New Mexico Town Hall: More than one-third of coronavirus cases are Native Americans

New Mexico's Tribal Communities and COVID-19: A Virtual Town Hall

Article by Brenda Norrell

Censored News

The New Mexico's Tribal Communities Town Hall highlighted the needs of health care, and the economic losses for Pueblos, as the coronavirus spreads through communities.

Broadcasting from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, host Conroy Chino, Acoma Pueblo, said Native American cases of coronavirus make up 37 percent of the coronavirus cases in New Mexico, even though Native people total only 10 percent of the population. Most of the cases are in the northwest corner of the state.

Navajo President Jonathan Nez said the health care system across the country needs to be improved. Thanking the doctors, nurses and first responders, President Nez said this crisis has highlighted the underfunding of Indian Health Service.

"This is a public health emergency," President Nez said. 

Chino said his son is a surgeon working triage at Tuba City Indian Medical Center.

The closure of casinos has resulted in enormous economic losses for Native people and the state of New Mexico.

Laguna Pueblo Gov. Willfred Herrera, Jr., said Pueblos businesses have contributed financially to the State of New Mexico. The Pueblo casinos and businesses generated $608 million in revenues in the state, with 11,500 jobs in 2018. Herrera serves as the Vice-Chair of the All Indian Pueblo Council of Governors.

U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., reported on the efforts made in Congress, including new efforts for expanded broadband in New Mexico.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and New Mexico Indian Affairs Dept. Secretary Lynn Trujillo described the efforts underway. Watch the video below as community members share their messages.

In related news, Monday, April 20. New Mexico reports another death in San Juan County, where Shiprock is located on the Navajo Nation. There have been 15 deaths from coronavirus here. 

There have been five deaths in McKinley County, which includes Gallup, portions of the Navajo Nation and Zuni Pueblo. 

The New Mexico website shows the zipcode area for Zia Pueblo, San Luis and San Ysidro has 82 cases of coronavirus.
https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html

Currently, there are more than 1,000 cases of coronavirus on the Navajo Nation, with 44 deaths reported. 

Watch New Mexico Town Hall on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLZvpIuKICk&feature=emb_logo





COVID-19 is hitting New Mexico's tribal communities hard, and accurate information is more important than ever. Sunday, April 19 at 6 p.m., NMPBS presents New Mexico's Tribal Communities and COVID-19: A Virtual Town Hall - featuring both state and tribal officials. Acoma Pueblo member Conroy Chino moderates.

U.S. Border Patrol agents ignore lock down orders, stalk Tohono O'odham after agents test positive for coronavirus in Tucson sector

The Tohono O'odham Nation and State of Arizona stay-at-home orders are being ignored by U.S. Border Patrol agents, as the coronavirus spreads among Border Patrol agents

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
April 6, 2020 

French translation Christine Prat

Updated April 20, 202

TUCSON -- Six US Border Patrol agents and staff in Tucson and Nogales have tested positive for coronavirus -- but the agency is not telling anyone who they have been in contact with and who they have exposed to the deadly virus.

US Border Patrol agents continue to stalk Tohono O'odham women and elderly on the Tohono O'odham Nation, without accountability.

The coronavirus is spreading rapidly through US Border Patrol agents and staff: 90 cases in New York; 29 in Florida; 23 in Texas; 23 in New Jersey; 21 in California and elsewhere, with a total of 246 now having coronavirus, according to US Customs and Border Patrol.

Despite the lockdown orders to control the spread of the coronavirus, construction continues on the Israeli US spy towers on the Tohono O'odham Nation and the US Mexico border wall.

Navajo coronavirus cases increase to 1,197, one survivor shares his story

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Dine' recovering from coronavirus shares his experience

70 new positive cases of COVID-19 and 4,075 negative results reported

By Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer

Censored News

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The total number of positive tests for COVID-19 has reached 1,197 for the Navajo Nation as of Saturday – an increase of 70 positive cases since Friday, according to the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center. The report also includes 4,075 total negative test results as of Saturday. There remains a total of 44 confirmed deaths, with an average age of 66-years-old, related to COVID-19 as reported on Friday.

Bitahnii Wayne Wilson 'Doing what I can, while I can' at Pine Springs, Navajo Nation'

Today we finished gathering food for some of our family relatives in Querino Canyon, Navajo Nation, Arizona. In our red pony before another 57-hour Navajo Nation curfew. We were able to get much-needed supplies for this family and they said thank you for your donated assistance and help. (Covid-19 Virus Pandemic Crisis 2020)

My elder Uncle Freddie Roan Sr. A U.S. Army veteran of Pine Springs, Navajo Nation Arizona

 

Firewood delivery

By Bitahnii Wayne Wilson, Dine'

Censored News

Hi, I'm known as Bitahnii Wayne Wilson, I'm of my mother's clan, Bitahnii ni' Shli ( I'm Folded Arms Clan ) born for Toh aheedliinii da Shi zhe'eh ( my father's clan is The Two Waters that flows together Clan ) and Tohdichiinii da Shi Cheii ( Bitter Water Clan ) is my Maternal Grand Parent and Tsi'najinii da Shi Nali' ( The Black streak running on the tree Clan ) is my Paternal Grand Parent.

I was raised by my Grandmother and Grandfather. I was instructed to introduce myself in this way so the Holy People know who we are as Nihokaa Dine'h Bi'lah' ishdla iih ( Upon the Earth surface people ) with the clans that we were given long ago by Nahastaan Nadleehi' ( Changing Woman.)

I usually say my prayers, meditate, and give my offerings before I go out to do my deliveries. I'm only doing what I can while I can, it is a challenge but I believe and have faith in the Great Spirit as I go out to do what I can to help and assist the elderly, the children, and families who are in need of food and supplies.

I know it is dangerous in making these deliveries, but I'm also practicing keeping my distance, wearing a mask, staying clean by using some disinfectants, and washing my hands.

Food and supplies run from Albuquerque to Navajo Nation.

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