Skip to Main content

16.11°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports 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

mexico-rejects-claims-of-separate-u-s-trade-deal-reaffirms-support-for-cusma

Mexico rejects claims of separate U.S. trade deal, reaffirms support for CUSMA

Mexico is not seeking a separate bilateral trade agreement with the United States that would exclude Canada, Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto Velasco Álvarez said Friday, reaffirming his country's commitment to the trilateral Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Speaking alongside Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand at a joint news conference in Ottawa, Álvarez said Mexico remains committed to maintaining the existing three-country trade pact. He said ongoing bilateral meetings with the United States should not be interpreted as an effort to sideline Canada.

b-c-premier-david-eby-to-push-for-u-s-style-anti-racketeering-law-at-first-ministers-meetings

B.C. Premier David Eby to push for U.S.-style anti-racketeering law at First Ministers' meetings

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he will urge Canada's premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney to consider introducing federal anti-racketeering legislation similar to the United States' Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in an effort to combat extortion and organized crime. According to Eby, he plans to raise the proposal during next week's Council of the Federation meeting and the First Ministers' Meeting. He said recent arrests in a U.S. law enforcement operation, in which charges were also laid against three British Columbia residents, highlight the need for s

ontario-cabinet-minister-stan-cho-resigns-after-controversy-over-toronto-hotel-expense-claims

Ontario cabinet minister Stan Cho resigns after controversy over Toronto hotel expense claims

Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, Stan Cho, has resigned from cabinet after facing criticism over thousands of dollars in hotel expenses claimed while living in Toronto. According to reports, Cho claimed $16,203 in taxpayer-funded hotel accommodation expenses over the past three years, despite his home being only a few kilometres from Queen's Park. The expense claims were for stays at downtown Toronto hotels. In a statement, Cho described the claims as a "significant mistake" and confirmed he has repaid the full amount to the provincial government. The Ontario government has n

Highway 1 through Fraser Canyon reopens with reduced speed limit as Brunswick Complex wildfire response continues

Highway 1 through British Columbia's Fraser Canyon has reopened to traffic, although wildfire crews continue efforts to contain the Brunswick Complex fires in the area. According to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation, the highway reopened Friday morning with single-lane alternating traffic in both directions. A reduced speed limit of 60 km/h remains in effect along a 27-kilometre section near Boston Bar to support emergency operations and improve safety. The Brunswick Complex wildfires have forced hundreds of residents in Boston Bar and nearby communities to leave their homes. Authorities hav

CanadaJul 17, 2026

Brampton man identified as homicide victim after body found in Stoney Creek

Hamilton Police have identified a man whose body was found in a Stoney Creek creek on Wednesday morning as 29-year-old Taranpreet Singh Sidhu of Brampton. Investigators have confirmed the case is being treated as a homicide. According to Hamilton Police, Sidhu's body was discovered in a creek near Fruitland Road North and Harbour Drive after a passerby spotted him partially submerged in the water on nearby rocks. Emergency responders attended the scene and confirmed he had died. Detective Sergeant Robert Delaney said Sidhu came to Canada from India in 2022 and had worked as a truck driver whil

Related News

Mexico rejects claims of separate U.S. trade deal, reaffirms support for CUSMA

Mexico rejects claims of separate U.S. trade deal, reaffirms support for CUSMA

Mexico is not seeking a separate bilateral trade agreement with the United States that would exclude Canada, Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto Velasco Álvarez said Friday, reaffirming his country's commitment to the trilateral Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Speaking alongside Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand at a joint news conference in Ottawa, Álvarez said Mexico remains committed to maintaining the existing three-country trade pact. He said ongoing bilateral meetings with the United States should not be interpreted as an effort to sideline Canada.

B.C. Premier David Eby to push for U.S.-style anti-racketeering law at First Ministers' meetings

B.C. Premier David Eby to push for U.S.-style anti-racketeering law at First Ministers' meetings

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he will urge Canada's premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney to consider introducing federal anti-racketeering legislation similar to the United States' Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in an effort to combat extortion and organized crime. According to Eby, he plans to raise the proposal during next week's Council of the Federation meeting and the First Ministers' Meeting. He said recent arrests in a U.S. law enforcement operation, in which charges were also laid against three British Columbia residents, highlight the need for s

Ontario cabinet minister Stan Cho resigns after controversy over Toronto hotel expense claims

Ontario cabinet minister Stan Cho resigns after controversy over Toronto hotel expense claims

Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, Stan Cho, has resigned from cabinet after facing criticism over thousands of dollars in hotel expenses claimed while living in Toronto. According to reports, Cho claimed $16,203 in taxpayer-funded hotel accommodation expenses over the past three years, despite his home being only a few kilometres from Queen's Park. The expense claims were for stays at downtown Toronto hotels. In a statement, Cho described the claims as a "significant mistake" and confirmed he has repaid the full amount to the provincial government. The Ontario government has n

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital