22.17^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jan 12, 2021 10:32 PM -

B.C. First Nation faces COVID-19 outbreak; community leaders issue racism warnings

Share On

b-c-first-nation-faces-covid-19-outbreak-community-leaders-issue-racism-warnings

Specimens to be tested for COVID-19 are seen at LifeLabs after being logged upon receipt at the company's lab, in Surrey, B.C., on March 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A First Nations community on Vancouver Island is fighting to contain a COVID-19 outbreak while facing intolerance from some members of the surrounding community.

Cowichan Tribes general manager Derek Thompson says some members of his Duncan-area First Nation have faced discrimination in the community since COVID-19 cases were first reported this month.

Thompson says there were no COVID-19 cases among their members for the first 10 months of the pandemic, but that has increased to 73 people since Jan. 1.

The First Nation has issued a stay-at-home order for tribal members until Jan. 22 in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Duncan-area politicians, including Green Leader Sonia Furstenau and North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring, have denounced what they say are recent disappointing and racist behaviours of some people toward the Cowichan Tribes.

The First Nation is the largest single band in B.C. with about 4,900 members and Thompson says it will begin administering 600 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to elders on Wednesday.

Latest news

alleged-driver-in-canadas-biggest-gold-heist-sentenced-to-13-years-in-u-s-gun-smuggling-case

Alleged Driver in Canada's Biggest Gold Heist Sentenced to 13 Years in U.S. Gun Smuggling Case

Durante King-McLean, the alleged getaway driver in the largest gold theft in Canadian history, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison by a U.S. court on weapons trafficking charges. The 27-year-old faces charges in Canada for allegedly driving the truck that fled with the stolen gold during the massive heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport in April 2023. Authorities say King-McLean fled Canada shortly after the robbery. He was arrested in September 2023 during a traffic stop by Pennsylvania State Police. A search of his rental vehicle uncovered 65 handguns hidden inside various soc

canada-and-switzerland-set-for-crucial-fifa-world-cup-group-b-clash-in-vancouver

Canada and Switzerland Set for Crucial FIFA World Cup Group B Clash in Vancouver

Canada and Switzerland will face off today at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver in their final Group B match of the FIFA World Cup. Canadian captain Alphonso Davies is expected to make his tournament debut after missing Canada's first two group-stage matches due to a hamstring injury. The match is of great importance for both teams as they look to secure top spot in the group and strengthen their position heading into the knockout stage. A win or a draw for Canada would ensure the team finishes first in Group B and earns the opportunity to play its next-round match on home soil in Vancouver. Both

porter-airlines-cuts-fuel-surcharge-on-reward-flights-amid-falling-oil-prices

Porter Airlines Cuts Fuel Surcharge on Reward Flights Amid Falling Oil Prices

Canadian carrier Porter Airlines has reduced the temporary fuel surcharge on bookings for its new VIPorter reward flights from $40 to $20, effective Tuesday, citing lower oil prices and improving market conditions. Although oil prices have remained volatile since the conflict involving Iran began in February and are still nearly 50 per cent higher than a year ago, the airline says it plans to eliminate the surcharge entirely once market conditions stabilize further. Porter's decision has raised expectations that other airlines may also reduce their fuel surcharges in the coming weeks. The surc

u-s-kayaker-dies-after-capsizing-on-b-c-s-okanagan-lake

U.S. Kayaker Dies After Capsizing on B.C.'s Okanagan Lake

A tragic boating accident on British Columbia's Okanagan Lake has claimed the life of an American kayaker after strong winds caused two people to capsize. West Kelowna RCMP said the incident occurred Friday evening near the Westbank First Nation beach when two kayakers were caught in sudden and dangerous wind conditions on the lake. While attempting to swim back to shore, one of the kayakers disappeared underwater. People on nearby boats quickly responded and managed to rescue one of the kayakers, but the second person could not be located. The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue team later rec

house-destroyed-in-wildfire-near-b-c-s-lytton-village-ahead-of-2021-fire-anniversary

House Destroyed in Wildfire Near B.C.'s Lytton Village Ahead of 2021 Fire Anniversary

A home has been completely destroyed by an out-of-control wildfire near the Village of Lytton, B.C. The incident comes just days before the fifth anniversary of the devastating 2021 wildfire that destroyed much of the community and claimed two lives. Officials say it remains unclear how many other structures may have been damaged by the current blaze, as emergency crews have not yet been able to fully assess the affected areas. According to the latest update from the B.C. Wildfire Service, the Saw Creek wildfire near Lytton has now burned approximately 704 hectares. However, the agency noted

Related News

post card alt

U.S. Kayaker Dies After Capsizing on B.C.'s Okanagan Lake

A tragic boating accident on British Columbia's Okanagan Lake has claimed the life of an American kayaker after strong winds caused two people to capsize. West Kelowna RCMP said the incident occurred Friday evening near the Westbank First Nation beach when two kayakers were caught in sudden and dangerous wind conditions on the lake. While attempting to swim back to shore, one of the kayakers disappeared underwater. People on nearby boats quickly responded and managed to rescue one of the kayakers, but the second person could not be located. The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue team later rec

post card alt

House Destroyed in Wildfire Near B.C.'s Lytton Village Ahead of 2021 Fire Anniversary

A home has been completely destroyed by an out-of-control wildfire near the Village of Lytton, B.C. The incident comes just days before the fifth anniversary of the devastating 2021 wildfire that destroyed much of the community and claimed two lives. Officials say it remains unclear how many other structures may have been damaged by the current blaze, as emergency crews have not yet been able to fully assess the affected areas. According to the latest update from the B.C. Wildfire Service, the Saw Creek wildfire near Lytton has now burned approximately 704 hectares. However, the agency noted

post card alt

B.C. records more than 300 wildfires so far this season, most now extinguished

More than 300 wildfires have been recorded in British Columbia since April 1, with most of them now extinguished, according to the BC Wildfire Service and provincial officials. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said there are currently 20 active wildfires across the province. Five of those fires were reported within the past 24 hours. According to Parmar, 14 of the active fires were caused by human activity, while four were sparked by lightning. The causes of the remaining two fires are still under investigation. Data from the BC Wildfire Service shows that 333 wildfires have been recorded in Briti

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2024 AKASH BROADCASTING INC.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

BC Children's Hospital