Message from Chief Sacha, March 29 2020

Weli’egsitpug, I want to commend you all on your efforts of self-isolating, by doing so you’re keeping your family and yourself safe. As we prepare for another 14 days at home, I want to remind you all that despite so much uncertainty, there is one thing that is certain; STAYING HOME SAVES LIVES. As the weather gets nicer it’s important to note that it’s ok to go outside as long as we continue to practise social and physical distancing. Please note that playgrounds have been added to the list of restrictions from the NB Emergency response office, so please keep children safe and away from any public places including playgrounds.

I encourage everyone to display your color coded COVID-19 neighbourhood watch card in your windows, colour facing out. Red: I am not feeling well, Yellow: I need something, Green: I’m OK! and Blue: I’m feeling blue. This great initiative from our health centre is a way to help each other from a distance, it’s also a good way to make sure we’re OK. We’re fortunate to have great volunteers in our community, Chief and Council are very grateful!

In the days and weeks to come, it’s inevitable that numbers in NB and in our zone will rise, it’s up to us to remain diligent in flattening the curve for the health and safety of our community. Please be assured that Chief and Council, staff, and your health centre are diligently doing everything possible to plan ahead during this pandemic and we continue to work hard to keep our health and safety of the highest priority. As things are constantly changing, we can expect that additional measures may be required, we will implement any additional measures for your health and safety.

Some of the activities that are currently taking place are as follows:
• Daily conference call with Indigenous Services Canada Atlantic Health Branch for Atlantic Chiefs
• Conference calls New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization and monitoring daily key messages and updates
• Daily conference call with ISC Health Branch for Health Directors
• Weekly conference call with ERB emergency response team
• Daily call or text to check in with Health centre
• Ongoing daily communications with Chief and Council
Because of the vast areas and amounts of information coming in, we will be implementing a communication specifically for COVID-19 updates, starting this coming week. This will help get all necessary information out from one area.

Thanks again,

Chief Sacha