Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs declare a State of Emergency Special

After news reports came out earlier this week criticizing the government about some hang-ups in getting supplies to the northern Manitoba reserves that have been hard hit by Swine Flu, Manitoba First Nation leaders have declared a state of emergency.

The Chiefs told a press conference yesterday that they are still short on supplies, and the flu is still spreading on the reserves. Manitoba Health said that they had confirmed more cases of Swine Flu in the past week, with a total of 458 people who have tested positive. Reached by email earlier today, Charmagne Legault, Communications Writer at the Assembly of Manitoba Chief said that over one-quarter of the 458 cases are from remote northern communities. Statistics kept by the Assembly show that half of the confirmed cases are in First Nations victims. The statistics provided further state that

"First Nations represent only 10% of Manitoba’s population but are experiencing H1N1 at a rate of approximately twice the general population. Media has reported that more than 2/3 of patients on respirator are of aboriginal (First Nation, Metis or Inuit) descent. H1N1 especially attacks the younger population. 62 per cent of Manitoba’s First Nation population is under 25 years of age."

Grand Chief, Ron Evans said in a press release sent out June 24th from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs that there had been a four-week delay in getting medical supplies into the northern reserves. He blamed the delay for the "daily accelerated tally of sick people." Grand Chief Evans noted that Manitoba hog farmers affected by the negative response to the name 'Swine Flu' were given $37.7 million, saying that First Nations people were "relieved" that hog farmers were getting this assistance. The press release goes on to say

"But as leaders of a vulnerable population living in Third World conditions, First Nations deserve no less attention."

The press release was critical of the federal government resopnse to the outbreak in Manitoba, saying

"when the World Health Organization declared the H1N1 outbreak a pandemic, Canadian health officials should have sprung into action in helping to battle the epidemic occurring on the northern First Nations reserves in Manitoba."

Grand Chief Evans further said that the slow response is

"a political and bureaucratic nightmare."

In an email from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs received today, Grand Chief Ron Evans praised the Manitoba government for its actions over the past month.

"The Manitoba government has been excellent at responding to this crisis. Our issue is with jurisdictional infighting at the federal level."

Earlier this month, Chiefs from the affected reserves had said that the outbreak and slow response to assist the reserves was "a pending atrocity." Details about the ongoing outbreak affecting the northern communities have been released to the public since the nature of the outbreak became known. In early June, prior to the WHO declaring a pandemic, some parents in Northern Manitoba had complained of inadequate medical treatment for their sick children, who later had to be airlifted out to hospitals. The significance of a declaration of a State of Emergency is twofold, according to an email received earlier today from Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. The first purpose is to have all the communities back the Assembly. The second purpose is to

"get government to take First Nations emergencies seriously."

According to an email interview today, Manitoba's First Nations are asking that

"...normal government functions may be suspended, citizens will be alerted and emergency plans must be implemented, which means that federal government money which is already earmarked for other purposes can be diverted to fight the pandemic.”

A UNICEF Canada report called 'Aboriginal Children's Health: Leaving No Child Behind'

"demonstrates the vulnerability of First Nations people to the H1N1 virus,"

says a statement by the Assembly of First Nations. The report is a Canadian Supplement to 'State of the World's Children 2009' report. The Assembly of First Nations goes on to say that

“Today’s report by UNICEF demonstrates that the inequities in health services for First Nations, compounded by the poor social conditions found in too many of our communities, contributes to our poorer health status even in the best of times,” the National Chief said. “This is why First Nations are particularly vulnerable to H1N1. The World Health Organization already has pointed out that there is a link between the severity of H1N1 cases and poor living conditions, over-crowded housing, poor-quality drinking water, pre-existing chronic diseases and sub-standard health care. It is time for action to improve the conditions that make us the most vulnerable segment of the population.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, speaking to the press from Halifax earlier today, said that he is "very concerned" about the Swine Flu outbreak on the reserves adding that officials did not know why the First Nations people are being so severely affected by the Swine Flu outbreak. In response to criticism from the Liberal party that he wasn't doing enough to help the First Nations People, Harper said that the

"government is working with the communities."

Grand Chief Ron Evans said (via email)

"Actually, Prime Minister Harper said to Canadian Press, "I think the truth is we really don't know why the H1N1 is more severe among some populations."

He added,

"The World Health Organization has already pointed out the link between poverty and the severity of H1N1. UNICEF released a report yesterday pointing out the health gaps between First Nations children and the general population. The Prime Minster's statement is hard to believe, in fact, it is reminiscent of George Bush's reaction to New Orleans."

Health Canada's Media Relations Officer, Christelle Legault, contacted via email, said

"The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the health and well-being of First Nation communities. Health Canada is working closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and First Nations Leadership to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated response to the outbreak of respiratory illness in Manitoba."

She added that extra

"medical staff are being sent to communities as needed and staffing levels are being closely monitored to ensure that adequate care is available at all times."

Those seriously ill are being medivaced to hospitals. Legault said that Tamiflu has been shipped to affected communities in northern Manitoba, and that

"Health Canada continues to work closely with the province of Manitoba to help ensure that requirements for antivirals are met in a timely fashion. As well, Health Canada is in the process of pre-positioning supplies of antivirals in other isolated First Nations communities to be used for treatment if they are needed."

Grand Chief Ron Evans responded

"This may not reconcile the differences but it will help."

A press release from Unicef Canada about the Unicef supplementary report says

"The report concludes that health disparities between First Nations, Inuit and Métis children relative to national averages is one of the most significant children’s rights challenges facing our nation. Twenty years after the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted, the UNICEF Canada report finds that despite some progress, Aboriginal children suffer from a much greater burden of poor health."