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CAFN COVID-19 Bulletin 14

CAFN COVID-19 Bulletin 14

June 12, 2020                                                       

Bulletin 14:  CAFN COVID-19 Planning and Response

Message from the Chief:

As Yukon and Canada gradually reopen with new COVID-19 practices, the CAFN Council asks you to remain vigilant and stay safe.  Please keep looking out for yourself and each other while the risk of the pandemic remains.  Be kind, gentle and supportive as we all adjust to major changes in our lives.

We lift our hands up to all our CAFN Citizens and staff for all you have done so far, and all you continue to do, to make the lives of CAFN Citizens and families better.  I especially commend our staff who have gone above and beyond their regular duties to deliver essential services and to quickly create and deliver new programs to meet new needs. 

We also ask that you continue to exercise caution as we welcome more people travelling through the CAFN Traditional Territory. Territorial campgrounds opened to Yukoners on June 4 and Yukon looks forward to welcoming visitors from BC starting July 1. Travelers to and from Alaska and the NWT also continue to pass through.  With increased risk due to increased travel, we are asking all visitors to respect our people and lands by coming prepared, passing through safely and leaving no trace.  We are working with the Village of Haines Junction, Yukon First Nations and the Yukon government to ensure that our messages on safe, respectful travel reach visitors. 

Lastly, thank you again for holding up our 2020 CAFN graduates in new ways to safely celebrate their accomplishments.  We especially enjoyed celebrating our graduates during CAFN parades in Kwanlin, Deep Creek, Takhini River Subdivision and Dakwäkäda this June 3 and 4.  To the class of 2020, we are so proud of you.  Shäw nithän! 

Gunałchish.

Kaaxnox, Dän Nätthe Äda (Chief Steve Smith)

Looking for information about COVID-19? In the Yukon please visit Yukon.ca     In Canada please visit Canada.ca Council of Yukon First Nations COVID-19 information hub at:  cyfn.ca/covid-19

Yukon’s 6 Steps to Staying Safe
1. Physical distancing – keep 2 metres (6 feet) away from everyone who’s not a member of your household.
2. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol.
3. Stay home if you’re feeling sick.
4.Don’t gather in groups of more than 10 people and remember to keep 2 metres (6 feet) apart.
5. Limit travel to rural communities.
6. Self-isolate if you’ve just returned to the territory, or if you’ve been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
Dän Shawthän Video Contest
All CAFN Citizens are invited to enter!  Share a 1-minute video clip showing what you are doing as Dän Shäwthan (good people) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Share your great ideas with others!
The first weekly deadline to enter is Friday, June 12, at 4:30 p.m. and every Friday through July 3, 2020.  Weekly prizes are our new Dän Tän Gà Dījäl backpacks and the Grand Prize winner will receive a gift certificate for $500 to a local seafood or butcher shop. Watch for entries @champagneandaishihikfirstnations and with the hashtags #DänShäwthanvideocontest and #CAFNcares For full contest rules and information, please visit https://cafn.ca/dan-shawthan-video-contest/  
Do you have COVID-19 Questions or Concerns?
If you have concerns about non-resident travelers’ compliance with COVID-19 orders, please report them to: [email protected], or to local enforcement offices at 634-2247 or 634-2256. If you have non-medical questions about COVID-19, email [email protected] or phone toll free to 1-877-374-0425.
COVID-19 Support
There are many new financial supports available to help people during this pandemic.
If you have questions on what supports are available, or need help to apply, please contact one of our CAFN Support Navigators:
Ruth Haynes, Financial Literacy Coach – [email protected] or (867) 634-4200 x285
Holly Underschultz, Economic Development –[email protected] or (867) 456-6888 x332
CAFN Income Assistance support staff can also assist our CAFN clients
CAFN Offices
Our offices are closed to the public, but we continue to provide essential services.  Please contact us if you have questions or need CAFN support. 
Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Haines Junction  (867) 634-4200            Whitehorse           (867) 456-6888