Month: June 2020

Categories
News

Outdoor Sports & Recreation Facilities

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force is advising the community that Outdoor Sports and Recreation facilities in the community have been approved to re-open. This directive rescinds and replaces directive #15, dated March 20, 2020.

The Task Force has advised MCK Sports and Recreation to start the process to re-open these facilities. This includes ensuring the proper safety measure and signage is in place.  This gradual re-opening of outdoor recreation facilities will start the week of June 22nd. Official opening dates of each park will be forthcoming from the MCK Sports and Recreation.

We are in support of empowering the community with respective prevention measures while enjoying activities that improve our physical and mental wellness. Working as a community, we can limit and manage the spread of the virus.

Categories
Daily Bulletin

Healthy Cooking while on Self-Isolation

Refreshing Strawberry Treats

It’s starting to feel a lot like summer.  Here are two refreshing recipes to enjoy the first fruit of the season, our well-loved Ken’niiohontésha.

 

Enjoy and keep well,

By Chantal Haddad PDt, Nutritionist

Fresh Fruit with Strawberry Sauce

Strawberry sauce:

2 cups            fresh or frozen strawberries (thawed)

2 tbsp            maple syrup

1 tbsp            fresh lemon juice

 

1                      melon

1 cup             fruit; blueberries, kiwi, raspberries

 

  • In blender, puree strawberries.  Add maple syrup and lemon juice

  • Halve melon; scoop out seeds.  Cut flesh into bite-size pieces. 

  • Drizzle sauce over fruit.

  • Makes 4 servings.

Note: You can use any fresh fruit in season instead of cantaloupe and blueberries.

Recipe from “New Light Cooking” by Anne Lindsay

Wild Berry Frozen Yogurt Bark

3 cups                vanilla Greek yogurt

1 Tbsp                maple syrup

4                         fresh strawberries, chopped

¼ cup               fresh raspberries

¼ cup               fresh blueberries

  • Line a baking tray with parchment or wax paper or foil and spread the yogurt about ½ inch thick.
  • Drizzle the maple syrup over the yogurt
  • Sprinkle the fruits on top and place in the freezer for 2-4 hours or until it is completely frozen.
  • Remove from the freezer and use a sharp knife to break the bark into pieces. Eat immediately after serving.

 

NOTE:  The yogurt will start to defrost after sitting out for more than 10 minutes, so only pull this delectable treat out only when ready to consume! Leftover bark can be stored in the freezer in food bags or airtight containers for up to 2 weeks.

Categories
Daily Bulletin Featured Bulletin

KMHC Communiqué – Father’s Day Gift Drop-off

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) wishes to inform the community that this Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21, 2020, families will be able to drop off gifts for their loved ones who reside at KMHC. Although it is for Father’s Day, KMHC also encourages family members to drop off gifts for any family member that is a KMHC resident as well to show their love and support during these trying times.

Gifts will be strictly limited to items that are easily disinfected:

  • Items such as Soaps, Shampoos, Souvenir Items
  • Prepackaged Snacks (Store-bought)
  • Bottles of Water/Cans of Soda
  • Flowers will be accepted
  • Clothing

Please clearly label all clothing and gifts with the resident’s name, do NOT seal envelopes for cash, and do NOT wrap gifts, as the wrapping will be discarded for infection control measures.

KMHC will be using the COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Site Tent for drop-off delivery. Please be assured that the tent area will be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly for Sunday, June 21 for everyone’s safety; note that no testing is conducted on the weekends for the COVID-19 Testing Site. The staff will be wearing the proper protective gear when accepting the gift deliveries to comply with the preventative measures in place for COVID-19. Family members are asked to come by car and remain in their car to deliver the gifts.

TIME:                9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

DATE:               Sunday, June 21, 2020

LOCATION:      KMHC COVID-19 Testing Site

WHO:              Families of KMHC Residents

Following Father’s Day, a drop-off day will occur every second (2nd) Sunday after June 21 (July 5, July 19, August 2, etc..) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The same restrictions on gifts apply.

KMHC thanks you for your continued patience and understanding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Categories
News

Outdoor Fitness & Tennis now Permitted

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force wishes to advise the community that, effective immediately, there have been updates to Directives pertaining to Outdoor Fitness Activities and Tennis.

Outdoor Fitness classes will be permitted for groups of up to 8 people, provided special measures listed in the Directive are observed, which include physical distancing and other health recommendations. Special recommendations are also available for Instructors and Facilitators to keep their clients safe. At this time, no indoor fitness programs will be permitted.

Due to the inherent nature of there being physical distance between opponents, the sport of Singles Tennis will also be permitted. All recommendations for health and safety should also be observed.

The full details on the Health Recommendations for each Directive can be viewed at covid-19.kmhc.ca/directives.  

Please note, the Tentative Date of June 22, 2020 has been set for the following businesses in the community: Hair Salons, Esthetics, and Therapeutic Services. Further details will be forthcoming.

These measures are put in place to help minimize the spread of the virus within our community and to help protect our most vulnerable. Working as a community, we can limit and manage its spread.  

Categories
Daily Bulletin Featured Bulletin

KMHC Communiqué – Community Health Check Part Two

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) wishes to inform the community that a second Health Check has recently begun.  The goal of the health check is to identify those with COVID-related symptoms and ensure testing if required. The health check will also allow the Task Force to better understand the health of the community and make important decisions regarding the Phase 2 re-opening of the economy.

Phone calls are already underway to everyone in the Kahnawá:ke Directory, as well as those who have submitted their phone number to healthcheck@kmhc.ca.​  If you do not have a landline and would like to submit your number, please submit to this email address in order to receive a phone call.

As an additional component to this second community Health Check, there will be an online version Self Health Check for those not listed in the Directory, may have missed their call or want to conduct a Self Health Check. Every person who completes the online version will receive a follow-up call from KMHC. 

Community members are always encouraged to call  450-638-3930 ext. 2225, 2275, 2276, or 2296, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday to be given a Health Check over the phone to see if they require testing.

Click here to conduct a COVID-19 SELF HEALTH CHECK

Categories
News

Notice regarding Business Interruption Fund assistance for Commercial Rents

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke wishes to inform the business community that reimbursements through the Tewatohnhi’saktha-administered Business Interruption Fund for all commercial rent claims are currently under review due to concerns with certain landlord rental fees. Landlords and business tenants have been informed that payments have been put on hold during the review period.

The Business Interruption Fund, which is part of the Kahnawà:ke Emergency Relief Fund, was created to provide emergency relief on an ‘as needed’ basis to assist those businesses that may be struggling during the pandemic. However, Chief & Council made the decision to conduct a review on this specific matter due to some extremely large and extraordinary amounts of money being paid through the Fund.

During this review period each rental situation will be evaluated based on information provided by the owner of the building as to the financial position/status of the rental property.

“The Kahnawà:ke Emergency Relief Measures Board felt it was very difficult to support commercial rents being charged to local businesses when, in several instances, tenants’ businesses have been or remain closed,” said Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton. “This is especially concerning if the property has no financial debt or obligation. Some of the rent charges were eye-opening in their amounts. We have to consider the best use of community funds.”

The Board is committed to continue working with the landlords of these properties to come to a workable and fair solution regarding this matter, given the parameters and individual situations.

Please note that the Commercial Rent Reimbursement Criteria includes (but is not limited to) some of the following:

  • Claims must be made by the rental property owner
  • Documents of rental agreements must be provided
  • Landlords will be required to provide documentation to demonstrate their need via mortgage loan documentation from their banking institution

For further information on the criteria for commercial rent reimbursements for landlords/renters, visit www.kahnawake.com/relief or contact Tewatohnhi’saktha at 450-638-4280.

Categories
News

Updates on certain Directives

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force wishes to advise the community that there have been updates to certain Directives.

All Kahnawa’kehró:non who travel to the United States are still required to self-isolate for 14 days, according to the Quarantine Act of Canada. However, while all travel outside of the Province of Quebec is highly discouraged, there is no requirement to self-isolate upon return. The Task Force is encouraging all community members who wish to travel outside of the province to be extra vigilant with the current health and safety measures.

Please note, all employees from KMHC, MCK, KSCS, KFB, KPK’s, KEC, KYC, KOR, Tewa, and Step by Step, are not permitted to travel outside of the province at this time, in accordance with each organizations personnel policy. 

The Task Force is also advising all businesses that it is recommended that all customers wear a mask in their establishment. Community members and business owners are also called upon to ensure measures are taken to ensure adherence to this directive.

All Directives can be viewed at covid-19.kmhc.ca/directives.

These measures are put in place to help minimize the spread of the virus within our community and to help protect our most vulnerable. Working as a community, we can limit and manage its spread.  

Categories
Uncategorized

Community concerns to COVID-19 Task Force Directives

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke wishes to inform the community of ongoing discussions between the Council of Chiefs and Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force regarding community concerns on business reopening and non-local access directives.

The Council of Chiefs and the Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force met on June 2nd, 2020 to review and discuss concerns pertaining to the re-opening of business and access to the territory by non-locals. The discussion took place as a measure to address the strong community reaction to the directives that took effect on June 1st, 2020. In addition to updates on various activities and incidents experienced during the first day of business opening, there was discussion on the scope of the directives and community concerns and reactions.

Following the meeting, the Task Force issued a clarification that the directive for non-locals accessing the territory is intended solely for direct family members of Kahnawa’kehró:non. Regarding the business reopening directive, the Task Force confirmed that by the end of the week, there will be a thorough evaluation of the information in order to identify modifications, such as hours of operation, of the directive. These changes will be in accordance with the information and data being collected over the course of the first days of implementation.

“While the Task Force has been given full and necessary authority to mitigate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a non-political entity,” stated Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton. “They are concerned first and foremost with the health and safety of the community, and with proceeding in a way that is based on science and evidence. However, as the elected leaders of the community, the Council of Chiefs also must consider the community responses and reactions to changes of directives which will impact their daily realities. The Council and the Task Force must collaborate to ensure this is done in a balanced manner, and today was a good reminder of the importance of that.”

“Council Chiefs have been receiving calls continuously from community members on the measures and directives in place since the pandemic began,” the grand Chief added. “Many of us hear directly from concerned parents, grandparents, elders, organizational leaders and business owners on a daily basis. We want to assure the community that we continue to remain available to hear your concerns and will do our upmost to ensure that all community interests are protected, defended and balanced with community needs”.

The Council of Chiefs will be holding further discussion with the Task Force regarding the scope and conditions of business reopening during the evaluation process later in the week.

Categories
Uncategorized

Clarification – Family members who live outside of the community may visit Kahnawake

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force wishes to make a clarification on the press release issued Saturday, May 30th entitled, ‘Non-local invited guests to be permitted in Kahnawake on June 1st.’

The release stated that it was permitted for non-locals to visit, but it should have read that ‘Family members’ who are invited guests may be on the Territory.’

This clarification is being made in an effort to relieve stress and anxiety that many family members are experiencing during this very difficult time. Visitors are asked to please respect the following measures:

  • Physical distancing of 6 feet be maintained at all times
  • All visits remain outdoors in groups of eight (8) or less
  • Health Screening for signs and symptoms of family visitors is highly recommended
  • Family members traveling from other provinces are recommended to self-isolate for 14 days 
  • Family members who are traveling from the USA are still subject to the mandatory 14 days self isolation.

It is important to note that any visitors must be invited guests of Kahnawà:ke residents. Those found in the Territory without reason (not a guest or not for commerce purposes) are subject to fines.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Categories
Uncategorized

Update on Re-Opening of Kahnawake Business

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force wishes to update the community on the status of the ‘Re-Opening of Kahnawà:ke Business’ that began yesterday.

While much planning went into the Re-Opening, the sheer number of clients/customers that came to the Territory caused an increased level of anxiety within the community.

The amount of traffic has dropped significantly from yesterday. However, many concerns remain.

“The pandemic is still here, will be here for at least the next year, and a great many Kahnawa’kehró:non are both fearful and frustrated,” said Commissioner of Public safety Lloyd Phillips. “The Re-Opening has brought a lot of these feelings to the surface and leadership – including the Task Force – must be sensitive to this reality. We all share these feelings and cannot ignore them.”

The Task Force is continuously monitoring and carefully evaluating the current situation and will compile and assess the first phase of the Re-Opening. This information will be shared with the community by the end of this week.

“Every measure has been taken to open safely, and to protect our elders and the at-risk population,” Phillips concluded. “Once we are able to assess the information we compile, we can make any changes we deem necessary to alleviate the community’s concerns.”