Bulletin 23: CAFN COVID-19 Planning and Response
May 4, 2021
Message from the Chief
Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) continues to learn and adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our CAFN Council (Dän nätthe dätthʼi) strives to move forward in a good way with humility, respect and caring. Our highest priority remains the health and safety of our dän (people).
We acknowledge that we are in a good place today because of hard work and sacrifice by you, our dän, and in cooperation with all Yukoners. The low rate of COVID-19 infections is primarily because many people, like you, have made good choices and acted on those choices based on the best information available.
In Dakwäkäda/Haines Junction and the CAFN Traditional Territory, we are especially proud of the eligible people who have made the choice to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Today we have the highest vaccination rate in the Yukon, with 87% of eligible people in our region who have received their first dose, and 81% with their second dose. This is no small feat – it represents the strength of our community when we work together.
Although we have learned that life during a pandemic is never easy, we still have much to be thankful for – our COVID-19 measures continue to work to prevent the spread of the virus, and resulting illness or death. As new and more contagious variants continue to emerge, please keep up the good work!
Dúch’į Shį – We will always do what we must do to ensure the safety of our people. Please practice the Safe Six, wear a mask in public, and consider getting the vaccine if you haven’t yet.
At this time, we have avoided many of the health issues and heartache felt in other parts of Canada and the world by respecting each other and following Dr. Hanley’s advice. Shaw nithän (well done, thank you), to our Shadhäla Äshèyi yè Kwädän (CAFN people) and to all our neighbours in the CAFN Traditional Territory. Let’s keep working together to find new solutions to the challenges of the pandemic, and to continue our safe return to the new normal.
Gunałchish,
Kaaxnox, Dän nätthe äda
Chief Steve Smith
| Vaccines Update Whitehorse Clinic The Whitehorse vaccine clinic is still open in the Convention Centre at the Coast High Country Inn. Beginning Saturday, May 1, new hours for the Whitehorse vaccine clinic are: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday from 12 to 6 p.m. Drop-ins are welcome. Or book online at yukon.ca/Thisisourshot and by phone at 1-877-374-0425. Dakwäkäda/Haines Junction Vaccines will continue to be provided in rural communities through the community health centres. Please contact your local health centre to book and learn more. New: The Moderna vaccine is now available to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Please look here for more info: https://yukon.ca/sites/yukon.ca/files/hss/hss-information-on-the-moderna-covid-19-vaccine-for-people-who-are-breastfeeding-or-pregnant.pdf |
| Need help to get the vaccine? For help to book or for a ride to your vaccine appointment, please phone our Community Wellness team at (867) 634-4200 or (867) 456-6888 ext 211, OR talk to your regular CAFN Community Wellness support person. Our CAFN team cannot provide medical advice, but we can help you find answers to your questions and make sure you have access to information about the Moderna vaccine provided by the Government of Yukon. |
| NEW! Info for Returning Students and Workers Self-Isolation: As our students and other family members prepare to return to the Yukon for the summer season, some new best practices are in place. Every person entering Yukon has to self-isolate for 14-days. Given the rise in COVID-19 variants, and the ease with which they spread, the Chief Medical Officer of Health now recommends that people returning from travel to Yukon either self-isolate alone (not in a shared household) OR the entire household should self-isolate together. For more details, please visit: https://yukon.ca/en/health-and-wellness/covid-19-information/your-health-covid-19/information-self-isolation Vaccines: Returning students and workers can get your COVID-19 vaccine in Whitehorse while you are still in self-isolation. For full details please visit: https://yukon.ca/en/students-and-seasonal-workers-get-vaccinated |
| COVID-19 Enforcement If you are concerned about unsafe events or people not isolating in your community, you can report a Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA) infraction: – Online at https://yukon.ca/en/cema-report – By phone to 867-393-6210, or – Email [email protected] |
| Current Safety Measures at CAFN Kwätsi Dän (We Work): STEP 3 Recovery As of March 25, 2021 the following COVID-19 safety measures are in effect at CAFN: Continue practicing the Safe 6 + 1. CAFN offices remain closed to the public. Masks are required in all CAFN common areas. Up to 50% staff may work in CAFN offices, with priority to staff who provide essential services. Limit travel to communities. Enhanced cleaning measures continue in all CAFN spaces. The Youth Centre is open. The Shawkwunlee Daycare continues to operate. Organized indoor and outdoor gatherings may be held by CAFN in keeping with Government of Yukon COVID-19 guidelines for safe gatherings. Language immersion classes may be held in-person at Da Kų with COVID-19 restrictions. Da Kų Cultural Centre and community halls are closed to the public, and may be used for CAFN programming. Bus Services continue with small numbers, family bubbles and safe spacing. Note: CAFN is also working on ways to safely hold funerals. |
LEARN MORE:
What is the status of COVID-19 in the Yukon? Please visit Yukon.ca
What is the status of COVID-19 in Canada? Please visit Canada.ca
Council of Yukon First Nations COVID-19 information hub: CYFN.ca/covid-19
