Announcement: Pandemic Preparedness Services Available

Announcement:  Pandemic Preparedness Services Available

Hiawatha First Nation, July 8, 2020:  Ontario First Nations should take pride in the way they are managing the COVID-19 pandemic.  It has tested all the protections communities have put in place since SARS and H1N1 to safeguard community members.  While, unfortunately, some Indigenous people in Ontario contracted COVID-19, many more individuals could have become ill if not for the actions of communities.    All emergency staff at the front lines in First Nations were challenged to keep up with the demands that emerged from this pandemic such as families staying home; schools closed; businesses closed; no contact with people outside their home; maintaining physical distancing; everyone wearing masks.  Many, if not most communities, closed their borders to non-residents. The emergency response staff tasks may have included bringing in groceries, organizing security at entry points, maintaining health services, contracting suppliers, wellness checks on the more vulnerable community members and changing to a new way of conducting business from home over video-conference.  This has been an incredible amount of change in a short period of time and First Nations front line emergency response workers deserve credit for it.

Nova coronavirus 19 exposed gaps in First Nations Pandemic Plans.  Williams Consulting has helped developed at least 14 plans now known as the Communicable Disease Emergency Plan.  As we supported clients through the initial phase of COVID-19, it became evident that more work needs to be done.  It is our belief that the time to reflect and put into policy the actions of the past three months is important to do now, prior to further peaks of the virus. Williams Consulting has the expertise to support First Nations in revising or developing Pandemic Plans to reflect this new reality and we look forward to working with First Nations as they continue to support them with education and awareness campaigns as well as continue to put measures in place to combat the current unprecedented pandemic and future communicable disease outbreaks.

Background:

Williams Consulting is proud to be an independent First Nations consulting firm. Our logo reflects our foundational principles of:  protection; nourishment, growth and wholeness; as well as strength, family and kindness.

In existence for 25 years, the company has worked with Indigenous peoples in numerous capacities, including qualitative and quantitative research initiatives, program development, environmental scanning, assessments, evaluations and policies and organizational development.  We have expertise across a variety of disciplines such as: public health, long-term care, palliative care, mental health, community health, governance, health systems transformations and integrations, mental health, Jordan’s Principle services, justice, education and the environment.  Williams Consulting’s knowledge of First Nation worldviews and practical experience in Indigenous communities (rural, urban, and remote), has proven a valuable asset in the design and implementation of the many projects and studies in which we have participated.  The firm works continually with Indigenous organizations, federal, provincial and territorial governments, and First Nations governments.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to Andrea J. Williams with any business inquiries at:  andrea@williamsconsulting.ca.  View our corporate experience at http://www.williamsconsulting.ca/our-corporate-experience/  and our pandemic planning experience at http://www.williamsconsulting.ca/health-research/.

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For further information please contact:

Andrea J. Williams, Owner/Project Director
Williams Consulting
Head Office:  Hiawatha First Nation
Ph:  905 485 1800
Toll Free: (855) 728-4367
Email:  andrea@williamsconsulting.ca
Website:  www.williamsconsulting.ca