Dark stain: Minister says Indigenous ceremonies to continue despite COVID-19

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says the government will not cancel important ceremonies for First Nations peoples in the face of COVID-19.

He says banning of such ceremonies in the past has been a dark stain on Canada's history.

185 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on First Nations reserves

As of May 13, there have been 185 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on First Nations reserves in Canada.

Of those, two people have died and 63 per cent have recovered.

Chief medical officer of Indigenous Services Canada Dr. Tom Wong says the fatality rate is so far less than the rest of Canada.

But numbers are only available for Indigenous peoples living on reserves, and the provinces will need to help in order to get a clearer picture of how the virus is impacting Indigenous people at large.

Extra money into support for Indigenous communities

He says any such cancellations will be the decision of First Nations leadership who have been provided with public health advice.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government is putting extra money into support for Indigenous communities.

During his daily briefing, Trudeau said there will be targeted support for Inuit and Metis students and Indigenous businesses.

He says there will also be funds for support services and shelters for women and children fleeing domestic violence.