March 13, 2020

(xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl = ilwətaʔɬ/sel = ílwitulh
(Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, BC – Mar.13, 2020): The First Nations Leadership Council
(FNLC) urges the federal and provincial governments and First Nations to take every
precaution and prepare for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic that has spread
throughout the world and Canada.

First Nations populations are particularly vulnerable due to their systemic health, social,
and economic marginalization. The FNLC calls on the provincial and federal governments
to clearly allocate resources to First Nations communities to help prepare for and cope
with medical emergency cases. First Nations community leaders are urged to learn about
the Coronavirus disease and take time to prepare themselves, their families, and their
community members.