptive cases are those found to have a presumptive positive result from the QEII Health Sciences Centre’s Microbiology Lab and have been sent to the National Microbiology Lab and are awaiting confirmation.
Acadia First Nation Health Centres will be closed as of Thursday, March 19, 2020. Dr. Marais will still be operating his practice under his regular business hours to see his practice patients who ARE NOT experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 in the Yarmouth Health Centre.
Please do NOT enter the Health Centre if you are exhibiting symptoms. If you are unsure of what to do, call Pam and she will advise how to proceed (902)742-7598.
Notices and Closures
- Long-term care facilities are closed to all visitors.
- Public schools will be closed for two weeks following March Break (weeks of March 23 and March 30).
- All licensed childcare providers are required to close (through April 3 inclusive).
- March Break camps are cancelled.
- Casinos in Halifax and Sydney are closed and bar owners can no longer operate VLTs.
- Employers cannot require a doctor’s note if an employee must be off work.
- All service providers funded through the Department of Community Services’ Disability Support Program, including social enterprises, day programs, and supported employment programs for adults with diverse abilities are closed.
- Effectively immediately, there are to be no gatherings of more than 50 people.
Organizations and businesses are required to practise social distancing of two metres (6 feet).
As of Thursday, 19 March:
• restaurants are restricted to take-out and delivery orders only. They can’t open for in-person dining.
• all drinking establishments, winery and distillery tasting rooms and craft taprooms must close (private liquor stores can operate, and craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries can still sell their products from their storefronts).
• personal services, such as hair salons, barber shops, spas, nail salons, and body art establishments must close.
• all fitness establishments, such as gyms, must close.
Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK Health Centre
Nova Scotia Health Authority has restricted visitors and is suspending some elective and non-urgent appointments and services to contain the spread of COVID-19 and conserve resources. Read more on the NSHA website.
IWK Health Centre has restricted visitors and is suspending all non-urgent appointments and services. Urgent and emergency appointments and services are continuing. Read more on the IWK website.
Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Nation Cancer Care Strategy.
- All chemotherapy/radiation treatments will continue, unless told otherwise by the patient's oncology team.
- All other appointments will be moved to telehealth, when possible.
- Cancer screening appointments (i.e., CAT scans, PET scans, etc.) will now be made on a case-by-case basis. If you are a Mi’kmaw cancer patient, and have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact any of us:
- Aaron Prosper: ; Phone #: 902-322-3240
- Chelsea Googoo: ; Phone #: 782-777-0095
- Dylan Letendre: ; Phone #: 782-777-0104
- Karlee Francis: ; Phone #: 782-777-0097
NADACA
Kolby Blair(NADACA prevention worker) will be working from home until further notice.If you need to reach her during business hours (8am-5pm, Monday-Friday) you can text/call 902-815-6010.
Please note the NS mental health crises line is available 24/7 Toll Free1-888-429-8167.
As always, you are encouraged to:
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer; avoid hand shakes; wash your hands before and after preparing food; wash hands after handling waste
• Cough or sneeze into your inner elbow or a tissue (throw tissue away)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Wash and sanitize surfaces like taps, doorknobs, light switches, toilets, and countertops daily
• Sanitize remote controls, cell phones, phones, and other hand-held devices
• Avoid close contact – stay 6 feet apart (2 meters); avoid crowds; shop during off-peak hours
Please feel free to contact myself at anytime with questions and/or concerns you may have around COVID-19 and how to keep yourself and loved ones safe. Watch for regualr updates from myself which will be posted to our AFN website as this situation is rapidly changing,
Marla Robinson-Pyne
Health Director Acadia First Nation
Cell Phone: (902)740-7089
Contact Information During Office Closure
- Published: March 19 2020 13:23
If you require assistance from any of the below departments, please use the following contact information:
Chief and Council:
https://acadiafirstnation.ca/chief-council-contact-us.html
Band Manager:
Housing:
Fisheries:
Employment:
Education:
Finance:
Health:
Retail Inventory:
IT/Communications:
COVID-19 Update from the AFN Health Director
- Published: March 18 2020 16:23
March 18, 2020
COVID-19 UPDATE (March 18, 2020)
The COVID-19 virus is now in Nova Scotia. We will work with Nova Scotia Public Health to prepare and respond to the virus. There are no vaccines for COVID-19. It is important to remember that most people who get the virus will have mild or moderate symptoms and will not require hospitalization. Good hygiene remains the best defence. Social distancing of 6 feet (2 metres) is also very important.
You are encouraged to:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer; avoid hand shakes; wash your hands before and after preparing food; wash hands after handling waste
- Cough or sneeze into your inner elbow or a tissue (throw tissue away)
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid sharing items that may have saliva on them like utensils and bottles/glasses
- Wash and sanitize surfaces like taps, doorknobs, light switches, toilets, and countertops daily
- Sanitize remote controls, cell phones, phones, and other hand-held devices
- Avoid close contact – stay 6 feet apart (2 meters); avoid crowds; shop during off-peak hours
- Limit contact with others if you feel sick
Travel-related:
- You must self-isolate (stay home) for 14 days after returning from travel outside of Canada and monitor your health for symptoms of COVID-19; limit your contact with the elderly, those with compromised immune systems (e.g. cancer treatments), and those with chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and COPD
- You must self-isolate (stay home) for 14 days if you have been in close contact (within 2 metres/6 feet) with someone with confirmed COVID-19, or someone with symptoms who has recently returned to Canada and monitor your health for symptoms of COVID-19; limit your contact with the elderly, those with compromised immune systems (e.g. cancer treatments), and those with chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and COPD
Symptoms of COVID-19:
- Fever above 38°C (100.4°F) or higher
- New cough (or one that gets worse)
- Difficulty breathing
If you feel unwell:
- And develop a new cough or fever (above 38°C or 100.4°F) within 14 days of returning from travel outside of Canada or have been in close contact with someone who has travelled or has confirmed COVID-19, immediately self-isolate (stay home) and complete the questionnaire at https://when-to-call-about-covid19.novascotia.ca/en before calling 811 to find out if you need testing for COVID-19.
- Do not go to a COVID-19 assessment site unless 811 asks you to go there.
- Do not come to the AFN Health Centre if you have a fever or new cough
- Avoid close contact with older people, or those with chronic conditions and compromised immune systems.
- Avoid having visitors to your home.
- Avoid crowds and standing in line.
- Avoid public transit like buses and taxis.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer.
- Cover your nose and mouth with your arm when sneezing or coughing.
For more information on COVID-19, including how to self-isolate, visit canada.ca/coronavirus or novascotia.ca/coronavirus. Or call the Government of Canada’s toll-free information line at 1-833-784-4397. If you feel anxious about COVID-19 and need to talk with someone, call the toll-free Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-888-429-8167.
Marla Robinson-Pyne
Health Director, Acadia First Nation
Yarmouth Health Centre
15234 Hwy 3
Yarmouth NS
B5A4A8
Phone: (902)742-4337
Fax: (902)742-4824
Notice from Acadia FN Chief and Council
- Published: March 18 2020 11:20
Notice
On Monday March 16 Council met with EMO to address Pandemic planning in our communities.
Council approved additional funding supports for all Elders and Social assistance recipients. Councillors have been contacting every elder personally to check in with them and notify them of this support. Elders are being advised to stay home and have others pick up supplies for them. In cases where they do not have family to pick up supplies they should contact their council members. Councillors have already offered to assist Elders pick up supplies when needed.
Due to confidentiality our social recipients will be contacted directly by our Social support staff. Only our Social Admin staff have access to this list.
We will also be providing extra assistance to our students who are not living at home. They will be contacted directly.
- Acadia FN Chief & Council
Pandemic Planning | AFN | Public Website Update | 03/17/2020
- Published: March 17 2020 09:48
Pandemic Planning
Acadia First Nation
Public Website Update
March 16, 2020
The leadership of Acadia First Nation has been working diligently to identify what is deemed to be in the best interest on Acadia Band members and their employees. Direction to band members must remain consistent with the message being passed on through the Nova Scotia Regional Health Authority and the Government of Canada. In reference to the latest updates the following has been decided by Chief and Council in consultation with AFN business managers and Emergency Planning personnel.
- Acadia First Nation Administration Staff
The administration staff in the various offices throughout the six Acadia First nation Communities will work in their respective offices until March 19th, 2020. The offices are closed to the public at the present time and will remain closed until further notice.
The Administration staff will continue to work for Acadia First Nation but from home starting on March 23rd and continue through to April 3rd, 2020. At this time further decisions will be made by Chief and Council based on the ongoing updates provided through the provincial and federal governments - Store Operations
The following has been decided by Chief and Council in consultation with Store Managers.- Gold Nugget / Gold Bean
- The Gold Nugget has closed access to its Gaming Centers in Gold River and all other AFN operated gaming centers until further notice.
- The store has closed access to its convenience store however all items including tobacco and gas can be accessed through the drive through window located onsite.
- The Gold Bean restaurant will be closed until further Notice.
- The Gold Nugget new store hours will be from 6 am to 10 pm
- Winners World / Winner One Stop
- The Winners World will close access to its convenience store as of Wednesday March 17th at 6 am.
- The Winners Onestop will close its restaurant to the public but remain open for Take Out orders while providing support for convenience store items.
- The Winners World gaming centers will remain closed until further notice
- The new hours for the Winners World are 6 am to 10 pm
- The new Winners Onestop hours will be from 11 am to 7 pm.
- All Convenience store requests for tobacco and food will be requested and paid for through the drive through window.
- The Hammonds Plains Entertainment Center
- The Hammonds Plains gaming center will remain closed until further notice
- The new store hours will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 am to 8 pm
- The front door to the convenience location will be closed from March 18 until further notice
- Any convenience store requests or tobacco requests will be conducted through the drive-in window
- The Medway Store
- The Medway store will remain open during its regular store hours
- The Medway staff will work to assist patrons where possible to limit entry into the convenience store as much as possible. The Medway Store does not have a drive through window but provides local band members with a number of required items. This will be monitored on a day to day basis.
- The Bingo Hall/ Entertainment Centre - Yarmouth
- All Bingo has been cancelled until further notice
- All gaming has been cancelled until further notice
- The quota / retail tobacco sales will follow new store hours. Store hours will be Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 10 am to 6 pm.
- The AFN Youth Center
- The Youth Center is closed until further notice
- Rental of AFN Space for Gathering
- All community centers are closed for coordinated gatherings until further notice. No planned gatherings until further notice
- Gold Nugget / Gold Bean
Other Points of Interest:
- For questions on the treatment of this illness please stay tuned to the news feeds both on TV as well as updated provided online through the Nova Scotia Health Authority. If you have questions for our health department , the Health Director can be contacted at
- All on and off reserve requests will be halted for the foreseeable future. Carpentry staff will be used only on call out emergent purposes.
Thank you again for all your understanding in this challenging period of time. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated
Sincerely,
Lloyd Mac Dougall
Band manager
Acadia First Nation