The federal government has set aside $100 million for Indigenous people to help them deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
That’s according to Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde who met with the Prime Minister Monday.
In terms of immediate action, Bellegarde says he was clear on needs and expectations.
“First and foremost, First Nations require a specific strategy and focus that reflects our unique needs and circumstances,” he said.
Bellegarde adds there are 96 remote fly-in First Nation communities across Canada.
“We need a distinctions-based approach and the Prime Minister agreed. We know that the $100 million may not be adequate based on needs and circumstances,” Bellegarde said. “The Prime Minister stated that amount can be expanded as required.”
Federal officials said First Nations should continue to use normal regional channels to access resources from departments like First Nations and Inuit Health Branches and if there are any issues the federal Minister of Indigenous Service’s office can be contacted directly.
Meanwhile, NWT Premier Caroline Cochrane reportedly says that the 600 thousand dollars the feds will give the territory to fight coronavirus is not enough.
