Assembly Of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq held a Virtual Summit today on the Internet from 12:00 to 2:00 EST, with the purpose of dealing with a number of issues related to the current H1N1 pandemic as it affects First Nations Peoples.
The primary list of issues they addressed according to the Virtual Summit On H1N1 In First Nations Communities website were;
- Preparations and activities underway to deal with the second wave of H1N1 in First Nation Communities.
- Recent developments on H1N1
- Distributions on vaccines and antiviral drugs in First Nations Communities.
- Profiles on First Nations Communities on their planning and preparedness efforts.
- Interactive youth and expert panel discussion.
Although you may have missed this broadcast as I did, you can view the two hour telecast November 12, 2009 on the Internet by clicking on this link Virtual Summit On H1N1 In First Nation Communities.
Shawn Atleo was just interviewed on CBC Power and Politics (link to download podcast) 30 minutes ago and some of the many points that he spoke about were:
One in Five First Nations people do not have access to, or the ability to travel to a doctor or a clinic to get the flu shot.
First Nations peoples as a result of poverty on reserves, and in communities outside of reserves are more likely to get the virus because of poor health.
With respect to the visit of Prince Charles and Camila in Canada right now, Atleo reminded us that there are numerous treaties between First Nations peoples and the Government of Canada which are still valid and in force, and were signed by Queen Victoria many years ago.
My last comment is that it has been reported today on CBC news that Taliban detainees in Afghanistan are receiving the H1N1 flu shot ahead of all of us particularly First Nations peoples.
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