(Image Credit: CFJC Today / Adam Donnelly)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

COVID-19

Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc working on community connection during pandemic response

Mar 31, 2020 | 4:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — Those working within the emergency operations centre for Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc have spent the last few weeks focused on COVID-19 prevention efforts in the community.

Tk’emlúps offices and facilities have been closed, travel and non-urgent meetings were suspended for chief and council, school classes are no longer held in-person, and any tours or events on band lands have been postponed.

Kúkpi7 / Chief Rosanne Casimir says implementing this level of pandemic response was unprecedented.

“I have never imagined that in my role as the Chief, the Kukpi7 for my community, that we would ever being going through a crisis like we are right now,” says Casimir. “I know that what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard with the fear that goes with it — our band members, they’re very concerned just like everybody else. We have to be optimistic, we’ve got to be strong, we’ve got to be united, and we’ve all got to be doing the things that we need to do together to get through this.”

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After enacting closures and extra precautions like what was seen in the City of Kamloops, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) Chief and Council say it appears most residents are getting the message about social distancing, extra cleaning, and staying home.

“So far there are no confirmed band members that have COVID-19,” says Casimir. “We just know that there are quite a few in the Interior, and there are no specifics as to who those individuals are.”

In TteS operated buildings, most employees are working remotely. Casimir says extra cleaning practices have also been put into place to make sure those still in the offices are protected, along with increased signage around hand-washing.

“The whole workplace ambiance has definitely changed. Right now we basically have everyone who can work at home working at home. And using technology to be able to have meetings, and set up appointments with some of our essential services.”

In regards to federal funding grants that would be available, Casimir says their contact with Indigenous Services Canada has reached out and they expect that will bring some relief to members who are struggling.

“We have approved some funding that will be coming in. So that will be utilized definitely for the pandemic and during this time. It’s for band members on reserve, and it’ll be addressing some needs for our elders, those that are vulnerable, those that are low income,” she explains. “Counselling services are also needing to be put in place because everyone is facing a lot of fear right now, and it’s important to have some kind of an outreach that is there for them and all of us.”

Casimir says they’ve been collaborating with the City of Kamloops on safety practices, and businesses in the area have taken on new measures as well.

“With our gas station for instance, there is plexiglass put up to protect the employee, and there’s stickers on the floor to ensure that when customers come in they can follow the two-metre, six-feet apart rule. So they’re respecting social distancing in line ups.”

Chief and council have been getting the word out there that members need to be keeping their distance, but they’ve also made an effort to make sure elders who are staying home don’t feel totally isolated.

Casimir says they have set up an outreach program through the Community Services Department, and councillors have taken part in the connection process as well.

“We are phoning and reaching out to the elders to do a check in because a lot of them are isolated at home. We want to make sure that one — they’re not feeling any disconnect. And two — we know that they’re seeing and hearing a lot of things on social media, seeing things on TV, that are kind of amping up those fears,” she notes. “Just making sure that they have what they need to stay home. Whether that be food, cleaning supplies, or just being that moral support to say that you’re not alone, we’re here.”

In an earlier notice posted by TteS, some services were tentatively scheduled to resume by today (Mar. 31). However with how quickly the situation can change day-to-day, there isn’t a concrete date set for when all the adjusted measures will end.

For now, Casimir wants to remind members of how the community can get through the pandemic, by taking care of one another, and staying home.

“I’ve just got to hold up my hands to all of those frontline workers who are putting their lives on the line every single day to help us be safe, to care for each and every single one of us. And we honour them, we truly do.”