Métis Nation-Saskatchewan Announces New COVID-19 Supports
Press Release
December 10, 2020 – The Métis Nation Government of Saskatchewan has announced emergency COVID-19 supports available to Métis communities and citizens in need. The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) has developed these supports in partnership with provincial and federal governments, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and other stakeholders to support our citizens. MN–S designed these supports to complement existing COVID-19 programs already in place while meeting the pressing needs of Métis communities in Saskatchewan.
Marg Friesen MN–S Minister of Health said, “The ability of MN–S to be responsive to the emerging needs of our citizens is of the utmost importance. We are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our Métis citizens, particularly those who are immunocompromised, alone or isolated.”
MN–S is consulting with each Region to develop area-specific response plans and provide funding to help address each Region’s unique needs. Métis communities in lockdown and households in mandatory isolation will be supplied non-perishable food hampers and personal protective equipment (PPE). MN–S will ensure that the travel costs for in-hospital COVID-19 treatment is covered. Post-secondary students are offered access to rent, utility, and technology supports. Emergency childcare assistance is also available, as well as assistance with housing for those facing arrears. An application process is in place to help ensure supports are reaching individuals most in need.
MN–S President Glen McCallum said, “The COVID-19 situation within Saskatchewan, and nationwide, is evolving minute by minute and we are working to meet the changing needs of our citizens. We continue to work closely with federal and provincial governments, First Nations, Tribal Councils and local municipalities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 across the province.”
The MN–S is committed to initiatives that offer relief to MN–S citizens and to address the short term, medium-term, and long-term impacts of COVID-19. Since March, over 4,000 Métis families have benefited from MN–S childcare and household COVID-19 supports and over 91,500 masks, 50,000 gloves, 800 cases of sanitizer and 200 sanitation kits have been distributed province wide. MN–S has also supported security checkpoints and community monitoring and provided self-isolation accommodation and food security in the North, with enough supplies to last two months shipped to 20 communities.
For details of the COVID-19 support program and application forms, MN–S citizens are encouraged to visit www.metisnationsk.com/COVID and to contact 1-833-343-8285 or COVID19@mns.work.
Métis Nation–Saskatchewan is also supplying mental wellness and addictions support during this COVID-19 challenge. Free culturally specific mental wellness and crisis supports are available to all MN–S citizens. Help is available for individuals or families and includes counselling related to crisis, trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, addictions and anger; case assessments and coordination; gambling and digital dependency; and legal and financial counselling. Help is available in both English and French languages. Options include in-person support (where available), video conferencing, or telephone. MN–S is committed to making sure all citizens receive the supports they need in all areas of good mental health. MN–S mental health and addictions support is available at 1-855-671-5638 (8 am to 4 pm central time Monday to Friday) and 1-877-767-7572 (24 hr crisis line).
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For more information:
Julia Burns
MN–S Director of Communications
jburns@mns.work or 306-850-1670
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