YOUTH HELP LEAD FIGHT AGAINST VIRUS ON RESERVES

A First Nation in Alberta is turning to its youth to help spread the message to older members about the dangers of COVID-19. Three reserves in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains make up the Stoney Nakoda First Nation, where there have been only a couple of outbreaks since the pandemic began. Chief executive Ryan Robb said the First Nation has faced a difficult challenge. Stoney remains the first language for a majority of members. “Quite quickly we realized we needed to get our information out in Stoney as well as English,” Robb said. Messages from the chief and council are played on the radio in both languages and a large digital billboard that flashes bilingual information has been erected in the community. Audio files have also been created that can be downloaded onto phones.