Some 45 elders from all the Cree communities were supposed to attend, but the Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association made the decision late yesterday to postpone. A few Cree communities have also announced they are putting in place travel restrictions and postponing events. The Cree Nation of Wemindji took steps to reassure the population that community members who attended the mining conference are being closely monitored. Coonishish with the Cree Board of Health said no one in a Cree community has tested positive for the virus, but one person who attended the conference has been tested as a precautionary measure. He also said the Cree communities have been preparing for five weeks and are ready, adding Cree Nation Government officials are now meeting weekly with health board personnel to monitor the situation.

Source: CBC News March 12, 2020 21:11 UTC