THUNDER BAY — Nishnawbe Aski Nation is establishing a task team to lead its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said the team will be led by public health and preventative medicine specialist Dr. Natalie Bocking.
Other members include Dr. Jane Philpott, NAN's special advisor on health; family physician Dr. Michael Kirlew; Lynne Innes, nurse practitioner and CEO of Weeneebayko Area Health Authority; nurse practitioner Mae Katt; and Michelle Gervais, emergency management response specialist.
"In our continued efforts to decrease risks to our communities from the COVID-19 pandemic, NAN is taking extraordinary steps to ensure that everything possible is done to keep our First Nations and members safe and supported," Fiddler said in a statement.
He said more experts will be brought on to the task team as required.
Traditional Indigenous Knowledge Keepers will also be consulted.
The team's initial assignment is to develop a protocol to streamline communciations between NAN, First Nations, Tribal Councils, area health authorities and the appropriate federal and provincial government departments.
"This protocol will ensure that the most up-to-date and relevant information is made available to our communities as quickly and accurately as posslble," Fiddler said.
