Tl’etinqox Chief Joe Alphonse, who is seeking re-election, could not be reached for immediate comment. Positive cases have been identified in every Indigenous community in the Chilcotin. A local state of emergency remains in effect until Feb. 5 at Ulkatcho First Nation with non-members prohibited from entering the community. Ulkatcho First Nation band manager Brian Johnson confirmed a positive case was identified Jan. 18. “Everyone will be issued a permit to place on their dashboard, and we have implemented a curfew from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m.,” Chief Lynda Price said in a Jan. 14 Facebook video. COVID-19 cases have also been identified on-reserve at Tsideldel, Yunesit’in, Xeni Gwet’in and Tl’esqox.
Prior to the start of inoculation, available for residents 18 years and older, First Nations Health Authority representatives will be holding a meeting outside the Ulkatcho First Nation Community Hall Tuesday morning to help individuals make an informed decision on the benefits and risks associated with the vaccine. The first of two doses will be offered to Indigenous elders first, followed by the remainder of Ulkatcho residents on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31. A second dose is required 28 days later. “I think it’s great it’s getting into the northern communities, and it’s important,” said Cariboo Regional District Area J director Gerald Kirby.