First step positive, but there's a few more to go.

GARDEN HILL FIRST NATION, Man.

The Sept. 19 announcement of the communications protocol that has been designed to get more information about H1N1 to First Nations reserves across Canada is a positive step in the right direction, according to band leaders, but they say it's far from enough.

Chiefs in northern Manitoba are pleased the Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo and the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Chuck Strahl signed a mutual communications agreement to help educate Canada's First Nations about the potentially deadly H1N1 virus before the flu season arrives. However, the chiefs said their communities are in need of very specific resources.

"Basically all that does is communication. What we want are incident managers up and running," said Garden Hill First Nation Chief David Harper.

Incident managers were only one of the many things Harper felt his community needed to help ward of H1N1; however, they are at the top of his list.

Harper is confident that if he had staff members whose sole responsibility it was to educate band members on proper sanitation and help care for people who were infected, there would be less chaos in their modest emergency facility.

Garden Hill is one of the many reserves that is very isolated. Harper said the nearest hospital is in Winnipeg, which is a one-hour flight away. Band members make do with no doctors and one nursing station, where Harper said patients have at least a five-hour wait for help.

Harper needs things to change and he has very specific ideas he wants to communicate to both Aglukkaq and Strahl.

"In Texas they are putting a triage centre in the field and that's one of the things we need ... We need to put triage tents on the reserve, because if we don't have hospitals, what do we do?" said Harper, who was ready to share his thoughts at a one-on-one meeting scheduled with Aglukkaq on the same afternoon as the communications announcement--"Ever since the protocol agreement, she is willing to sit down with local First Nations. This is very good"--and Harper had plans to go to Ottawa to speak with Strahl the following month.

The chief admitted that he foresaw positive changes coming from the new protocol, but it doesn't offer immediate solutions to very visible problems.

Birdtail Sioux First Nation Chief Ken Chalmers agreed that his[dagger] community is still awaiting specific resources that would help his band be prepared for the flu season.

Chalmers is aggressively spreading the message that community members must wash their hands more regularly and is accommodating people who don't want to travel to the city by stocking up on extra food. However, he believes more must be done.

"If you shut down the schools, then it has less of a chance spreading through the community," said Chalmers, who is worried that the reserve's kindergarten to Grade 12 school will become a breeding ground for the virus.

"All my teachers come from off the reserve from big urban areas where you know it's going to spread ... If they come and give it to the children it will be real chaotic," said Chalmers.

Chalmers accused the provincial government of not ordering a closure to schools due to the salaries they would have to continue to pay school staff members. If the chief closes his school without the order from the province, the band would be responsible for teacher's salaries, money he is not sure the community can afford.

"It's all about money instead of the safety," said Chalmers.

The chief made it clear that he is not panicking, as he felt some media had implied in recent articles. He said he is merely keeping his options open.

"If I feel like my kids are in jeopardy, then myself and council keep that option open to shutting down the school."

Some argue that options are the least Manitoba First Nations deserve after many were in the spotlight for receiving body bags with a federal shipment of supplies to help protect communities from H1N1.

Harper said a shipment of body bags was received on Garden Hill First Nation by one of his staff members on the reserve.

Liberal health critic Dr. Carolyn Bennett is skeptical of the motives behind the communications protocol that promises First Nations consistent updates in regards to their communities and H1N1.

"It's an important first step," said Bennett. "[But] it only seems to be because of body bags."

Bennett stressed how each First Nation is unique, and listening to the needs of each individual reserve is important to protect as many people as possible.

Atleo has confirmed that the communications protocol will include a "virtual summit" that will offer First Nations an online connection to flu experts.

The summit is scheduled to occur before the end of October and will be hosted by Aglukkaq and Atleo.

"This summit will provide key players with a forum where we can all participate in and benefit from a comprehensive overview of pandemic preparedness tools, strategies, policies and guidelines," said Health Canada spokeswoman Christelle Legault through email.

By Isha Thompson

Windspeaker Staff Writer