The federal minister of Indigenous Services says even though the number of COVID-19 cases on reserves remains low, no one should be complacent.
Marc Miller told reporters during a news conference on Friday that borders and checkpoints are good for identifying people with COVID-19 entering a community, as well as making people aware of the disease, but the checkpoints can lead people to believe they are safe.
As of Thursday, there were 40 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on First Nation reserves.
Miller announced $305 million that’s being distributed to Indigenous communities across Canada as they battle COVID-19.
But First Nations and Metis leaders said last week they need more financial support from Ottawa, as well as assistance with security and help acquiring protective equipment.
Indigenous leaders urged government to look at the unique needs of Indigenous business owners, noting many Indigenous business owners won’t be able to meet the $50,000 minimum payroll requirement for loans under the Canada Emergency Business Account.

The Ontario legislature will sit briefly today to extend a state of emergency in the province for another 28 days.
Premier Doug Ford announced the session on Monday, saying it is too early to start lifting any restrictions in the fight against COVID-19.
In previous such sittings, a limited number of politicians have been required to attend in order to respect the need for physical distancing.
The government is expected to pass five other pieces of legislation to change some regulations for school boards, post-secondary institutions and municipalities during the pandemic.
Ontario reported 421 new COVID-19 cases Monday and 17 new deaths.
That brings the province to a total of 7,470 cases, including 291 deaths and 3,357 cases that have been resolved.

Coronavirus outbreaks at two of the hospitals surrounding Six Nations and Mississaugas of the Credit left residents feeling uneasy over the weekend.
Six Nations Emergency Control Group confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks at both the Brantford General Hospital and the West Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville — and say both hospitals remain safe places to access care if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
The Emergency Control Group says anyone experiencing fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, or sneezing — along with nasal congestion, a hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, fatigue or delirium should call the Six Nations COVID-19 Assessment Centre immediately. The group also included less common symptoms like falls, functional decline, nausea, vomitting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, chills, headache and croup to the list.

A new study out of China suggests coronavirus is widely spread on the floors of hospitals and shoes of hospital workers who are treating COVID-19 patients.
Concentrations of the virus were found in areas of the hospital where there are no patients, like pharmacies — and swabs from the soles of the shoes of medical staff tested positive.
The Centre for Disease Control is now recommending people to disinfect their shoe soles before walking out of wards containing coronavirus patients.