APRIL 22, 2020 – Education Department Update

We meet daily during the week and we can offer support to you for your children attending school. We are willing to be an advocate if you need support communicating to the school(s) for your child’s/ren’s academic or emotional needs.

If you have lost your job due to Covid-19 and need support applying for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit please reach out.

Let us know if you want to update your cover letter and/or resume.

We are here to support your Education, Language Learning and Employment planning.

Stelly’s Secondary School Update

Please download and read the Stelly’s Secondary School’s update regarding Covid-19 and what to expect going forward.

Respectfully,
Education Department Team

Coreen Child, Tsawout Education Manager: educationmanager@tsawout.ca
Stephanie Adams, Tsawout Learning House Coordinator: sadams@tsawout.ca
Tabita Marks, Tsawout Head Start Coordinator: tmarks@tsawout.ca
Haley Sylvester, Tsawout Language Nest Coordinator: hsylvester@tsawout.ca
Lillian Underwood, Tsawout Employment Counsellor: employment@tsawout.ca

April 15, 2020 – Social Development Update 

Our Department will be contacting clients over the phone to do declarations, if they have not already done so. The majority of phone numbers on file are not in service. If you have a new phone please contact Nicole (438) 700-3536  or Angelina at (506) 705-2114 (these are Text Only numbers to update your contact). Or by email at agarcia@tsawout.ca or adminsupport@tsawout.ca.

This is the best way to get a hold of Social Development for any questions or concerns. Please bear with us as we are doing our best at the moment. Moving forward this is how declarations will be done until the office re-opens. If you need to drop off BC Hydro bills or phone bills, someone will be at the front desk to meet you at the door. If no one is at the front please text the number above and one of us will meet you at the front door. This is all to ensure health and safety guidelines.

Thank you,
Nicole and Angelina

APRIL 10, 2020 – Shared Message from SDEMOXELWET – Mary Ann Sam Tsawout Council Member

• Stay home for at least 10 days if you have any symptoms of illness. After 10 days, if your temperature is normal and you feel better, you can return to your routine activities. Coughing may persist for several weeks, so a cough alone does not mean you need to continue to self-isolate for more than 10 days.
• Stay at least two metres (over six feet) away from other people outside your household.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your face.
• British Columbians who are returning from abroad need to prepare a self-isolation plan before returning to the country to keep our communities safe. Guidance for those returning from international destinations is available here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Factsheet_Returning_Travelers.pdf
• Anyone who has friends or family members who are coming home from abroad are encouraged to help them understand the new rules related to COVID-19. Guidance for families of those returning home is available here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Factsheet_Returning_Family.pdf
• More information for returning travellers is available here: www.gov.bc.ca/returningtravellers

• Don’t visit vacation properties
  • This is not the time to travel to secondary homes or vacation properties in other communities. It’s not only important stay home and maintain physical distancing, but access to resources and health care may be more challenging in smaller communities if someone should become ill or if there’s a community outbreak. By staying home, British Columbians can take pressure off the already strained resources in these smaller areas.
• BC Parks are closed
  •  Finding ways to maintain safe distances has been an ongoing challenge in some of B.C.’s more popular parks and recreation sites. This is why BC Parks has announced an immediate closure of all provincial parks. Also closed are all federal parks, as well as campgrounds and amenities run by B.C.’s Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. Parks will reopen as soon as the provincial health officer indicates it’s safe to do so.
• Keep search and rescue volunteers safe
  • With the COVID-19 pandemic, there is higher risk for B.C.’s 2,500 search-and-rescue volunteers, as there is a risk of virus transmission during a call to help those who have been lost, stranded or injured in B.C.’s outdoors. With more people staying home, search and rescue calls have dropped by 50%. However, British Columbians are asked to do their part and not to venture into the wilderness at this time.

• Virtual visits
  • Instead of visiting families and friends in person, look for creative and innovative ways to safely connect with friends and family, such as virtual coffee dates and using FaceTime, Zoom or Skype to stay in touch.
• Safe recreation
  • Getting outside for fresh air and exercise is important – so long as family can keep a safe distance of at least two metres from others outside their household.
  • Some parks and beaches have closed because they’re too busy. There are many other quieter outdoor spaces to enjoy, so long as everyone can keep a safe physical distance.
  • Being outdoors, walking pets and physical activities, such as going for a bike ride are all safe, so long as a safe physical distance is maintained.
• Help elderly or vulnerable neighbours
  • The PHO is encouraging people to be kind and support each other as much as possible.
  • Elderly or vulnerable people may need assistance collecting groceries or prescriptions.
  • Need help? Call 211, a B.C. service that matches seniors with volunteers during the pandemic.
• Spring clean but keep donations for now
  • With everyone staying at home, it’s a great time to do some spring cleaning.
  • However, with the current physical distancing orders in place, most charities are not currently picking up goods from their donation bins right now.
  • For now, hold onto your donations. Please don’t leave them around the donation bins.
• Protect your home from floods and wildfire
  • British Columbians should make sure they are prepared for all emergencies, and this time at home is a good opportunity to reduce flood and wildfire risks.
  • Take time to clean gutters, maintain perimeter drains, clear storm drains of debris, ensure waterspouts are away from residences, and complete some simple landscaping to manage run-off.
  • Make sure to thin and trim trees, shrubs and other vegetation, and remove dead brush and other flammable material from the property. Also, make sure to use fire-resistant building and landscaping materials.

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APRIL 3, 2020 – Update from Simi Ono – Tsawout Community Health Nurse

We are living through unprecedented times with the current Coronavirus COVID-19 crisis. As a health team, we are trying to do whatever we can to continue to care for our community while balancing the risk of spread of the disease. 

Upon direction from Provincial Health Authorities and the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals, we will continue to provide nursing services on an essential basis. We did not make this decision lightly and are fully aware of the critical importance that health and well-being plays in our daily lives, especially during times of crisis.

Until advised otherwise, from 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday, we will be taking phone calls and seeing members one at a time for essential care on a case by base basis.  We have been directed to protect ourselves and our patients against Coronavirus spread which means only one community member can be permitted into the office at a time, and must be scheduled by calling us at 250-652-1149. We will have limited health staff on-site throughout the week.

Lois Williams, Health Manager

Will be available by phone to hear questions or concerns. To reach Lois, please call the Health office at 250-652-1149, extension 201.

Kelly Sharp, Nurse Practitioner

Will continue to be on site at the Tsawout Health Department and available for phone appointments and for essential visits on Tuesdays/Thursdays. To make an appointment with Kelly, please call Andresa at the health office, 250-652-1149, extension 210.

Simi Ono, Community Health Nurse, RN

Will continue to be on site at the Tsawout Health Department and available for phone appointments and essential visits on a various days of the week. To reach Simi, please call the Health office at 250-652-1149, extension 208.

Katherine Sebastiano, Homecare Nurse, LPN

Will be working from home and reach out to community members by phone to provide essential wellness check-ins. To reach Katherine, please call the Health office at 250-652-1149, extension 211.

Cathy Webster, Health Administration

Will be available to take phone calls and connect you with the health care team. To reach Cathy, please call or leave a voicemail at the main Health office number at 250-652-1149. If you reach voice mail greeting, please leave your name, telephone number and a short message, as messages are checked on a regular basis. 

Counselling 

24 Hour Crisis Line via Vancouver Island Crisis Line       1 -888- 494 -3888

Mathew with Men’s Group Tsawout

Is available to offer support/guidance on how to access Mental Health Resources.
To reach Mathew call or text at  250-634-3478 Monday-Friday from 9-4 pm.

Essential Care will be available to all our community members from babies, children, youth, adults and elders. As health care professionals, we will carefully assess each situation case by case. As health care professionals we are guided by provincial guidelines and nursing practice standards to determine what is Essential care. Please click on the link for further information. 

https://www.bccnp.ca/Standards/Covid_19/Documents/PHO_Letter_Re_Non_Essential_Services_Health_Profession_23March2020.pdf

We look forward to seeing you again once things are back to normal and it is safe.  We are thinking about all of our community members at this critical time when continuing with social distancing and/or self-isolation as needed. Thank you for taking these essential steps to keep our community safe and healthy.

Please do not hesitate to call the health department with any of your questions or concerns. Thank you to all our community members for their prayers, kind words of encouragement and well-wishes to keep our team safe. 

With gratitude,

Health care team

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MARCH 30, 2020 – Simi Ono (Community Health Nurse)

Coping with COVID-19

Please see these additional resources regarding Coronvirus and COVID-19 as we continue to help community members with up to date information and help you stay safe & healthy.

• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
• Keeping Kids Active
• Staying Connected
• Harm Reduction

MARCH 24, 2020 – Message from Chief Nick Claxton to Tsawout Community Members:

ÍY, SȻÁĆEL HÁLE/Greetings all of my Tsawout family,

On behalf of Tsawout First Nation leadership, I wanted to reach out to our community.

If there was ever a time and need to acknowledge our Tsawout ancestry, this is the time.

Although we all may be scared and confused by this pandemic; we all need to be reminded we are all in this together, we are not alone.

Although health officials across this country are learning each day/hour how to respond to this virus; let’s not forget our elder’s teachings of being kind to each other, and to also remember the laws teachings and beliefs of our creator XÁLS.

Exercise social distance; do not be part of transferring or carrying the virus.

Tsawout First Nation Leadership is taking this covid-19 pandemic very seriously. Please be assured that we are thinking of our elders, infants/toddler‘s, community members at large and service providers. We are taking action to protect our community and also to provide emergency relief.

This pandemic is something that is new to each and every one of us. Please be assured we are taking every precaution for safety, while maintaining and providing essential services to all.

We request to each and all; take this virus seriously, it is actually taking lives.

• We are doing what we can
• We have closed our Tsawout Offices, with the exception of essential services to community.
• We have provided 50.00 gift cards to each household, to help in purchasing cleaning supplies or for any other immediate or essential needs.
• We are working at distributing food fish out to each home within the village.
• We have also ordered cleaning supplies and hoping to distribute once delivered to Tsawout Administration.
• We are closing our reserve to all outside visitors (other than essential/emergency services).
• We are exploring any and all opportunities to provide food (hunting and fishing).
• We are exploring other opportunities for obtaining and distributing food supplies.
• We are exploring all opportunities for obtaining emergency funding and relief from Federal Government.
• We are continuing to meet as a council virtually, to ensure we are doing everything we can.

National Health and Provincial Health authorities have requested, and I too echo the request to exercise social distancing; please stay home and only venture out when it is necessary.

These extreme measures and cautions are for each of our own safety.

I also want to thank those who are assisting, going house to house with deliveries, and to our Administration (Eva Wilson and Rob Mortin), who are continuing to work in office to ensure our essential services to community are carried out.

Stay home, wash your hands frequently, don’t touch your face, disinfect your homes.

We are a surviving people; and will get through this together.

HÍSW̱ ḴE HÁLE,
Chief Nick Claxton

MARCH 23, 2020 – Simi Ono (Community Health Nurse)

Please see these additional resources regarding Coronvirus and COVID-19 as we continue to help community members with up to date information and help you stay safe & healthy.

• FNHA Recommends cancellation or postponement of community gatherings
• FNHA Advises against all gatherings to prevent covid-19 spreading
• CBC News: Pause sweat lodges and pipe ceremonies, restrict contact to stop COVID-19, say Indigenous doctors