COVID-19 in Indigenous communities: What you need to know this week

There are currently 120 active cases of COVID-19 on First Nations reserves across Canada, according to data from Indigenous Services Canada.

New cases since last weekwere primarily reported in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. One death was reported, bringing the total of deaths on-reserve from COVID-19 to 10.

There has been a total of 616 cases of COVID-19 on First Nations reserves as of Sept. 21, as well as 51 hospitalizations. A total of 486 First Nations people have recovered.

Cases on First Nations reserves reported per region as of Sept. 21 :

• British Columbia: 132
• Alberta: 265
• Saskatchewan: 96
• Manitoba: 8
• Ontario: 68
• Quebec: 47

Top COVID-19 stories

Mtis Nation-Saskatchewan president Glen McCallum tested positive for COVID-19, and at least five people who attended meetings in Waskesiu, Sask., last week with McCallum now have COVID-19 symptoms.The Hawood Inn, where the meetings were held, is now closed for extensive cleaning. Owner Nancy Wood said McCallum ignored pleas to follow COVID-19 protocols during the two-day meeting.

• Pikangikum First Nation, Sandy Lake First Nation and Kasabonika Lake First Nation in northern Ontarioreported new cases of COVID-19.
• The North American Indigenous Games in Halifax, postponed this year due to COVID-19 and scheduled to take place in2021, werepostponed again.
• ACOVID-19 testing site for Indigenous people is scheduledto open in Torontoin mid-October.
• A beader from northern Quebec has created a COVID-19 mask to pay tribute to how Cree and other Indigenous communities are dealing with the pandemic.

CBC Indigenous is looking to hear from First Nations, Mtis, and Inuit who have contracted COVID-19. If you would like to share your experience, please emailus.