Council updates: COVID-19 death confirmed, Bell Canada scraps door-to-door solicitation on Six Nations

Council chambers at Six Nations. Man sits at desk with logo behind him on wall. dark grey wall purple and white logo on wall behind him.
Six Nations Elected Council chambers. Photo by David Moses.
David Moses - CKRZ - OhswekenON | 06-03-2023
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Ohsweken Public Health and Six Nations Elected Council just announced the 25th death in the community associated with COVID-19.

In a press release yesterday evening, Six Nations stated that a medical lab report confirmed that the death was related to COVID-19 complications.

This is the first COVID-19 death on the territory confirmed in a year: the 24th death was announced on Feb. 22, 2022.

Members of the public experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in close contact with someone who has, should call the COVID-19 hotline at 1-855-977-7737. For further questions, contact Ohsweken Public Health at 519-445-2672.

Bell scraps door-to-door solicitation on Six Nations

Bell Canada was at the Six Nations General Elected Council meeting Feb. 28 following up on a previous presentation on a proposal for a door-to-door solicitation on Six Nations.

Melanie Pilon, senior manager of Indigenous Relations for Bell, attended the virtual meeting and explained to council that she had been contacted by Six Nations Manager of Central Administration Shirley Johnson after that initial meeting and that Johnson expressed that council was not keen on the idea of a door-to-door solicitation in the community.

In this week's update, Pilon said Bell Canada was scrapping that idea and instead wanted to have a more customized marketing program, with kiosks and mail outs.

Bell currently only supplies wireless service to the community after a no dig order for Bell was implemented by council in 2017.

However, in doing so, it appears that decision has had implications for the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) project that Six Nations is a part of because the internet service providers who want to offer retail fibre internet to Six Nations customers use Bell infrastructure or connectivity.

Coun. Nathan Wright, who was chairing the Feb. 28 meeting on behalf of the chief, said that before any decisions could be made further discussion would be needed with the Consultation and Accommodation (CAP).

Listen to the report below: