Military lands in Shamattawa First Nation to aid with COVID-19 outbreak

A Hercules militaryaircraft from the Canadian Armed Forces arrived inShamattawa First NationWednesday afternoon to assist with the community's COVID-19 outbreak.

Indigenous Services Canada saidmedics and additional rangers willconduct a full assessment over the next 48 hours to determine what additional resources are requiredto meet the community's needs.

"As the emergency at Shamattawa First Nation evolves, we will continue to work closely with the nation and all partners," the statement from the federal government reads.

Canada's Department ofNational Defence said theliaison and reconnaissance team was dispatched from the forces' base inShilo, Man. to rapidly assess the situation.

As of Wednesday,48 people have been removed from the community and sent to Winnipeg to isolate, according to astatement from ISC. The federal government says it's working with the First Nation to secure more isolation accommodations.

On Tuesday, Shamattawa Chief Eric Redhead wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling on the federal government to moveelders out of the remote, fly-in community, located 745 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.

The letter was also signedbyGrand Chief Garrison Settee ofManitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak,a political advocacy group that represents 30 northern Manitoba First Nations.

Redhead said 25 per cent of the community, which has approximately 1,300 people, have tested positive for the virus.

Four members of the Canadian Red Cross are also there to assist with the COVID-19 response efforts.

Military arrives in Shamattawa First Nation

4 years ago

Duration 2:12

The chief of Shamattawa First Nation says members of the Canadian military have completed a reconnaissance mission, and more help might be on the way in the northern Manitoba community's COVID-19 fight.