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PUBLIC STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF A CREE ELDER 

Summary

The Board of Directors, management, Public Health Department, Wiichihiituwin Department and all staff of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay extend our deepest condolences to the family of an Elder who passed away over the weekend from complications due to COVID-19.

Content

December 27, 2020

The Board of Directors, management, Public Health Department, Wiichihiituwin Department and all staff of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay extend our deepest condolences to the family of an Elder who passed away over the weekend from complications due to COVID-19. 

He passed away Saturday, December 26 at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, after contracting the virus earlier this month while being treated for an unrelated health condition. 

He is the fifth known person from our Cree Nation to pass away from COVID-19. Because of how COVID-19 cases are reported in Quebec, he is considered the second resident of Eeyou Istchee to die from the disease. 

We share the sadness of losing a very cherished and widely respected member of the Cree Nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and community.

This has been a difficult period for clients and escorts at Espresso. We know that people are anxious about travelling south for their appointments, in particular to Montreal, given the city’s recent case surge and ongoing red alert level. 

The Wiichihiituwin Department of the CBHSSJB continues to make every effort to keep Espresso Hotel and ground transportation services safe for our clients during their medical travel to Montreal. 

The Wiichiwaauwin Helpline is a 24/7 telephone service for mental health and social support, with counselling available in the Cree language. The number to call is: 1-833-632-4357.

The Cree Health Board is also working with Cree leadership and our public health partners to prepare for a COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the early New Year, after the holiday season, when a vaccine will become available to Eeyou Istchee. 

For more information visit the Cree Health Board’s COVID-19 web page www.creehealth.org/covid

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