By: Regan Jacobs, ATV Executive Producer
(UPDATED) Many indigenous communities and leadership have been working diligently implementing emergency measures to help battle the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Pandemic.
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe(SRMT) and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne(MCA) continue to take aggressive and protective measures to ensure the ongoing health, safety and well-being of the Akwesasne community at-large.
“Please know that this is an unprecedented and extraordinary time that requires difficult decisions and measures to be taken, for the Tribe and MCA, but also for yourself and your families, shared Tribal Chief Eric Thompson. “The Coronavirus is affecting every aspect of our lives. In response, both organizations have activated their Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) to help all of us get through this together,” added Chief Thomspon.
SRMT & MCA emphasize self-quarantine requirement
On March 16, 2020, both the SRMT and MCA declared a State of Emergency. Since that time, both governments have received serious concerns from community members about travel outside of Akwesasne by others and the NEED for those community members who return to Akwesasne to self-quarantine. This includes those returning from ironwork, from vacation, or from any location outside of the 50-mile radius for any reason, including release from incarceration.
The importance of self-quarantine
With mounting concerns from community members regarding vacations and unnecessary travel, both the MCA and SRMT have declared that individuals must take after-travel precautions. Any individual, who does not exercise caution and travels outside of the 50-mile radius, MUST self-quarantine for 14 days at home. They must remain at home and avoid visiting or doing any further travel.
“The Tribe issued a Travel Protocol in response to community members taking vacations and participating in non-essential travel. We want to emphasize that there should be no unnecessary travel outside our immediate area,” stated SRMT Tribal Chief Beverly Cook. Chief Cook says “those that have made the personal decision to do so, need to exercise precaution and self-quarantine themselves for 14 days. Everyone needs to take this situation as serious as they’ve ever been about their loved one’s lives and well-being.”
Individuals who have traveled and begin showing symptoms, are encouraged to call SRMT Community Outreach at (518) 358-3141 Ext. 7130 for remote screening.
MCA Grand Chief Abram Benedict stated, “This is an important message and both councils wanted to reach out to the community together to stress the importance of self-quarantining for any community member who is returning to Akwesasne. It’s not about you; it’s about the safety of the whole community, and especially our most vulnerable. Remember, we are the strongest when we all work together.”
Tune into Akwesasne TV’s latest video to hear the important message from SRMT and MCA leadership.
SRMT & MCA Community Announcement – March 24, 2020
SRMT & MCA MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITYRE: SELF-QUARANTINE REQUIREMENT
Posted by Akwesasne TV on Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Containing COVID-19
Within all reasonable and practical limits, Akwesane’s local governments are doing their part in order to limit the chance of COVID-19 entering the territory. As of Wednesday, March 25th, Akwesasne has no reported cases of the Coronavirus.
Franklin County Department of Public Health reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19 and notes that the subject is a resident of Franklin County and has been under quarantine since March 21st. The County Public Health is conducting an investigation to determine where the individual was exposed and whom they contacted prior to being quarantined.
In the surrounding areas, the Saint Lawrence County Public Health Department reports that as of Tuesday, 30 people have been quarantined although there are no confirmed cases in the County. Public health officials for the County say 229 people have been tested so far. Of those, 85 are negative and 144 are pending, — this according to Saint Lawrence Community Health Educator Bridgette Conklin.
Jefferson County has reported two cases of the Coronavirus. In Clinton County, health officials have reported their fourth case as of Sunday, March 22.
The United States is currently reporting 53,740, and Canada has reported 2,892 cases of COVID-19.
As of 4:00pm, March 24th, the SRMT issued an updated ‘State of Emergency Operational Briefing’ and continues to express the need to be vigilant in this challenging time.
Remember to call first, wash your hands and practice social distancing!
TRIBAL CLERK
The Tribal Clerks Office will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, commencing Thursday, March 19, 2020 until Thursday, April 16, 2020 for the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. At this time, we are only issuing Tribal I.D.’s and certified letters. Appointments and walk-ins are currently NOT allowed. Please call (518) 358-2272 ext. 2191 or ext. 2183 to arrange for pick-up of an I.D. or certified letter.
WIC UPDATE
All WIC appointments will now be done remotely over the phone. No in-person appointments. For questions and concerns, please call (518) 358-3141. There are now changes to your family’s “Benefits Valid Through” date. To check your WIC benefit balance, see: WIC2Go, the mobile app – Your last store receipt – Your store’s customer service desk – Or, call customer service at 1-844-540-3031.
SOCIAL SERVICES
To ensure the safety, health and welfare of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Social Services Division Offices will be operating remotely. In the event that you need immediate assistance, please contact the Social Services Division Administration office at (518) 358-2728, weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you need assistance outside of this “in-office” timeframe, please leave a detailed message at the following: Administration: (518) 358-2728, Adult/Child Protective Services: (518) 358-9659, Akwesasne Group Home: (518) 358-9184, ICWA/Traditional Support: (518) 358-2360, Intensive Preventive Program: (518) 358-3416, and Preventive/Foster Care Services: (518) 358-4516.
EARLY LEARNING CENTER
To ensure the safety of employees, students and their families; the ELC program is no longer able to provide food delivery. Meals can still be picked up at the ELC Monday thru Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Also, to ensure that ELC is able to sustain this service, as of March 30, 2020; the meals are exclusively provided for the children enrolled in the program.
HYPER-REACH — Please register to receive Franklin County Emergency Notifications to your cell phone by voice and text. This program will notify you in the event of an emergency in your area. There is already an existing program that notifies landline phones, so there is no need to register for that program. Please take a moment to fill out the form and Hyper-Reach will notify you in the event of local emergencies or community alerts. To register, please see https://secure.hyper-reach.com/comsignup.jsp?id=15681
RUMOR CONTROL
Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis. Do your part to stop the spread of disinformation by doing 3 easy things; don’t believe the rumors, don’t pass them along and go to trusted sources to get the facts and info.FEMA created a page to help distinguish between rumors and facts about the Coronavirus Pandemic at www.fema.gov/coronavirus
COVID-19 QUESTIONS?
New York State Department of Health has a 24/7 Coronavirus Hotline to any question you may have at 1-888-364-3065 (toll free). Real questions deserve real answers, so please share this number with anyone who wants to know more about the disease.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:
MEDICAL CENTERS
–SRMT Medical Outreach Services: (518) 358-3141 Ext. 7130
–MCA Community Health Program: (613) 575-2341 Ext. 3220
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTERS:
–SRMT EOC: (518) 320-0019
–MCA EOC: (613) 575-5005 or (613) 575-2331
CORONAVIRUS QUESTIONS HOTLINES:
–Franklin County Emergency Services COVID-19 Hotline: (518) 481-1111
–(medical questions) Alice Hyde Medical Center: (518) 481-2700
–NYS Department of Health COVID-19 24/7 Hotline: 1-888-364-3065
–Eastern Ontario Health Unit: 1-800-267-7120
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
–U.S. Center for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov
–NYS Department of Health: www.health.ny.gov
–United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.: www.usetinc.org
–Indian Health Service: www.ihs.gov
For any emergency-related matters, please call the EOC at (518) 320-0019 or email eoc@srmt-nsn.gov.
For a listing of previous closures, changes and other measures being taken to safeguard the health of our community members, please visit the Tribe’s Facebook page or check our website at www.srmt-nsn.gov.
Source: Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Communications Department
