" — Canada has dispatched nurses to a remote northern indigenous community hit hard by the coronavirus to conduct testing and provide healthcare support, the local leader said on Tuesday." #IndigenousStories

“Representatives of the indigenous peoples of the North who are engaged in traditional types of economic activity need educational programs in the field of entrepreneurship…It was held in an online format and was devoted to the problems of the economic activities of the indigenous peoples of the North in their territories of residence and traditional nature management. It is necessary to move away from understanding traditional forms of economic activity as archaic…It is important to understand that areas such as reindeer herding use both modern technology and the export of goods, the expert said. At the meeting, representatives of the Arctic and subarctic regions identified problems and contradictions in the legislation that regulates traditional nature management…People who traditionally live in these territories most often do not have the means to compete with investors from other regions of Russia, who can also participate in the auction. It would be more appropriate to provide land on a competitive basis, supported by Zhanna Holm, deputy head of the Agency for the Development of the Northern Territories and Support of Indigenous Minorities of the Krasnoyarsk Territory…” #IndigenousStories

"“Reindeer used to be the main means of transportation for the Ewenki ethnic group. In modern society, however, many hunters still maintain the tradition of raising reindeer and use their ways to protect the creature. Damara, a local hunter, has seen the birth of several fawns since April. As many first-time mothers cannot take care of their fawns and might even abandon them, local hunters will help nurse the babies during the two-month long calving season…Statistics showed that over 1,400 reindeer live in the northern areas of the Greater Hinggan Mountains. In Aoluguya, there are 13 breeding spots. During the calving season, Ewenki herders also enhance patrols in the forests to guarantee the safety of these creatures. The township has seen the expansion of the reindeer population in recent years, as the local government has taken actions to protect breeding and also worked with an agricultural institution to improve survival. More than 180 reindeer are expected to be born during this calving season, according to local government.”" #IndigenousStories

"Allaiha residents are sympathetic to anti-epidemic measures taken by authorities at all levels in the republic. About how you can decorate your life in conditions of self-isolation - on the example of two women from the village of Chokurdakh." #IndigenousStories

"Indigenous communities of the North of the Aldan region are concerned about the news that as a result of an auction initiated by the Ministry of Ecology, Nature Management and Forestry of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), forest cutting agreements with a total volume of 231,943 hectares of Angara and “Angara” logging enterprises and “ Wundlen 24 ”with a long-term lease for a period of 46 years." #IndigenousStories

"Ulchi, Nani - Indigenous peoples in the Khabarovsk Territory - trying to reach the governor in an attempt to pay special attention to the situation with coronavirus. Indifference may result in the extermination of Indigenous peoples." #IndigenousStories

Sam McClellan updates the community on such things as upcoming events, such as a Day of Prayer and Mother’s Day. He also announces how no one in the tribe has been infected by COVID-19, but precautions are still being taken. #IndigenousStories

"An Indigenous music festival that would have taken place in Toronto during the month of July will be available online everywhere over the May long weekend in Canada." #IndigenousStories

"To respond to the crisis, Navajo & Hopi Families COVID Relief formed a network of collaboration between all kinds of actors." #IndigenousStories

"Indigenous people across the Americas are trying to defend their communities from the pandemic. But for many, isolation can quickly turn into deprivation." #IndigenousStories

The song "Victory Day" was first performed in Yakut language. #IndigenousStories

“At this difficult time, not only for our country, but for the whole world, I ask you to treat with understanding the requirements and recommendations of the district and republican operational headquarters for measures aimed at preventing the import and spread of coronavirus infection COVID-19! An enemy came to us, invisible and treacherous. He did not come with a machine gun in his hands or with tanks. It is invisible, and can only be transmitted through people. They may be our relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbors. Therefore, I ask you to remain primarily a HUMAN! With understanding to treat this or that situation and to those people who involuntarily appeared in it… Head of the Republic A.S. Nikolaev declared this year the Year of Patriotism. So let's unite our efforts, unite ourselves around our leader and repulse the enemy, as our ancestors did 75 years ago!” #IndigenousStories

“This year, due to restrictive measures related to the prevention of the spread of coronavirus infection, the Day of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in the Neryungri district is held online….The head of the district, Viktor Stanilovsky, chairman of the Assembly of Peoples of Yakutia Andrei Fitisov and chairmen of national communities congratulated the whole republic with a festive video clip, which is distributed in all popular social networks. On April 27, in the village of Hani, an online drawing contest ‘The Land of the Native’. Students and teachers of the local art school on a festive day became spectators of a virtual festive concert dedicated to the Republic Day ‘Shine and be glorified forever, my Yakutia!’ And the pupils of the theater and aesthetic departments take part in a media lesson on the history of the republic.” #IndigenousStories

“Over the past 24 hours, 4 new cases of coronavirus infection have been detected in the Khangalassky district . Over the entire period, COVID-19 was diagnosed in 8 people, according to the operational headquarters of the republic. New cases of coronavirus in the Khangalassky district are associated with an ophthalmic hospital. After the coronavirus was discovered in the clinic, a resident of the Khangalassky district, who had previously been treated in this clinic, was placed in the observatory….The headquarters has established over 100 contacts. Of these, 93 people were in contact with the first cases, 9 people - with a patient in an ophthalmological hospital….As the head of the district noted, among the contact persons there are also those who met with a resident of the city of Yakutsk, who later confirmed COVID-19. Despite the order of Rospotrebnadzor to observe the regime of self-isolation, the townspeople went to his relatives in the village of Ulakhan-An of the Khangalassky region for hunting, after which he returned to the capital of the republic. Here he was informed of the positive results of the analysis. Today, the local resident, with whom the sick man was hunting, is placed in the observatory, the remaining 4 people are on self-isolation at the place of residence.” #IndigenousStories

“This year, due to restrictive measures related to the prevention of the spread of coronavirus infection, the Day of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in the Neryungri district is held online….The head of the district, Viktor Stanilovsky, chairman of the Assembly of Peoples of Yakutia Andrei Fitisov and chairmen of national communities congratulated the whole republic with a festive video clip, which is distributed in all popular social networks. On April 27, in the village of Hani, an online drawing contest ‘The Land of the Native’. Students and teachers of the local art school on a festive day became spectators of a virtual festive concert dedicated to the Republic Day ‘Shine and be glorified forever, my Yakutia!’ And the pupils of the theater and aesthetic departments take part in a media lesson on the history of the republic.” #IndigenousStories

“The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) is urging First Nations across the province to keep communities closed as officials expect a spike in COVID-19 cases over the weekend and the rest of May. The COO, which represents 133 First Nations in Ontario, says higher rates of testing is showing more positive tests for the virus that has ravished parts of the province – especially in long term care facilities. ‘These spikes will happen Mother’s Day and they will again happen on the long weekend, the May long weekend,’ said Assembly of First Nations Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald. ‘Two weeks after that you’ll see another spike in cases increasing in Ontario.’” #IndigenousStories

A family in Manawan says they received the wrong results about their infant’s test for the novel coronavirus, which caused the family and village community great hardship. #IndigenousStories

“‘There was no plan, no supports, no programs, no supply chain, nothing, because both governments are saying, ‘No, it’s not my jurisdiction. It’s yours.’,’ Metis National Council (MNC) spokesperson David Chartrand told the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN), which met virtually to discuss the pandemic’s impact on Indigenous communities.‘Both are still blaming each other, and [COVID-19’s] still creeping into the next villages now because families are taking it to the next villages not realizing they’re carrying it.’” #IndigenousStories

“Unlike state and local governments which predominately use tax dollars to operate, Native Sovereign Nations rely on revenue from business ventures to fund critical services and programs for their citizens including healthcare, housing, education, family services, financial support, elder care, police, courts and more. We have a 10-county service area and also provide medical care to other Native Americans that seek our services. Including our Four Winds Casino locations and Tribal Government, we one of the largest employers in Michiana employing over 3,000 people and we support hundreds of area and local businesses. Without revenue, we lose our ability to serve the individuals that rely on us for these important services as well as employment. Unfortunately, with our casinos closed indefinitely, we are forced to make some difficult decisions.” #IndigenousStories

“I’m taking this action as a proactive measure to minimize exposure and to keep our citizens and community safe.” #IndigenousStories

“This week hundreds of Indigenous students from across the country would have been taking to a stage in Toronto for a special dance performance. But like just about every other event these days – it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That didn’t stop organizers from Outside Looking In from putting on a once in a lifetime show.” #IndigenousStories

“The resiliency has been passed down to further generations, so we are able to survive these times of struggle.”

“ICC’s Circumpolar Inuit Health Steering Committee (CIHSC), composed of representatives from the four countries met last week via teleconference and discussed the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee notes that high rates of overcrowding and insufficient housing have already proven worrisome with the elevated respiratory conditions faced by many in our communities. Coupled with the high rates of food insecurity experienced by many, our concerns are real and complex. The gaps in accessible medical services are also a very real and an even more pressing concern. If not addressed, they will contribute to increased risk of infection and potential loss of lives. While those outside of the Arctic are simply turning to technology for work and otherwise, access and availability to basic and affordable broadband across much of Inuit Nunaat, especially during this time of a global pandemic, has created an unfortunate and stark disparity. Connectivity is essential. These disparities have been seen to have adverse effects in other populations and have shown to increase the rates of COVID-19.”

"As the world community initiates response to increasing number of coronavirus outbreaks, ICC expresses concern about how our rural, remote communities are potentially at much higher risk and exposure to such epidemics due to the chronic lack of basic infrastructure, including lack of sewer and running water in many of our communities."

“Now, past suffering of Alaska’s native people is shaping emergency actions that aim to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. In tiny villages and across the sprawling North Slope Borough, authorities acted early to enact some of the nation’s toughest travel limits. The borough, for example, barred entry to its eight communities for everyone but individuals with special waivers. There is a practical reason for the restriction—the limits of local health facilities—but history also plays a role.”

"Several Native American tribes sued the federal government Friday, seeking to keep federal coronavirus relief for tribes out of the hands of for-profit Alaska Native corporations."

South Dakota governor threatens tribe with legal action unless they remove reservation checkpoints. Cheyenne River Sioux chairman responded with a press release, citing that it is a sovereign right of the tribe to protect it's people and "We will not apologize for being an island of safety in a sea of uncertainty and death."

With the Navajo Nation in crisis, much needed supplies--from diapers to bottled water--are collected by urban Indian center and delivered to the reservation.

“With North Carolina starting to ease restrictions, Harrah’s has announced it too will begin with its first phase of reopening. In a press release, the company said that extensive health and safety precautions will be in place.”

“Under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program, emergency work, including Direct Federal Assistance, is authorized at 75 percent federal funding, leaving Indian Tribal governments responsible for the remaining 25 percent. Maintaining this cost share during the COVID-19 pandemic – as Tribal economies and health systems struggle – places severe pressure on Tribal budgets and limits critical resources that are desperately needed to protect the public health of Native communities. The Tribal COVID-19 Disaster Assistance Cost Share Relief Act would waive the cost-sharing requirement and grant 100 percent funding for all Indian Tribal governments.”

“Instead of being thrown by such an unorthodox teaching situation, Julissa Garcia and others at the school have gotten very creative. ‘One particular highlight was Soboba Spirit Week while quarantined,’ she said. ‘Each dress-up day was dedicated to the various people in our communities who are affected by COVID-19.” One of the first dress-up days was to honor the elders who had been struggling. “Julissa dressed up as an elder and made a video of circle time as Mrs. Doubtfire. She is such a team player.”

“The outbreak on the huge Navajo reservation, the nation's largest with 175,000 people, have made people in Gallup nervous. Many see hints of the long-running racism that has divided people in the town for centuries. ‘They targeted the people around here. They're going to be coming to Gallup to shop, so they put a stop to that,’ said Johnnie Henry, who said two of his relatives on the Navajo Nation were apparently infected with COVID-19 while working at a hospital in Gallup. ‘We kind of look at each other and say, are we the ones bringing it? No, it's all over. There's a lot of people who want to go back into Gallup, but they're afraid that they're going to call us names ... say that we are the carriers.’”

“KUYI Hopi Public Radio reported that the Hopi Tribe held a digital town hall with Hopi Health Care and Indian Health Service officials where they said out of the 39 positive test results from Hopi Health Care Center, more than 20 were confirmed cases of Hopi Tribal members…As of April 27, the confirmed positive cases on the Navajo Nation reached 1,769. Fifty-nine people have died, one of whom was former Miss Western Navajo Nation 2015-2016 Valentina Blackhorse, who was from Kayenta, Arizona.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic poses a great danger to humanity, including the indigenous peoples of Africa. If the spread of the virus is not urgently arrested and is allowed to infect African indigenous communities, the virus may decimate our member communities. Africa’s Indigenous Peoples are extremely vulnerable to the dreaded virus, owing to a lack of essential resources such as clean water, food, housing, medical supplies and even basic information.” IPACC is a network of 135 Indigenous peoples' organizations in 21 African countries.

Explains the measures that have been taken to protect tribal citizens "from this deadly virus," including adjustments made to funeral services. "Let's choose faith over fear."

Tribal Chairman Anthony Roberts on the State of Emergency, COVID-19, and securing the Nation's long-term welfare. "We took these steps because it was the right thing to do."

Lab expansion provides new opportunity to offer blood tests to both Native and non-Native patients with a 99.1% accuracy rate.

“The emergency communications system is only one of the ways the Nation is informing its citizens. We are also using our Facebook page, news media and the website to keep everyone up to date.”

“The Little River Health Service Center continues to maintain extreme cleanliness and sterilization throughout the clinic. The examination rooms and public spaces are maintained continuously throughout the day and evenings. We have implemented several devices to help filter and circulate the air space…Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding during this unusual time. Please continue to stay healthy. We will be fine. This will resolve. During this time, remember your loved ones both current and past. Care for one another and give support where it’s needed. Be conscious of your personal hygiene and continue to eat well, sleep well, and be well everyone! Bless you all and continue to remain strong!”

“Out of an abundance of caution and the Stay at Home order issued by the Governor of California due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Susanville Indian Rancheria Powwow Committee has decided to tentatively reschedule the 2020 Powwow originally scheduled for May 29, 30, 31, 2020 in Susanville, California to August 21, 22, 23, 2020…We are hopeful that the Stay at home order is lifted by August and we can gather together to Honor our Elders and Veterans.”

"For any senior or diabetic Native Way user who would like to exercise at home during the COVID-19 closure, we have therabands and body bars along with instruction sheets that may be borrowed." #IndigenousStories

Finding balance between the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health to remain healthy during the pandemic.

Indian Health Services offers prescription delivery and other services to elders and tribal members with special needs.

“With the doors closed at the Ojibwa Senior Citizens’ Building, on the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Reservation in Baraga, Michigan, the delivery list got much larger. Dianne McMahon, Elderly Nutrition Director, said, ‘We now have an additional 100-plus deliveries since the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Council closed the doors here at the Ojibwa Senior Center due to COVID-19. With this additional load of transporting meals to the homes of the Tribe’s elderly and disabled, we needed more help!’”

“Unfortunately, as the pandemic continues, it is apparent that the Casino will NOT OPEN in early April as initially planned. By order of the Tribal Council the Island Resort and Casino will remain closed until further notice…Our highest concern is to continue to provide services to our tribal membership and to continue processing payroll to all our employees.”

"We recognize that we are living in stressful times." Weekly Zoom meetings brings tribal citizens together during shelter in place order. Advertised topics: Stress, Youth Issues, and Adapting to Change.

“Emergency Assistance is now available to assist Tribal Member families who have had a loss of income due to lay-off, reduced hours, or other reasons, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and are having trouble paying their rent or mortgage. For eligible households, up to $750 is available to help pay your rent or mortgage for the month of May 2020.”

Announcement on changes to tribal business operations during quarantine. “We recognize this will have an impact on our workers and this was a difficult decision,” said Bryan Newland, Bay Mills tribal chairman. “Despite the economic impact, we must consider the health of our employees and the public’s health during this time.”

“Pursuant to the Tribe’s March 17, 2020 State of Emergency Declaration and consistent with Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-21: temporary requirement to suspend activities that are not required to sustain or protect life, the Tribal Council has taken steps to protect the health, safety and welfare of Tribal Members, employees and guests by establishing a critical infrastructure list of Tribal employees and modifying the critical infrastructure list for Casino employees, modifying business hours and closing all Tribal Government Buildings to the public. Tribal leadership will continue to work hard to meet the needs of each Tribal Member during these difficult times.”

“Yocha Dehe respectfully submits Congress directed a different approach in the delivery of funding to tribal governments…A funding formula that rests on population and land base would leave out California tribes, which tend to be smaller with fewer federal land holdings, but whose economies are large, and which are now crushed by the pandemic…tribal economies have little to do with population and land size, and as the data confirms, California’s tribal economies are larger than those in any other state.”