COVID-19 is an illness caused by a coronavirus. Human coronaviruses are common and are typically associated with mild illnesses, similar to the common cold. Symptoms of human coronaviruses may be very mild or more serious, such as: fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus.
Spread, Prevention and Risk
Personal protective Equipment (PPE)
Handwashing and Hand Sanitizer
Masking
Updated Masking Guidelines for Community Settings (Dec 2021)
Masking Exemption Guidelines for Practitioners
Masking Exemption Guidelines for Patients and Families
Information for Health Care Providers
COVID-19 Donning PPE for Health Care Providers – Poster
Setting up Temporary Mass Vaccination Sites
Does your mask fit properly?
Non-medical mask use (English)
Non-medical mask use (Cree)
Non-medical mask use (Dene)
Our Knowledge on masks is growing
Appropriate use of non-medical masks or face coverings
How to make cloth face-coverings
How to safely use a non-medical mask or face covering
Do’s and Don’ts – How to safely use a non-medical mask or face covering
Coughing and Sneezing
Guidance for Gatherings
Guidance for Wakes and Funerals July 2021
Guidance for Gatherings June 2021
Private Indoor Gatherings March 2021
Participants List Attendance Log March 2021
A room, a bar, and a classroom: How the coronavirus is spread through the air
COVID-19: How to Stay Safe During Outdoor Activities
Going out safely during COVID-19 (Dene)
Going out safely during COVID-19 (Cree)
Going out safely during COVID-19 (English)
Testing and Treatment Sites
Quarantine and Isolation
Changes for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
Modified Self-isolation for Essential Services Guidelines
Appendix A – Modified Self-Isolation Essential Services List
Appendix B – Modified Self Isolation for Essential Services – Employer Application Form
Appendix C – Modified Self-Isolation Employee Consent Template
Procedures for Self-Quarantine
Self-Isolation
How to Isolate at home with COVID-19
When a Person is Sick or Isolating at Home
Know the difference, Self-Monitor, Self-Isolation and Isolation
Self Monitor Information Sheet
Close Contact
Social Distancing
Cleaning and Disinfection
Air Quality
Workplace Safety
Return to Work Guide November 2021
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines and recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variants at work
Health Care Worker Return to Work – Assessment FAQ
Workplace Lunchroom Safety
Shared Work Stations during the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 Screening Poster/Sign for Community Facilities
How you can stop COVID-19 in your workplace
Masking, Sanitizing – Your safety matters most – Workplace poster
MBC Radio Clips – How to Protect our Elders
School Guidance
Student Close Contact Protocol – Saskatchewan Schools (Jan 2022)
Self-Isolation Requirements for Students Effective January 5, 2022
Back to School Posters
Class Rules k-12
Handwashing is your Superpower
k-12 Keep Space When Outside
Stop the Spread
Wash Your Hands
Did you wash your Hands?
Classroom-Health-and-Safety-Rules Elementary Poster 1
Classroom-Health-and-Safety-Rules Elementary Poster 2
Information for School Administrators and Maintenance Staff
MHO Memo outlining information on testing, masking and isolation
NITHA Resource Guide for School Surveillance Program
NITHA-Partner-Communities-School-Absenteeism-Tracker (Excel spreadsheet)
NITHA School COVID-19 Exposure Letter Template (Word document)
Reducing the Risk of COVID-19 Transmission in Schools – Improving Ventilation
Social Media
Vaccine-Myths-vs.-facts-post-1
Vaccine-Myths-vs.-facts-post-2
Vaccine-Myths-vs.-facts-post-3
Vaccine-Myths-vs.-facts-post-4
Vaccine-Myths-vs.-facts-post-5
Vaccine-Myths-vs.-facts-post-6
Vaccine-Myths-vs.-facts-post-7
Vaccine-Myths-vs.-facts-post-8
Vaccine-Myths-vs.-facts-post-9
Quick Facts about COVID-19 Vaccine
Reminder Dose 2 for COVID-19 Vaccine
The Vaccines will Save Lives
The COVID Vaccine and Me post 1
The COVID Vaccine and Me post 2
The COVID Vaccine and Me post 3
Vaccines Help Protect
Let Us Fight COVID-19 Together
Get your COVID-19 Vaccine short video – NITHA
Youth – Vaccine Hesitant Rider Concept Video
Covid-19-Symptoms-and-general-info
Stop the spread – Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
Stop the Spread – Will you stand with us?
Vaccines, safety and side effects
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect our families, communities and ourselves against COVID-19. Evidence indicates that vaccines are effective at preventing serious outcomes, such as severe illness, hospitalization and death due to COVID-19.
Most COVID-19 vaccines require 2 doses to be fully vaccinated. While current evidence shows good effectiveness after 1 dose, a second dose is essential for longer-lasting and optimal protection. For your second dose, return at the time advised by your health care provider.
How Vaccines are Developed (video)
Canada’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan
What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine for Canada (English)
What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine for Canada (Cree)
What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine for Canada (Dene)
Questions and Answers on COVID-19-Vaccines
Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
Facts about the COVID Vaccines 2
COVID-19 Vaccines – Get the Facts
Setting Up Temporary Mass Vaccination Sites
5 Reasons to wear a mask even after you’re vaccinated
COVID-19 Vaccine Myths vs Facts Poster
COVID-19 Vaccine Information Partner Resource (PDF)
COVID-19 Vaccine Information Partner Resource (Powerpoint)
Comparing the Risk of Blood Clots from Vaccines, Birth Control, Smoking, and COVID-19 Infections
Preventing COVID-19 – Schedule your Booster Shot – Poster Dec 2021
Let’s Get Vaccinated (graphic) (Adobe PDF)
MBC Radio Ads
NITHA – COVID STILL A CONCERN – Word Document (English)
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-1 – Word Document
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-1 – PDF Document
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-2 – Word Document
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-2 – PDF Document
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-3 – Word Document
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-3 – PDF Document
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-4-Elder – Word Document
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-4-Elder – PDF Document
Get your COVID-19 Vaccine – Gov’t of Saskatchewan (English) Sept 2021
Get your COVID-19 Vaccine – Gov’t of Saskatchewan (Dene) Sept 2021
Get your COVID-19 Vaccine – Gov’t of Saskatchewan (Cree) Sept 2021
Get your COVID-19 Vaccine – Gov’t of Saskatchewan (Michif) Sept 2021
NITHA – COVID STILL A CONCERN – Audio (English)
NITHA – COVID STILL A CONCERN – Audio (Cree)
NITHA – COVID STILL A CONCERN – Audio (Dene)
Elder Emile Highway – Cree
Elder Emile Highway – English
Chief Peter A. Beatty – Cree
Chief Peter A. Beatty – English
Chief Tammy Cook-Searson – English
Vice Chief Tsannie – Dene
Willy Bilette – Dene
Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka – English
Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT)
Self-testing is done using a rapid antigen test kit. It is safe, easy to use, provides fast results within 15 minutes, and most importantly, is gentle. Self-tests can be done almost anywhere, at any time to see if you may have COVID-19. Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA) recommends routine self-testing one to two times per week for each member in your household who do not have COVID-19 related symptoms.
All NITHA community members have access to self-administered rapid antigen test kits for asymptomatic COVID-19 testing.
COVID-19 is still present throughout our NITHA communities. For self-testing kit pick up locations and availability, please contact your local Band Office or local Pandemic Coordinator for your specific community locations.
Quick Reference Guides
Shelf Life Extensions (Health Canada)
Abbott Panbio Covid-19 (Nasal Version) Amendment – Shelf life extension (September 9, 2021)
BD Veritor™ System for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Expanded Use – Shelf Life (October 18, 2021)
COVID-19 and Influenza
Social Media and Posters:
Comparison-Chart COVID-19 Cold Flu (English, Cree & Dene)
It takes a community to stop the spread – Do your part – Social Media Post 1
It takes a community to stop the spread – Do your part – Social Media Post 2
It takes a community to stop the spread – Do your part – Social Media Post 3
It takes a community to stop the spread – Do your part – Social Media Post 4
It takes a community to stop the spread – Do your part – Social Media Post 5
It takes a community to stop the spread – Do your part – Social Media Post 6
It takes a community to stop the spread – Do your part – Poster 1
It takes a community to stop the spread – Do your part – Poster 2
It takes a community to stop the spread – Do your part – Poster 3
Radio Ads And Scripts
NITHA – COVID STILL A CONCERN – Audio (English)
NITHA – COVID STILL A CONCERN – Audio (Cree)
NITHA – COVID STILL A CONCERN – Audio (Dene)
NITHA – COVID STILL A CONCERN – Word Document (English)
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-1 – Word Document
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-1 – PDF Document
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-2 – Word Document
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-2 – PDF Document
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-3 – Word Document
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-3 – PDF Document
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-4-Elder – Word Document
NITHA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout VERSION-4-Elder – PDF Document
Listen to the Symptoms in Cree
Listen to the Symptoms in Dene
Listen to the Symptoms in English
Listen on how to wash your hands (MBC Radio Clip)
Listen on how to wear a mask (MBC Radio Clip)
Listen on how to protect our Elders
Listen on how to protect our Elders (in Cree)
Listen on how to protect our Elders (in Dene)
Pediatric Resources
This toolkit contains resources for parents and caregivers of children aged 5 to11 years who will be receiving their COVID-19
vaccine. COVID-19 vaccine toolkit
vaccine. COVID-19 vaccine toolkit
Social Media Posts
The-COVID-19-Vaccine-is-safe-and-effective-PEDS-Facebook-Post
The-COVID-19-Vaccine-is-safe-and-effective-PEDS-Facebook-Ad
The-COVID-19-Vaccine-is-safe-and-effective-PEDS-Instagram-post
Getting-children-in-your-care-vaccinated-will-increase-their-protection-PEDS-Facebook-post
Getting-children-in-your-care-vaccinated-will-increase-their-protection-PEDS-Facebook-Ad
Getting-children-in-your-care-vaccinated-will-increase-their-protection-PEDS-Instagram-post
All-Children-aged-6-months-to-5-years-of-age-are-now-eligible-PEDS-Instagram-post
All-Children-aged-6-months-to-5-years-of-age-are-now-eligible-PEDS-Facebook-Post
All-Children-aged-6-months-to-5-years-of-age-are-now-eligible-Facebook-Ad
Media Interviews
Feb 9, 2022 – Ending Sask. COVID-19 mandates puts First Nations at risk, FSIN chief says
Feb 9, 2022 – Indigenous nations on Prairies keep pandemic restrictions despite provincial plans
November 23, 2021 – NITHA looks forward to offering vaccines to younger children
November 12, 2021 – Health official calls for ‘circuit breaker’ in Sask. north due to lagging COVID-19 vaccination rates
September 16, 2021 – Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka finds heart and home in two worlds
March 15, 2020 – Southend COVID-19 case: NITHA says community risk remains low
As with any other communicable disease in First Nations communities in Saskatchewan, public health follow-up and management of COVID-19 cases and contacts is coordinated by Indigenous Services Canada for south and central First Nations communities and by the Northern Inter-tribal Health Authority (NITHA) for the northern First Nations communities.
The Government of Canada supports First Nations and Inuit communities in preparing for, monitoring and responding to COVID-19. For more information click here.