New app created by U of M researchers gives Indigenous people voice during COVID 19 pandemic
February 15, 2021 Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
WINNIPET-An app created by University of Manitoba researchers will give Indigenous community members a voice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 Indigenous app, now available for download on iOS and Android, permits local health directors to gather information through questionnaires, allowing them to roll out effective programming for their communities, including COVID-19 vaccination programs.
Data collected can be used by communities to advocate for policy-making changes concerning COVID-19 and set an example of the effectiveness of digital tools to support and promote Indigenous health and data sovereignty.
WINNIPEG Manitoba researchers have developed a new COVID-19 app believed to be the first of its kind. The app, called COVID-19 Indigenous, was created at the University of Manitoba in partnership with Indigenous leaders. It was made to support the COVID-19 response in Indigenous communities. “It will allow Indigenous communities to document the impacts and their responses to COVID-19 in real time, and everything is aligned with OCAP (ownership, control, access, and possession) principles over their own data,” said Evan Chamakese, community outreach coordinator for the app and a member of Pelican Lake First Nation. “They can share this information with us if they wish, or they can do as they please.”