COVID-19: Response & Resilience
The Ktunaxa Nation Council government building is closed.
The Government building will remain closed until further notice.
April 16, 2021 (Update Sept. 8, 2021)
The building, including the gymnasium, is still closed to the public and not available for public rental.
This is to slow the transmission rates and protect Citizens, Communities and Staff.
During this period, staff will be working from home.
The only staff who may access the building will be Sector Directors, and some core staff in Facilities, Governance, IT, HR, Flexinet, Health Clinic and Finance.
Front door FOBs will be deactivated for everyone else.
Lands staff doing field work will access their vehicle keys and sanitation kits by appointment.
If you are Lands staff doing field work, please contact your manager to arrange access.
If you are staff and wonder whether your FOB will be deactivated for this period, please contact your manager.
If you are staff and you require building access during this period,
please contact your manager who will work with you to schedule an access time with Reception.
Email reception at KNCReception@ktunaxa.org.
Thank you for your cooperation as we prioritize Citizen, Community and staff health and safety.
Update on Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child and Family Services
April 15, 2021
KKCFSS will continue to offer all services and remain open while operating
within the confines of the provincial guidelines and continue to follow COVID-19 procedures.
During this time all non-essential travel is prohibited for staff.
All meetings are to be done virtually, if possible.
Please use discretion as you know when a meeting and/or travel is essential.
Please remain diligent, wash and sanitize hands, wear masks, and keep your distance when communicating in common areas.
KKCFSS (250) 489-4563
After-Hours 1-800-663-9122 or 250-310-1234
Akisqnuk (250) 342-6379
Lower Kootenay – RCMP: 911 (250) 428-7414
Crisis Line (250) 310-6789
Suicide Crisis 1-800-784-2433
Foundry Online 1-833-308-6379
Health Clinic Update
April 15, 2021
The Ktunaxa Nation Council Health Clinic is taking appointments via telephone,
and will continue to conduct health appointments by phone, unless in-person visits are absolutely required.
To set up an appointment, please call 250-420-2700.
Open with reduced in-person services from 8:30 to 4:30 daily.
Social Services Update
April 15, 2021
As the KNGB enters into the two-week shutdown, all Social Sector staff who are able to work from home are required to do so.
As we continue to respond to the impacts of Covid-19 within an ongoing overdose crisis within British Columbia, Scotty’s, Street Angel, Detox, and Recovery programs will continue to operate as usual, with all Covid-19 related precautions in place.
Enhanced screening and cleaning procedures will be made available at these facilities,
as we endeavor to minimize the disruption to our clients while continuing to ensure their health and safety, and the health and safety of our staff as well.
February 24, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
FNHA: What you need to know about the COVID-19 Vaccine
February 16, 2021
Ktunaxa Health Covid Information Session VIDEO
Ktunaxa Citizens were invited to join the free online information session
with Community Nurses Brittany Groff, Dallas Cardinal, Heather McDonald and Sara Chorney,
as well as other panelists from community health centres and guests from First Nations Health Authority.
The panel answered your questions about the vaccine, its efficacy, roll-out, access, and what to expect when you get vaccinated.
National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health
This features many resources, including podcasts, factsheets and other resources are intended to inform public health responses in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities throughout the country.
Mental Health Resources
Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child and Family Service Society
Counselling Intake every Friday 10am-2pm
Address: 1007 Baker Street, Cranbrook BC
Phone: 250-489-4563
Foundry BC
Counselling services (online) at 1-833-308-6379
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
If you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may be.
310Mental Health Support
Call 310-6789 (no area code needed) for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.
Kid’s Help Phone
Call 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a professional counsellor, 24 hours a day.
Alcohol & Drug Information and Referral Service
Call 1-800-663-1441 (toll-free in B.C.) or 604-660-9382 (in the Lower Mainland) to find resources and support.
Other Mental Health Resources During COVID-19
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health-safety/covid19_stressmanagement_5_accessible.pdf
https://info.starlingminds.com/covid19-free-mental-health
Children and Youth Supports for COVID-19
https://www.cps.ca/en/blog-blogue/how-to-help-youth-tackle-the-blues-during-covid-19
https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/Anxiety%20Individual%20handout_Eng%2004_03_2020_v2.pdf
Newsletter: Aboriginal Wellness Resources
Provincial Government Site: Managing Stress, Anxiety and Depression
The Hope for Wellness Help Line is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week to support members of your community experiencing emotional distress and may be reached directly by dialling 1-855-242-3310 or via online chat.
Reminder: 24-Hour Crisis Line
The KUU-US Crisis Line Society operates a 24-hour provincial aboriginal crisis line for
Adults/Elders (250-723-4050),
Child/Youth (250-723-2040),
Toll Free Line (18005888717).
Resources for Parents
“Little Learners” Coronovirus Booklet for Kids
Thanks to Tara at www.autismlittlelearners.com
A selection of online resources chosen by early years educators
Helpful information for families around talking to children about COVID-19, self-care tips, activities to do at home, how to wash our hands video, how to social distance and a grand 250+ activity idea list. Thank you to the team at Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Child and Family Services for these links!
Sesame Street: How to wash your hands
Kids Help Phone: How to cope with social distancing
Kids Out and About: 250 ways to keep your family sane
New Emergency Relief Support Fund and added service flexibility for parents of children with special needs.
Families throughout B.C. to benefit from enhanced digital library.
Current Support Summary
Download this regularly updated summary of available Federal and Provincial supports, including everything from CERB to GST credits, mortgage supports, and more.
Most recent update: May 15th, 2020
Also, see the Province of B.C.’s website.
LINKS of INTEREST
New Testing Sites Open for Pre-Screened People:
There are six testing sites in ?amak?is Ktunaxa:
Sparwood, Cranbrook, Golden, Trail, Nelson and Revelstoke.
This is worth checking out if you’re experiencing worrisome symptoms and have used the online self-screening tool and called Health Link at 8-1-1 to be pre-screened by a health care professional.
Assembly of First Nations: COVID-19 Response Page
Includes video address from National Chief Perry Bellegarde
First Nations Health Authority: For COVID-19 response, FNHA (in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Office of the Provincial Health Officer and regional health authorities) supports communities through direct coordination of response to health and wellness related requests. FNHA dedicated COVID-19 website
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC): FAQs about COVID-19
Will support and empower Indigenous communities to, wherever possible during the COVID-19 event, independently deliver response and address the socioeconomic conditions in their communities. ISC supports Emergency Management on reserve through the Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP).
For non health-related COVID-19 questions and requests (for example critical infrastructure, income assistance, Jordan’s Principle, emergency management, etc.) please email: aadnc.iscbccovid19.aandc@canada.ca.
Official News Releases
All Provincial News Releases can be found at: https://news.gov.bc.ca
All Interior Health News Releases can be found at: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/latest-news/
All Prime Minister News Releases can be found at: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/releases
Regional Resources
The Regional District of East Kootenay: Regional Snapshot
The most up-to-date source for regional news.
Provincial Resources
Click here for more information on COVID-19, latest updates on testing strategy, self-isolation, and personal and community protection.
For other medical-related questions, please call 8-1-1.
To take the online self-assessment tool.
For non-health information on COVID-19, call 1 888 COVID-19 or click here.
View the current Provincial Health Officer’s orders.
For the COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and planning materials.
Do you know the difference between “self-monitoring,” “self-isolation” and “isolation?” Neither did we until we read THIS.
Federal Resources
Up-to-date information on COVID-19 and Indigenous communities.
General information on Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Awareness resources such as downloadable posters/infographics on Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
Financial Resiliency Links
Indigenous Services Canada: First Nations Community Guide on Accessing Additional Supports
Employment Insurance and Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
Other local information:
Lab Hours
Tamarack Labs at the Tamarack Centre are reducing hours.
At-risk patients can visit between 8 and 10 am.
Not at-risk patients from 10 until 3.
Call ahead if you would like to determine your “at-risk” status.
Phone: 250-426-3775
