Chief and Council have announced an extension to the pandemic measures for an additional 14 days. This falls in line with Ontario’s extended the stay at home order for the next 2 weeks. The measures for Niisaachewan is hereby renewed until February 10th.

The pandemic measures include:

Visitors

There will no longer be social visitors allowed into the community. Band members will still be allowed to check on a vulnerable family member living in the community to ensure their needs are met. Essential workers will be allowed into the community.

Temporary Office Hours

  • Staff will work in the office Tuesday’s and Thursday’s.
  • Staff will be working from home on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s. They are available to you by email and/or telephone. The staff listing and contact information is attached.

Essential Staff

Essential leaders and staff will be working daily to ensure daily operations run smoothly. They include:

  • Chief Lorraine Cobiness
  • Coun. Martina Strong
  • Coun. Bernice Major
  • Coun. Fabian Blackhawk
  • Coun. Reno Cameron
  • Lorraine Kabestra, Health Director
  • Tracey Cobiness, Executive Assistant
  • Jordan Sanderson, CHR/ADI
  • Tania Cameron, Pandemic Coordinator
  • Hunter Edison, Water Treatment Plant

Band Office

The Band Office remains open with the following restrictions:

a) Only staff. We are working on a modified work schedule for all staff.
b) Only primary care and essential workers
c) Only clients in for their primary care appointments (just in and out – no visiting)

In-person programming is cancelled (ie. workshops and events). Should community members require appointments, they are to phone the office and arrange a time. Pre-screening will be completed before entering the office. Masks are mandatory. Anyone refusing to pre-screen or to wear a mask while in the office will be asked to leave.

Students and Daycare Children

Students will still be allowed to go to school for in-person learning.

Checkpoint

The gate will remain open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm daily. If you have work shifts after these hours, please provide an employment letter to verify. Non-compliance or threatening behavior towards the checkpoint workers will result in the authorities being contacted.

Out of town medicals

Band and community members that must attend medical appointments out of the region, must self-isolate for 14-days upon return to the community. Please limit the number of individuals travelling to the appointment when possible.

Moving to the Community

If you are a band member living outside of the region and planning to return home, you will be expected to self-isolate for up to 14 days upon your return to the community. For anyone moving to the community from within the northwestern Ontario region, you may be asked to get tested for COVID-19 prior to moving in. Please be mindful that this pandemic is not over. Please stay diligent, safe, and look out for one another. Wear your mask when out in public, wash your hands frequently and follow public health measures. Together, we will get through this.

For any other inquiries, Chief and Council can be reached at:

  • Lorraine Cobiness 807-548-8924 or (807) 466-8208 text
  • Reno Cameron (807) 464-0950
  • Fabian Blackhawk (807) 464-4137
  • Bernice Major (807) 407-5686
  • Martina Strong (807) 548-1134

Additional staff on Pandemic Planning Team

Staff Listing Download