Manitoba Métis Government Takes Action on COVID-19

March 12, 2020

Winnipeg, MB - Today, the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) - the Manitoba Metis Government - brought together its elected representatives and senior managers, many by conference call, to coordinate their next steps as the MMF operationalizes its active approach towards addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The MMF is taking this action to minimize the effects on the Manitoba Metis.

The Manitoba Metis are an Indigenous people who are Canada's negotiating partners in Confederation. Studies have shown the Manitoba Metis have among the highest levels of chronic disease and diabetes, putting the Manitoba Metis in a category of being highly vulnerable to the virus. Despite this, the MMF has yet to be invited by the Minister of Health of Manitoba to collaborate with each another on this pandemic.

In December 2019, the MMF began its MMF COVID-19 response planning for its approach in the event the virus entered the province of Manitoba, and to take proactive measures to look after its citizens. The MMF has already cancelled a number of large regional and community consultation meetings to slow down the spread of the disease into and across our Metis Community. The limitation, delay or cancellation of other meetings and travel throughout Manitoba and Canada will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

The MMF, along with its affiliates, has over 800 employees, many of which have active roles in implementing the MMF COVID-19 response plan. The MMF plan includes undertaking its communication plan to disseminate information to assist its citizens to be prepared across its communities - villages and towns - across the province. These communications, for education and prevention, will be done village-by-village and town-by-town.

To help our people, the MMF Housing Department will be making available three mobile tiny homes for emergencies in the villages or towns where families or family members need to self-isolate. In addition, N4 Metis Construction, a Manitoba Metis Government-owned company under the direction of MMF Minister Jack Park, is mobilizing two secure 48-bed camps as fully-accessible health facilities as part of a larger action of community supports for people entering self-isolation and for those with special needs.

The MMF is also undertaking inventories and identifying equipment, resources and staff while completing a gap analysis for moving these across our province to assist our citizens and, when necessary, bringing our citizens to where assistance can be obtained, as well as making purchases as required for what we need.

The MMF - the Manitoba Metis Government - is taking these and other necessary proactive steps to continue to protect our people at this challenging time. The MMF approach will be flexible and will respond to the changing risks and the nature of the crisis. We are taking the necessary action. We will not sit by and wait for the federal or provincial governments to address our community's needs.

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Believe in Yourself; Believe in Métis.

The Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) is the official democratic and self-governing political representative for the Métis Nation's Manitoba Métis Community. The Manitoba Métis are Canada's Negotiating Partner in Confederation and the Founders of the Province of Manitoba.

For media information, please contact:
Al Foster
Director - Communications
Manitoba Metis Federation
Office: (204) 586-8474 x324
Cell: (204) 806-4752
Email: al.foster@mmf.mb.ca
www.mmf.mb.ca

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