OTTAWA – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says the newly established AFN COVID-19 (C-19) National Task Force will be instrumental in helping the AFN Executive Committee and First Nations receive accurate information, analysis and recommendations for action during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The AFN Executive Committee has established the AFN C-19 National Task Force to work in partnership with the AFN Health and Emergency Management Sectors and external experts to provide information, updates, analysis and recommendations as required during this pandemic,” said National Chief Perry Bellegarde. “This is a time of crisis and uncertainty. First Nations must have access to timely and accurate information and we need to over-communicate. The AFN C-19 National Task Force will be a valuable asset in this effort. We will continue to push all governments to engage directly with First Nations and to act on our unique needs.”
The AFN C-19 National Task Force has been established to assist in providing credible, useful information to the AFN Executive Committee and support their efforts to inform First Nations in their region about the developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The Task Force will be Co-Chaired by Manitoba Regional Chief Kevin Hart, who holds the Emergency Management Portfolio for AFN, and Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, who holds the Health Portfolio.
Regional Chief Adamek said, “The health, safety and well-being of First Nations is our priority and will guide our work on the Task Force. Now more than ever, we need to work together and draw on the full expertise of the AFN’s Policy sectors, Chiefs Committees and outside experts to inform the work of the AFN Executive and coordinate solid information to support First Nations.”
Regional Chief Hart stated: “The work of the AFN Task Force is critical. I know from my work on Emergency Management that First Nations will be facing additional challenges on top of this unprecedented pandemic. We can’t only react, we need to be ready. This Task Force will play an important role in that approach.”
The AFN has developed resources and materials for First Nations on the current COVID-19 pandemic. To review or download these resources, visit the AFN COVID-19 Webpage at https://www.afn.ca/coronavirus/
