Tansi, good afternoon, Mr. Chair, and committee members.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this process. I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am presenting today from Treaty Six territory, the traditional territory of the Cree and homelands of the Métis.
My name is Tara Campbell. I am Swampy Cree from Treaty Five territory in Manitoba. I am the executive director of the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority, often referred to as NITHA.
Since 1998 NITHA has provided third-level support functions that serve to strengthen the first nations health service delivery model and contribute to the improved health status of first nations communities.
NITHA is governed by a board of chiefs representing the Cree, Dene and Dakota of our four partners: the Prince Albert Grand Council, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. Combined, they represent 33 first nations communities in northern Saskatchewan, with a population exceeding 55,000. Thirteen communities provide primary care services, and the remaining provide community health. The four partners have functioned under their own respective health transfer agreements for over 20 years.
NITHA services include medical health officer, disease surveillance and health status monitoring, communicable disease control, infection prevention, research, policy development and training. We also provide specialized program support in areas including mental health, environmental health and nursing.
Over the years communities have been impacted by wildfires, floods and interruptions to critical infrastructure such as potable water. Such events remind us that increased adequate support is crucial to our communities as emergency management efforts often sustain major financial and personnel limitations.
Due to remoteness and single-road access, our communities are at an increased level of vulnerability and inability to respond. Given factors such as overcrowding and limited access to quality health care, food security and potable drinking water, our communities are more susceptible to COVID-19.
One impact during this pandemic has been a lack of consultation with first nations in provincial planning and response, specifically in regard to reopening. The province is moving forward with reopening plans despite the number of cases rising in the north. We are often overlooked or are an afterthought in planning.
Food security issues result from travel restrictions, road closures and/or remoteness.
Communication issues are linked to language barriers. Adequate resources are needed to support translations.
There is a shortage of supplies, including PPE for health care workers and cleaning supplies. There continues to be a demand for access to thermometers for clients for the purpose of isolating and screening.
Testing supplies are not readily available. We continue to experience difficulties in obtaining testing swabs through the province, despite having 16 designated testing sites throughout the NITHA communities.
We have delays in accessing PPE. On-reserve populations' PPE in Saskatchewan are distributed by the province, and unfulfilled requests are then forwarded to the national emergency stockpile.
Nursing capacity continues to remain a critical issue, as does medical transportation. Workers and clients who are transporting for out-of-community appointments are put at risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Regarding mental health and addictions, ensuring services are available for those in need is an issue.
We have mitigated some impacts. Partners have distributed essential supplies to their on- and off-reserve members, and are supporting their communities with surge capacity and food security.
NITHA provides translation of public health orders in both Cree and Dene.