TNG calls for unity with its neighbours in the Cariboo-Chilcotin to get through the increasing COVID-19 cases in the area together

Courtesy of the Tsilhqot'in National Government:

The Tŝilhqot’in Nation is calling for unity with its neighbours in the Cariboo-Chilcotin to get through the increasing COVID-19 cases in the area together. For several weeks the Cariboo-Chilcotin has seen increasing COVID-19 cases. While there have been numerous examples of the communities supporting each other through this challenging time, there have also been troubling reports of racism towards Tŝilhqot’in members.

Tŝilhqot’in members are reporting racism in their attempts to receive services in Williams Lake, and even being denied service, with the reasoning provided it was because they are from the Tŝilhqot’in Nation. This is discrimination; residents of Williams Lake have not been denied service because of their geographical location despite increasing cases throughout the city.

The Tŝilhqot’in Nation understands that additional restrictions and measures have been adopted by governments and businesses to ensure that COVID-19 does not spread to others, such as mask wearing requirements, checking temperatures and social distancing. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation has also implemented numerous COVID-19 restrictions and measures in each of its communities to prevent the spread. However, there is no justification for denying service to those who live on the reserve or on the basis of geographical location.

Moreover, there have been many opinions and comments shared through online public forums and on social media about Indigenous peoples being responsible for bringing COVID-19 to the area and spreading it to others. The COVID-19 disease is not isolated to Indigenous peoples. COVID-19 is a disease that impacts everyone and we will have to work together to overcome it.

The Tŝilhqot’in Nation is calling for unity and for each of us to work together to protect our families, elders and communities. Rather than pointing blame, which only causes division and makes a challenging time that much more challenging, let’s work together to stop the spread and defeat the COVID-19 virus.

TNG Tribal Chair Joe Alphonse said:

"We thank our members for stepping up to support one another and we recognize businesses such as Telus who generously donated groceries to our communities during our community lockdowns so that our members could stay home. It’s important to recognize that there has been some good will and positive gestures during this difficult time. It’s outrageous and unacceptable that our people are experiencing racism as a result of a global pandemic. The virus is all around us, found across the entire world and country, and yet our people are being blamed for its arrival in the area and its spread. That is not logical, it’s just racist. The virus is challenging enough without having to contend with racism on top of it all. We want to share our experience and message because we hope that people will stop pointing blame at one another, stop creating false enemies and remember that our real fight is against COVID-19 and we must work together to defeat it.”

While Cariboo Regional District Board Chair Margo Wagner stated:

"Racism is unacceptable at any time, but especially when all the people who live in the Cariboo-Chilcotin need to stay strong together. Everyone is doing what they can to stop the spread of the virus. Now we must double down on our efforts to stop racism from infecting our community. We can emerge from this pandemic with stronger ties between communities across the region and a renewed spirit of unity and respect. But only if we treat each other with kindness and care at a personal level.”