Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government Responds to Covid-19

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UPDATE: Closure has been extended to April 15, 2020. Click here for more details.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government Responds to Covid-19

 

In collaboration with staff and senior management of the LMG, Chief and Council have adopted the following measures in response to growing public health concern surrounding COVID-19. These measures take effect immediately and are consistent with the recommendations made by the Federal and Provincial Health Authorities, including actions recently taken by our sister communities. 

As of March 17, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.:

  • LMG buildings will be closed to the public for a period of 14 calendar days.
  • Regular operations are expected to resume Wednesday, April 1, 2020, but will be reassessed prior to the end of the 14 calendar day period. A memo confirming the re-opening or extended closure of LMG will be circulated prior to April 1.
  • Staff deemed essential to day-to-day operations will be contacted by their Directors for further instruction. Staff who have not been contacted by their directors are asked to stay home until further notice (regular payroll will be processed as scheduled).

Departmental response plans to COVID-19:

  1. Administration: LMG Communications will be working on a rotational basis to address on-going emergency communication needs. The Post Office and AVCell will continue their daily operations. For general inquiries regarding LMG closures, please call the Band Office at (418) 788-2136 between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. 
  2. Capital and Infrastructure: Public Works will be doing garbage pick up on Mondays and Thursdays only from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please try to limit your curbside garbage during the LMG closure period. 
  3. Listuguj Community Health Services: Community members wishing to speak to a nurse can call the Health Center at (418) 788-2155 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours, please call the Covid-19 national hotline: 1-877-644-4545. Please note that their walk-in clinic is closed until further notice. Home Care Services are currently suspended but measures are being taken to support high risk and high priority clients. 
  4. Education, Training, and Employment: The Alaqsite’w Gitpu School will remain closed. All training opportunities will be postponed until further notice. Important notices for parents and staff will be sent through LETE Facebook page.
  5. Finance: Financial services will continue daily operations at a limited capacity. There will be no interruption in the processing of payroll. RL-31 forms will still be available to fill out over the phone with Hayley Isaac. She can be reached at (581) 884-1390, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  6. Natural Resources: The Natural Resources Directorate will remain open until Wednesday, March 18th, at 12:00 p.m. to complete pre-employment registration for the upcoming fishing season. Effective Thursday, March 19th, NR will maintain essential services from home. For emergencies or other urgent matters, please contact James Metallic-Sloan at (418) 865-4045.
  7. Social Services: Child and Family Services, the Gignu, Social Assistance, and Haven House will continue operations on a limited rotational basis. For more information, please contact Social Service directly at (418) 788-3039 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
  8. Public Security: Essential services will continue to operate unless otherwise instructed by their supervisor.

LMG Employees

Employees that are forced to stay home as a result of these measures will not be penalized and will be paid as usual. It will not impact employees’ sick or vacation time, as this is a special circumstance. 

Business Owners within Listuguj Lands

The community response to COVID-19 goes beyond the operations of the LMG. Local stores and establishments that chose to remain open at this time should take all necessary measures to ensure a clean and safe environment for their staff and customers. As potential points of amplification, it is their responsibility to sanitize all frequently touched surfaces in their retail locations and to be mindful of the need to maintain social distancing for both staff and customers.

Community Care Approach

  • Social distancing does not mean social isolation. Call a loved one, and check-in on your family members, even if it’s through Messenger or FaceTime.
  • Stay home if you’re sick, wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and avoid any unnecessary contact with others.

For further updates or amendments to the response plan, please consult the LMG Website and social media pages as important information will be shared as it becomes available.

Community Announcement

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

MARCH 17, 2020 – We understand that there remains a lot of questions regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). On behalf of the Chief and Council, we want to emphasize to our community members that the health and safety of our community and staff remains our number one priority. We are working collaboratively with staff and senior management to develop a thorough response plan to ensure essential operations of our government continues. 

Active measures including details surrounding the closure of the LMG will be announced tonight at 6:00 p.m.

At this time we are urging community members to take this pandemic seriously. As a community, we have an individual and collective responsibility to protect and take care of one another. If you are experiencing symptoms or have been in contact with someone with symptoms such as cough, fever, and difficulty breathing, please stay home. We can all play a role in flattening the curve of COVID-19. Wela’lieq Listuguj for your continued patience and understanding as we work through this together. 

More information to come.

Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government Establishes Emergency Response Committee

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March 16, 2020 (5:50 p.m.) — The Chief and Council of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government (LMG) takes the health and safety of our community very seriously. As many of you are aware, the coronavirus (COVID-19) is rapidly evolving and governments at all levels have been taking action to minimize the transmission of the virus and potential impacts of its spread. 

The LMG has taken a number of steps to protect the health and safety of our community. This includes the closing of the Alaqsitew Gitpu School, child care centers, and the postponement of community events and training until further notice. In addition to these measures, Council recently passed a motion at a duly-convened council meeting held March 16, 2020 to establish an Emergency Response Committee to help us lead a coordinated response to this rapidly evolving situation.

As the current situation develops, LMG Communications will work with the Emergency Response Committee to keep community members up-to-date and informed on any official LMG positions. Please note, all official positions of the LMG will be announced and shared through the Listuguj website and posted to our social media pages.

Chief and Council has adopted the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan. It is comprised of eleven points that will allow the LMG to remain flexible, agile and responsive as the situation unfolds.

Chief and Council will be meeting tomorrow morning, March 17th, to discuss this matter further. We will inform the community by 2:00 p.m. of the actions that will be taken.

JC Van Horne Bridge Closed

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Due to poor visibility, the ministère des Transports du Québec will be closing the JC Van Horne bridge at approximately 5:30 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time on March 13th, 2020. Please stay tuned for updates on when the bridge will reopen.

New precautionary measures taken by LMG to reduce the risk of potential spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

New precautionary measures taken by LMG to reduce the risk of potential spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

 

Updated March 23, 2020 / Posted March 13, 2020 – Effective immediately, all schools, daycares and training programs within Listuguj will be closed until May 1, 2020. This comes at the recommendations of our health professionals at the Listuguj Community Health Services in consultation with the Public Health Authorities. We reiterate that these are only precautionary measures and that the risk of potential transmission remains low. 

 

As the situation evolves, the LMG may need to implement additional measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community members and staff. The LMG Communications team will keep the community informed as new developments unfold.

 

The following will be closed until May 1, 2020:

  • Alaqsite’w Gitpu School
  • Adult Mi’gmaq Immersion
  • CEGEP St-Felicien – Early Childhood Services Program
  • Eastern Shores School Board (ESSB) – Accounting & Plastering Programs
  • First Nations Regional Adult Education Center (FNRAEC)
  • Headstart
  • Locally Coordinated Training – MEDA3, Marine First Aid, and Self Defense training, etc.
  • Mawo’ltijig Mijua’ji’jg (day care)

 

Please note that the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Development Centre (LMDC), Listuguj Education Directorate (LED) and First Nations Regional Adult Education Center (FNRAEC) will still be open for administrative staff.

 

Reporting Symptoms

We are encouraging all community members who have recently traveled outside of the country OR who are experiencing flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, and difficulty breathing) to contact your local health professional or call the new helpline 1-877-644-4545. In addition to seeking medical advice LMG Staff are required to report any related symptoms to their immediate supervisor.

 

Traveling Outside of the Country (including the U.S.)

Community members and staff who traveled internationally BEFORE March 12th, are asked to voluntarily self-isolate for 14 days from the date returned.

Community members/LMG staff who traveled internationally AFTER March 12th, are required to self-isolate for 14 days from the date returned.

Message from the Listuguj Community Health Services

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As a precautionary measure concerning Covid-19, we the Listuguj Community Health Services are cancelling all scheduled activities for the remainder of the month March 2020. After this time, the situation will be re-evaluated.  Listuguj Community Health Services asks that community member be proactive and encourage good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, stay home if you’re sick.

 

Please read the notification that was sent to all community members by L.M.G.

https://listuguj.ca/message-for-community-members/

 

Thank You

 

Donna Metallic

Director of Health

Message for Community Members

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The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government would like to inform community members that we are taking precautionary measures to reduce and minimize the risk of the potential transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Listuguj. As of March 12, 2020, the risk remains low. 

By being proactive and encouraging good hygiene, we hope that the potential risk of transmission will remain low. To achieve this, we are calling on all community members and LMG Staff to support these efforts by implementing the following measures:

  • Wash hands frequently; 
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth;
  • Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces at home and in the workplace;
  • Practice good cough etiquette;
  • If traveling internationally, please consult the Government of Canada’s travel health notices before travel. Link: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories

We are encouraging all community members who experience symptoms of acute-respiratory illness (cough, fever, and difficulty breathing) to contact your local health professional or call 811. As COVID-19 remains a public health concern, we are asking that in addition to seeking medical advice LMG Staff report any related symptoms to their immediate supervisor. 

Our number one priority remains the health and safety of our community members and staff. We thank you for your cooperation and commitment in taking these necessary steps to keep our community safe. 

LCHS Update – Novel Coronavirus

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The Listuguj Community Health Services (LCHS) maintains a close relationship with Indigenous Services Canada and Public Health Québec. They receive updates from them on a regular basis in regards to public health concerns, including the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
 
The LCHS would like to share the following information and update with the community:
  • The Public Health Agency of Canada is actively monitoring the situation regarding the novel coronavirus.
  • The best way to protect yourself and your community is by preventing the spread of germs.
  • Wash your hands often, cough and sneeze into your arm, throw out used tissues right away, clean and disinfect shared surfaces and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • For more information about the novel coronavirus visit Canada.ca/coronavirus or call the Government of Canada’s toll free line at 1-833-784-4397.
  • Link to the Public Health Agency of Canada website: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

More information:

LMCP Spotlight Winner for March

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Congratulations Anna Isaac – March 2020 Spotlight Winner!

Anna Isaac, Spotlight Winner For March.

Anna was nominated for being a strong indigenous woman, for showing up at community events/meetings, giving back to Listuguj and being a role model mother. Great work Anna.

Reminder that I am continuously accepting nominations for the April – December 2020 Spotlight. If you know or see anyone making a difference and working towards our vision statement I encourage you to nominate them and let them be recognized!

Our Vision for generations to come: Living our rights and responsibilities as Listugujewaq by speaking, thinking and being Mi’gmaq

Getlamite’tmeg enmina’qeg ugjit wejgwapegsultjig: Ta’n teltetapu’mimajulti’gw gennmu’g, ango’tmu’g aq nujo’tmu’g ‘ms’t gm’tginaq ta’n Teli’sulti’gw, telangita’sulti’gw aq telinnulti’gw

Forms can be found on the LMG webpage and emailed to Alexandra.willett@listuguj.ca or dropped off at the Band Office.

 

Alexandra Barnaby Willett

LMCP Coordinator

LMCP Directorate Spotlight Winner – December 2019 Quarter

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Congratulations to the Listuguj Community Health Services Directorate!

 

In November/December of 2019 the LMCP team visited all of the LMG directorates. Part of our job as the LMCP team is to maintain relationships with LMG Directors and project managers. We gathered updates and went over top priorities presented by each department. ALL of the LMG programs and departments are doing amazing work and are working towards our community vision statement :

 

Living our rights and responsibilities as Listugujewaq by speaking, thinking and being Mi’gmaq

 

Ta’n teltetapu’mimajulti’gw gennmu’g, ango’tmu’g aq nujo’tmu’g ‘ms’t gm’tginaq ta’n Teli’sulti’gw, telangita’sulti’gw aq telinnulti’gw

 

In addition to our monthly spotlight in highlighting individual community members, the LMCP team decided it would be beneficial to also highlight directorates and programs for working towards our vision statement and keeping our 4 main action areas in mind when developing their strategic plans. After sitting down with all of LMG directors I typed up a brief summary of why each should be chosen. Chosen by a committee vote, I am pleased to announce that the Listuguj Community Health Services Directorate is our first ever quarterly LMCP Spotlight for the December 2019 quarter.

 

Congratulations to the entire team, you are making a difference for future generations to come!

Looking forward to our next meetings and being able to highlight the positive work being done here in Listuguj.

 

LMCP Coordinator

Alexandra Barnaby Willett