Page - 58 - in VULNERABLE - The Law, Policy and Ethics of COVID-19

VULNERABLE58 The federal government’s Indigenous COVID-19 response con- tinues to evolve as First Nations advocate for increased funding to address their distinct challenges and needs. Many First Nations are vulnerable to COVID-19, both the disease itself and the adverse con- sequences of measures taken in response, due to existing and long- standing economic, social, and health disparities. Recently, Grand Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations expressed concerns to the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs regarding the government’s removal of pandemic restrictions that would impact First Nations. He stated that some “provincial governments are refusing to accept lawful decisions by First Nations to restrict traffic flow and gatherings among people” as part of First Nations exercising their inherent jurisdiction in their response to COVID-19.27 Indigenous Responses Relating to COVID-19 First Nations governments are the best placed and most proximate government to respond to needs, and to act in accordance within a variety of jurisdictional fields, including the management of health emergencies on their reserve. However, this must be understood in conjunction with the ongoing treaty and constitutional obligations of the federal government to fund the operation of this First Nations authority in response to COVID-19. indigenous-territorial-and-federal-leaders-mobilize-funding-to-support- unique-northern-physical-distancing-initiative.html>; Indigenous Services Canada, Relief  Measures  for  Indigenous  Businesses  (Ottawa: Indigenous Services Canada, 2020), online: Indigenous  Services  Canada  <https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng /1588079295625/1588079326171>; Health Canada, Canada’s  COVID-19  Economic  Response  Plan:  Indigenous  Peoples  (Making  Personal  Hygiene  Products  and  Nutritious  Food  More  Affordable) (Ottawa: Health Canada, 2020), online: Health Canada <https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html# individuals>; Health Canada, Canada’s  COVID-19  Economic  Response  Plan:  Indigenous  Peoples  (Providing  Support  to  Indigenous  Post-Secondary  Students) (Ottawa: Health Canada, 2020), online: Health Canada <https://www.canada.ca/ en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#individuals>. 27. Teresa Wright, “Canada’s Indigenous Leaders Say More Help Is Needed as COVID-19 Outbreaks Rise”, Global  News  (8 May 2020), online: <https://global- news.ca/news/6923971/coronavirus-canada-indigenous-concerns/>. See also House of Commons, “Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, INAN Meeting, No 7” (8 May 2020), online (video): House of Commons, <https:// parlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20200508/- 1/33202?Language=English&Stream=Video> [House of Commons].