Interlake communities continue to engage with elders throughout the coronavirus pandemic to let residents know we are all in this together and you are not alone.
Most recently, the communities of Fisher River Cree Nation and Arborg held parades, which end-ed up visiting hospitals and personal care homes, ensuring the community’s elders know they are on the forefront of everyone’s mind.
Melody Pierone, director of the Fisher River Cree Nation Personal Care Home, said she and Donna Clark organized a community drive-by on April 21 for residents in the care home.
“We felt after being under lockdown for 37 days, we wanted that sense of community, and to get others involved in letting the elders know that the community is thinking of them,” said Pierone, who credited the community of Peguis First Nation for having done a similar initiative in the week previous.
“Everyone was welcome, and we asked everyone to make signs for the residents.”
Once staff had the 22 PCH residents outside, Pierone said family, friends and Fisher River Cree Nation’s Chief and council proceeded to drive by, smiling and waving to the residents.
Residents, too, had signs pointed back at the pa-rade, thanking everyone for thinking of them and respecting social distancing.
“It was fantastic to see everyone out and together,” said Pierone. “It was so nice.”
Pierone said making sure community members, seniors and PCH staff were safe and following social distancing measures was of the highest priority.
Courtesy of Express Weekly News, Evan Matthews
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