News
Weekly Health Update #6 with AFN Community Health Nurse
- Published: May 12 2020 15:59
Hi Everyone,
What a beautiful day it was yesterday! I hope you were able to get out in the sun and soak up some much-needed vitamin D to help boost your mood and energy!
As I’m sure most of you are aware, the announcement was made Friday that students will not be returning to school for the remainder of the 2019-2020 year. Students will receive another workbook/assignment and the school year will officially end June 5th. While this may not come as a surprise to many, the official announcement may be difficult to process, or accept. Covid-19 has really impacted our lives, and it can feel like a grieving process for both you and your kids, losing the rest of the school year.
I want to say to the graduates of 2020, I know that you are not getting the end of high school that you expected and worked so hard for. You have still accomplished so much, please be proud of that, and there will be other ways to celebrate moving forward. To the parents who now know that your children will be home until at least September, I know it can be overwhelming and difficult. To all parents and caregivers, who are there day in and day out, with no “break” and limited places to go, because of COVID-19, hang in there. Everyone, including the kids, are doing the best they can. Be kind to yourself.
This week we will be launching a “Get Up and Move” contest, so stay tuned on the ‘AFN Community Health Facebook’ page, or the AFN website. We will also be starting weekly draws on “WFD - What’s For Dinner?” posts. We want to hear from the community on how you are moving and what you’re cooking!
If there is a topic you’d like to see more about, such as nutrition, physical activity during isolation, coping strategies, child and youth health, etc. Please let me know and I can look into helping you as well as the community!
Stay safe and wash your hands,
Chelsea Sawyer
Community Health Nurse
O: 902-627-1245
C: 902-277-2297
Best links to get information
Please see our Facebook page: AFN Community Health and answer the joining questions for access. Frequent updates, resources, and links will be posted there
Nova Scotia Government: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
Nova Scotia Health Authority: http://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
WHO advising on pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-on-covid-19-pregnancy-childbirth-and-breastfeeding
Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line: call 24/7 1-888-429-8167
Kids Help Phone: call 24/7 1-800-668-6868
text CONNECT to 686868
or chat online on their website
Disinfecting and Sanitizing Tips from AFN Community Health Nurse
- Published: May 07 2020 09:41
Disinfecting and Sanitizing
*WARNING: PLEASE DO NOT COMBINE CLEANERS. FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTURCTIONS CAREFULLY*
Currently there is a shortage on ready-made disinfectants, household cleaners, and hand sanitizer in stores, and you may find you’re starting to run out of products at home. Below is some information on continuing to keep safe with limited amounts of ready-made products
Hand Sanitizer
When thinking hand hygiene, best practice is to wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds whenever possible. This means save your 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizers (approved by Health Canada; a full list can be found using the link below) for when hand washing isn’t available, such as in your car after grocery shopping or getting gas. The more you are able to stay home, the less hand sanitizer you will need. Supervise young children when preforming hand hygiene, to make sure they are using proper technique, as well as not using too much product or ingesting products.
Health Canada has issued a notice not to use any homemade hand sanitizers; including those made with alcohol, witch hazel, or essential oils. Even from trustworthy sites, such as the recipe on the WHO website, which is meant for licensed producers manufacturing in a controlled environment.
Household Cleaning
While many products such as Lysol, Clorox, or other disinfecting products may be harder to come by, bleach is a fairly inexpensive, and a readily available product and can easily be mixed to use for daily disinfecting. Wear gloves to protect skin when handling cleaning products, and open doors and windows, to allow fresh air in. Always follow the label of ready-made products you are using, or mix a new batch of bleach solution every day. Wash surfaces with hot soapy water, and follow with disinfecting product or bleach solution on high traffic areas such as:
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When cleaning hand held electronics such as phones, tablets, and gaming devices, consider using a protective cover that is easily wiped. Follow manufacturers instruction for cleaning and disinfecting. If no instructions are available, use 70% alcohol or wipes, and dry surface well.
These products are ONLY meant to be used to clean household surfaces, never use on skin or internally, as it can cause serious harm.
Taken from Health Canada Website:
Use bleach in a well-ventilated area and never mix with other chemical products.
To prepare diluted bleach for a solution to disinfect high-touch hard surfaces, do so according to instructions on the label or in a ratio* of:
- 250 mL (1 cup) of water per 5 mL (1 teaspoon) unscented household bleach, or
- 1 litre of water (4 cups) per 20 mL (4 teaspoons) unscented household bleach
* assuming bleach is 5 % sodium hypochlorite, to give a 0.1 % sodium hypochlorite solution
References:
Nova Scotia government: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/staying-healthy/#clean
Health Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/disinfectants/covid-19.html
Recall Homemade Hand Sanitizer: https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2020/72687a-eng.php
Approved Hand Sanitizer List: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/disinfectants/covid-19/hand-sanitizer.html
Weekly Health Update # 5 With AFN Community Health Nurse
- Published: May 05 2020 15:09
Hi Everyone,
Week 8 and we’re seeing some light at the end of this tunnel! I hope you were able to enjoy some of the new lifted restrictions! You can find the list of things that are newly reopened at: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20200501006. Keep in mind, We MUST still practice social distancing, keep activity within household units, and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene. A lot of people are feeling done with this, and frustration may be growing, but following the orders of Dr. Strang will allow us to lift restrictions in the quickest way possible, so please, hang in there!
Please continue to reach out. Being limited in where you can go, and who you can see is really hard. Use video chatting, texting, call, or send letters! Kids can make crafts and pictures and mail to friends and family. Spread some kindness. As always, all the resources lines are listed at the bottom.
Getting topic posts done is going a little slower than I would like, so I will be working hard tomorrow to get a physical activity, as well as a work from home, post up on the Facebook page. If there is a topic you’d like to see more about, such as nutrition, physical activity during isolation, coping strategies, child and youth health, etc. Please let me know and I can look into helping you as well as the community!
Stay safe and wash your hands,
Chelsea Sawyer
Community Health Nurse
O: 902-627-1245
C: 902-277-2297
Best links to get information
Please see our Facebook page: AFN Community Health and answer the joining questions for access. Frequent updates, resources, and links will be posted there
Nova Scotia Government: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
Nova Scotia Health Authority: http://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
WHO advising on pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-on-covid-19-pregnancy-childbirth-and-breastfeeding
Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line: call 24/7 1-888-429-8167
Kids Help Phone: call 24/7 1-800-668-6868
text CONNECT to 686868
or chat online on their website
Wasoqopa'q First Nation | Grass Clearing Tenders | 2020
- Published: May 05 2020 14:37
Wasoqopa'q First Nation is seeking persons interested in bidding on grass clearing tenders for the various communities. The applicants must have:
- All tools and essentials required to mow grass, whipper snip around community homes and buildings as well as remove and clear garbage and grass from the sites being cleaned
- The ability to transport your equipment to and from the various sites.
- Must be energetic and willing to work long hours
The areas requiring grass clearing are as follows:
- Yarmouth Reserve
- Gold River Reserve
- Medway River Reserve
- Ponhook Lake Reserve
- Hammonds Plains Reserve
In order to obtain all required information on these tenders please email Lloyd Mac Dougall at .
The Tender officially closes on May 16th at 12 noon. Late applicants will not be considered.
Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative | Youth Engagement | Child Welfare Reform and Mi'kmaw Governance
- Published: May 05 2020 11:33
We are requesting youth from Wasoqopa'q First Nation to participate in Video Conference meetings over the next couple weeks and months as we engage youth from all 13 NS Mi'kmaw communities on Child Welfare Reform and Mi'kmaw Governance.
Our hope is to host meetings with youth (age 14-18) and engage them on issues relevant to the Mi'kmaw Nation so that the voice of our youth is not lost as we move forward together. Please let me know the names and contact info of up to 10 youth that could participate in these calls so that I could forward all the necessary information.
If I could receive names and contact info of youth from your community in the next day or two that would help us extremely as begin these engagements.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Wela'lin,
Storm Gould, B.Comm
Administrative Support - Governance
Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office
Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative
75 Treaty Trail
Truro, NS B6L 1W3
Phone: 902.379.2209
Cell: 902.304.9227
Fax: 902-379-2186
Acadia First Nation Scholarship Program 2020
- Published: May 04 2020 14:12
Acadia First Nation awards four $1000.00 Grade 12 scholarships annually.
Students are required to meet these criteria to be eligible for consideration:
- Must be a member of Acadia First Nation.
- Must be graduating Grade 12 and continuing on to further studies in September 2020.
- Must submit a transcript of 1st semester high school marks.
- Must submit an acceptance letter from the post secondary institution you are planning on attending.
- Must be a positive role model. (Submit a brief essay outlining your involvement in both school and community).
Deadline for applications is June 10, 2020
Acadia First Nation Post Secondary Educational Assistance Program 2020
Post Secondary Educational Assistance program packages are now available for band members considering post secondary studies in September 2020.
Deadline for applications is June 15, 2020
For a scholarship application or a post secondary information package or if you have any questions, please contact Janice Francis, AFN Education Director via email: