Kainai Blood Tribe Admin Building - Standoff - LNN

By Dori Modney

Southern Alberta Indigenous communities receive share of $11.8 million in COVID-19 funding

Sep 28, 2020 | 1:48 PM

OTTAWA, ONT. — The Federal Government has taken action at all levels to protect the most vulnerable and support those who need it most.

On Monday (Sept 28), the Honourable Jim Carr, on behalf of Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced the 32 Indigenous organizations in the province of Alberta received approximately $11.8 million in funding through the Indigenous Community Support Fund’s off-reserve and urban stream, to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the Indigenous Community Support Fund, the Government of Canada is distributing a total of $90 million to Indigenous organizations and communities providing services to Indigenous Peoples living in urban areas, to support essential services to the most vulnerable and to prevent and respond to potential COVID-19 outbreaks.

Funding will aid with food security, mental health support services, homelessness, and required emergency supplies to ensure the health and safety of Indigenous Peoples.

The Native Counselling Services of Alberta received $221,200 in funding to assist Indigenous Peoples in accessing critical physical, mental and emotional supports, as well as food security through the delivery of food hampers and personal protective equipment. The organization also provides transportation to access services safely and effectively.

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Indigenous communities in Southern Alberta which have received a portion of the support funds, include the following:

— Blackfoot Confederacy — $800,000 — Urban/off reserve — Blood Band — $1,793,017 — First Nation

— Piikani Nation — $637,321 — First Nation

— Siksika Nation Band — $1,317,026 — First Nation

— Tsuut’ina Nation — $512,190 — First Nation

These organizations within Alberta are among approximately 260 Indigenous organizations supported to date by the Indigenous Community Support Fund to help address the critical needs of Indigenous Peoples living in urban centers across the country impacted by the pandemic.