COVID-19 Indigenous Peoples Health Partnership

Location: Global

The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by every country that is a member to the UN except for two, establishes a minimum standard for countries that healthcare be accessible and affordable for Indigenous communities, and that their ability to operate their own health systems not be tarnished.

This project was started because the rights described above are not recognized in practice by most countries around the world, and Indigenous Peoples, their elders, their cultures, and their languages are at major risk from the COVID-19 pandemic because of it. This project will set an example of culturally sensitive and rights-based healthcare responsibility towards the well-being of Indigenous Peoples.

Due to quick and decisive actions from many Indigenous communities who closed their borders, the virus has not hit us in the same way it has hit urban centers. Yet for the communities that have been hit, it has been devastating and incredibly worrying. In many cases, shutting borders has led to food deprivation with no apparent solution.

The Navajo Tribe currently has more cases than 13 U.S. states combined. Some Indigenous Nations have COVID-19 cases but no hospitals, no clinics, and no physicians. Governments have failed to provide COVID-19 information in culturally relevant ways to Indigenous Peoples. And for many communities, it is inevitable that at some point, they will get hit, making preventative measures and preparation vital. Actions by world governments weakening the rights of Indigenous Peoples during the pandemic have only made the situation worse.

Through this project, we will partner with seven Indigenous Peoples from each of the Indigenous world regions. Our actions will be informed and led by Indigenous youth and the leaders from those communities. We will also seek out ways to do things that are helpful to Indigenous Peoples everywhere.

Support

We are translating COVID-19 documents and videos into over 50+ Indigenous languages and would like to offer some payment to translators (most are Indigenous) and people to make videos (for Indigenous elders and children who cannot read).

Other needs: Volunteers, Access to information, Space for online meetings

See more: https://covidstudentresponse.org/campaigns/indigenous-health-partnership/

For more information contact covid19@unmgcy.org