All Ermineskin Cree Nation employees are to report back to work on Monday, April 11, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. The following EOC recommendations were approved by Chief and Council at today’s duly convened meeting. - Return to regular hours on Monday, April 11, 2022. Regular hours will resume from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (every other Friday Off) - Staff to receive a two week notice on the return to regular work hours. - Continue with the safety protocols in all ECN buildings e.g. social distancing, masks, triage conducted at entry points, etc. - Non ECN employees to be permitted to enter BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. - Rapid Testing to continue for all ECN employees. - Funeral and wakes – not permitted in ECN buildings. - Youth activities – approve outdoor sports. Please be advised that all safety protocols will continue to be followed for the safety of each other and the community members. When back to work, please ensure that we all continue to disinfect our work stations, frequently touched surfaces in our office, door knobs, light switches, chairs, etc. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your immediate Supervisor. I trust that this is satisfactory. I remain, Respectfully. Geraldine Hill Administrator Ermineskin Cree Nation

At a duly convened Chief and Council Regular meeting held on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, the EOC recommendations were reviewed and approved. The following will be effective February 28, 2022: · Keeping Ermineskin Cree Nation employees safe is paramount. · Active cases in Ermineskin will be heavily monitored. · A bench mark of 75 active in Ermineskin will determine whether or not the Chief and Council will dial back the BACK TO WORK PLAN. · Retain and enforce current work place safety protocols. · Weekly work days will be Mondays to Thursdays. · Weekly work hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. · Mandatory Rapid Testing – Sundays and Mondays · In person meetings permitted with limitations. · Travel for meetings is permitted. Safety protocols will remain in effect – wearing of facemasks, social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing. Please continue to disinfect and sanitize your work stations. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or your Director. Please continue to provide negative test results to your immediate Supervisor or upon entry to the ECN buildings. As well, if any ECN member wish entry to the buildings, a negative test result must be provided. I trust that this is satisfactory. I remain, Respectfully. Geraldine Hill Administrator Ermineskin Cree Nation

ECN OPERATIONS - FEBRUARY 14 TO FEBRUARY 28, 2022 At a duly convened Chief and Council meeting, Chief and Council approved the EOC recommendations as presented. For the continuing safety of all Leadership, ECN Employees and the members, the ECN Operations will continue to be shut down for the period of February 14 to February 28, 2022. All safety covid protocols will continue to be followed, despite the Province’s lifting of restrictions. · Shutdown will be extended for two weeks with the exception of essential services. · Active cases will continue to be monitored daily. · Only essential staff at Tribal Administration. · Continue with cohorts for essential services departments. For the essential services staff, please continue to be diligent in following all safety protocols while at work – wearing of face masks, social distancing, hand sanitizing, and disinfecting work stations/frequently touched areas. All ECN buildings are closed to the public. All those entering the administration building must continue to show their most recent negative test results upon entry. Together, we can lower the cases in Neyaskweyahk. Let’s continue to keep each other safe from this virus. Currently, the active case numbers are decreasing in Maskwacis; however, the numbers are still high, as well as those in hospital, and our vaccination rates are still below average. So please continue to stay safe and stay healthy. The EOC will continue to monitor the community status. Respectfully. Geraldine Hill Administrator Ermineskin Cree Nation

This is to inform that at a duly convened Special Chief and Council meeting held today, January 28, 2022, the EOC recommendations were approved as presented. For the continuing safety of all Leadership, ECN employees and the members, the ECN Operations will be shut down for a period of two weeks from January 31 to February 11, 2022. All safety covid protocols will continue to be followed; · Shutdown would be two weeks with the exception of essential services. · Active cases will continue to be monitor daily. · Only essential staff at Tribal Administration. · Continue with cohorts for essential services departments. For the essential services staff, please continue to be diligent in following all safety protocols while at work – wearing of face masks, social distancing, handwashing, hand sanitizing and disinfecting works stations/frequently touched areas. All ECN buildings are closed to the general public. As well, it is encouraged that all ECN leadership, employees and contractors continue to attend the Rapid Testing Clinics scheduled on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Neyaskweyahk Okimaw Kamik. All those entering the Administration building must show their most recent negative test result upon entry. Together we can lower the cases in Neyaskweyahk. Let’s continue to keep each other safe from this virus. Currently with the number of positive cases in the Maskwacis area, please continue to stay safe and stay healthy. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me or your Director. I remain, Respectfully. Geraldine Hill ECN Administrator

The following are the ECN Operational safety protocols for the month of January, 2022. Please keep in mind that this may change because of the increase in positive cases in Maskwacis. · Extend current work days and work hours to January 31, 2022; · Work days will remain as Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; · Work hours will remain as 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. · With the exception of essential services, the above workdays and work hours will not apply; · ECN work meetings – follow Alberta Gathering Guidelines (indoor 10 – outdoor 20); · Proof of a negative test result must be provided before entering the workplace; · Schedule Rapid Testing for Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. · Wakes and Feasts to continue to be held in homes. Please continue to follow all safety protocols while at work – wearing of facemasks, social distancing, hand washing, hand sanitizing, sanitizing of work stations and frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs, desks, chairs, etc.). There is to be no access to public buildings for the general public unless they have an appointment. Continue to keep each other and our members safe! Respectfully, Geraldine Hill

In light of the recent spike in COVID-19 and Delta Variant cases in Maskwacis, Chief and Council approved and restored by motion the following safety measures effective October 1, 2021 and until further notice: • In office work days – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with the exception of essential services. • Work hours will remain the same – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. • Where social distancing is an issue for example shared office space, decrease number of people in the office. A work rotation of employees should be implemented. • AHS/MHS Vaccine confirmation required before entering offices. • Covid Negative test results no later than 72 hours old to be provided before entering offices. If not, then employees will not be paid until a negative test result is provided. We respect those who cannot or wish NOT to receive any of the Covid vaccines; however, it is imperative we keep each other safe while in the workplace. • Buildings will remain closed to the public, by appointments only and for emergencies. • NOK to remain closed. • Wakes, funerals and feast events to remain in private homes. The Ermineskin Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) continues to monitor COVID-19 and variant active cases in Maskwacis, work closely with other the Maskwacis Nations, Maskwacis Health Services (MHS) and follow or exceed Albert Health Services (AHS) Safety Standards. Ermineskin Cree Nation continues to encourage the following safety measures: • Mandatory Masks at all times while in all public buildings. • Wash and sanitize your hands frequently. • We encourage those who are vaccinated to get tested regularly as a safety precaution, especially employees who work for departments deemed as an essential service. • Social distance. • If you have any symptoms, get tested and stay home until you have received a Covid negative test result. On a final note, the Ermineskin Chief and Council are very aware of the COVID-Fatigue experienced by many but the virus remains active; therefore, we need to continue to be diligent in following the safety measures, keeping ourselves and each other safe. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Anne M. Wildcat Director - Property & Infrastructure Management Ermineskin Cree Nation

At a duly convened Chief and Council Regular meeting held on July 27, 2021, a motion was passed approving Phase 2 – reopening plan will continue in effect with the following updates for the month of August 2021. (1) curfew will be lifted and checkpoint security removed. However, barriers will remain in place. This decision will reverse in the event COVID cases begin to escalate in Maskwacîs. (2) Current work hours will remain as is: Monday to Thursday 10:00am to 4:00pm for the month of August 2021. (3) Travel restrictions are lifted. (4) In person meetings are permitted with limited capacities based on ECN meeting venues and conditions (Small Size Meeting Room eg. Chief Board Room: 6 ppl, Medium Size eg. Council Chamber: 15ppl and Large Meeting Room eg. NOK building: 50 ppl) that safety protocols are to be enforced such as social distancing, masks to be worn in all buildings with the exception when alone in your office or you had been double vaccinated. (5) EOC is still expected to monitor active COVID cases in Maskwacîs. (6) No wakes or funerals in ECN building permitted . . . .yet. All safety protocol will continue to be followed – wearing a mask, social distancing, hand washing, and hand sanitization. All offices are still closed to the public. Programs and Services are accessible by appointment only. All staff still required to sanitize their work stations, light switches and office doorknobs. The safety of all Leadership, all staff and our citizens is top priority and please do your part in continuing to practise all safety protocols. COVID and its variants are still around and let us all keep it out of our community of Maskwacis.

At a duly convened Chief and Council Regular meeting held on July 13th, a motion was passed approving Phase 2 – Return to work Roll out Plan. This recall back to work will include all Coordinators, all Administrative/Executive Assistants, Receptionists and including staff that are 65 years and older. This motion is effective July 19, 2021, so all staff are required to return to work. Days and hours of ECN Administration and operations will be Monday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with every Friday off, until further notice. All safety protocols will continue to be followed - wearing of a face mask, social distancing, hand washing, and hand sanitization. All offices are still closed to the public. Programs and Services are accessible by appointment only. All staff are still required to sanitize their work stations, light switches and office doorknobs. The safety of all Leadership, all staff and our citizens is top priority and please do your part in continuing to practice all safety protocols. COVID is still around and let us all keep it out of our community of Maskwacis. Respectfully, Geraldine Hill

Hours of operation for the Ermineskin Administration and Departments will remain as is, open Tuesday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For all Managers, Directors, and certain Essential Services staff. Offices will be closed to the public, programs and services are accessible to the public by appointment only. Please call or email staff to book your appointment. All health and safety protocols will continue, Masks will remain mandatory in all ECN public buildings after July 1st, 2021, until further notice. Offices will be closed on Thursday, July 1st due to the Stat holiday. We thank you for your continued cooperation, for contributing to the wellbeing and safety of our community.

ON JULY 1st, the only changes Ermineskin will see are Change to CURFEW: CURFEW will now be 12:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. starting July 1, 2021. The Administration and Department HOURS OF OPERATION will continue to be TUESDAYS TO THURSDAY with only directors, managers, and essential staff at this time. Hours of operation will remain at 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Masks are still mandatory in public buildings, Large public gatherings are not permissible at this time. Until further notice. The ECN Emergency Operations Committee and leadership will reevaluate potentially easing further restrictions to Phase 2 in the upcoming weeks. This will ONLY be decided when certain conditions are safe to do so, and will always be subject to change. Timing and level of restrictions will be determined when they evaluate the active cases and vaccination rates in our local community as well as those within the province.

Starting July 1st, the ECN Curfew Hours will change to 12:00am Midnight to 6:00am. Please respect Security and follow the ECN Health and Safety Regulations. We thank you for your cooperation

Ermineskin Cree Nation has been delivering Wellness Hampers for on-reserve homes, in Buck Lake, Pigeon Lake and Smallboy Camp this week. They will complete the deliveries on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, for the areas of 611 west and 611 Central areas. Hampers include: 4 different craft sets, $100 Sobey’s gift card, Neyaskweyahk Wellness Guide.

As of June 15th, Hours of Opperation will be Tuesday to Thursday, 10:00am - 4:00pm. Directors and Managers will bein office during regulated office hours. Programs and Services will be available during regulated hours, and ALL ECN offices will remain closed to the public. Programs and services will be accessible by appointment ONLY. Essenential staff will continue to be provided. Non-essential staff will continue to work remotely. All health and safety protocols will continue to be followed. Please follow all covid restriction guidelines and keep yourselves safe.

UPDATE MAY 26th, 2021: There will continue to be a minimum number of staff in the Administration Building, all buildings will remain closed to the public and access to buildings is by appointment only. What does this mean? • Hours of operations will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. • There will be no change for essential workers and services. All services for emergencies only. • All safety protocols will continue to be in place; face masks, hand sanitizing, social distancing, frequent disinfecting of workstations, doorknobs, etc. if at work. Please continue to be keep informed of any/all announcements of the current COVID situation and do your part in keeping the virus out of our community of Neyaskweyahk and Maskwacis. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. I trust that this is satisfactory. I remain, Respectfully Geraldine hill Ermineskin Cree Nation Administrator *Note changes to be announced on June 14th, 2021 on staff in the office, and staff working from home.

UPDATE MAY 4, 2021: Please be advised, as approved by Chief and Council motion at today’s duly convened meeting that the ECN Administration and Operations will be shut down to MAY 31, 2021, as recommended by the Ermineskin Emergency Operations Committee. Furthermore, a co-hort system will be implemented where required to ensure safety. This is a measure seriously taken for the safety and wellbeing of all leadership, employees and our citizens. There will continue to be a minimum number of staff in the Administration Building, all buildings are closed to the public and access to buildings is by appointment only. What does this mean? • Hours of operations will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. • There will be no change for essential workers and services. All services for emergencies only. • All safety protocols will continue to be in place; face masks, hand sanitizing, social distancing, frequent disinfecting of workstations, doorknobs, etc. if at work. Please continue to be keep informed of any/all announcements of the current COVID situation and do your part in keeping the virus out of our community of Neyaskweyahk and Maskwacis. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. I trust that this is satisfactory. I remain, Respectfully. Geraldine hill Ermineskin Cree Nation Administrator

Ermineskin Administration and Departments will be temporarily Closed until April 30, 2021, due to an increase in Covid 19 cases in Maskwacis. For the health and safety of our staff and members, the offices will be closed to staff and the general public at this time. All Essential Services will continue to operate. All emergency contacts are listed on the Ermineskin website https://ermineskin.ca/ Thank you for your cooperation! And we would like to ask that all citizens please follow all recommended health and safety restrictions to prevent the spread of the covid-19 virus and variants. Stay safe and stay well. Ermineskin Chief and Council

***If you are an Ermineskin Resident and are required by MHS to Quarantine/ Self Isolate due someone in your home being Covid-19 Positive you can call this number to assist you with Food Assistance: Contact Courtney at 780-335-6048. ***If you are a "Close Contact" of a positive case and asked to isolate you can contact DeAnne at the Food Bank for hamper assistance 780-585-2377, you may leave a message with your name and number.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Information. Age has changed to 40+ Date: MARCH 30TH, 2021 & APRIL 6TH, 2021 Location: N.O.K. Building

Ermineskin Emergency Operations is in preparation to distribute the Phase 2 Roll-Out of the Moderna Vaccine. The 2nd Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine will be administered within a 4 month (12 weeks) period. This vaccine will be available for members and non-band members that reside on Ermineskin Cree Nation Reserve or Off-Reserve, who are 50+ years old. Immune compromised nation members with chronic conditions (eg, diabetes etc.), will also be a priority. The date of the distribution is yet to be announced. You can call the Covid Hotlines to register ahead of time for the vaccine. When Ermineskin Cree Nation receives a specific date from Maskwacis Health Services for a vaccine clinic, all registrants will receive a call back to book an appointment. Phone lines will be open from Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and voicemail or texting is available. There will be doctors available and on-site the day of the vaccine clinic if you have any questions. We thank you for your cooperation.

This is to inform all, that the ECN Administration and Program operations will remain with the following operational hours and times; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This schedule will be followed until further notice by the Chief and Council and depending on AHS lifting restrictions/bans. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Keeping our leadership, all employees and nation members safe is important during this evolving and challenging pandemic. All safety protocols will continue to be followed – wearing of face masks, social distancing, handwashing and hand sanitizing in all public areas. Stay healthy and stay safe. Geraldine Hill ECN Administrator.

ECN Administration and Program operations will remain with the following operational hours and times; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This schedule will be followed until further notice by the Chief and Council and depending on AHS lifting restrictions/bans. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Keeping our leadership, all employees and nation members safe is important during this evolving and challenging pandemic. All safety protocols will continue to be followed – wearing of face masks, social distancing, handwashing and hand sanitizing in all public areas. Stay healthy and stay safe. Geraldine Hill ECN Administrator.

ECN will continue operations as is, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. Essential staff only. Until further notice as determined by Chief and Council. Thank you, Geraldine Hill Ermineskin Cree Nation Administrator

Chief Ermineskin speaks on the COVID-19 Hotlines, which are meant for those who have tested positive and are in need of services such as good hampers, water and disinfectant supplies. These numbers ARE NOT DISTRESS LINES. If you should have questions you are encouraged to call Health Link at 811.

Chief Ermineskin encourages community members to continue to follow the self-isolation and quarantine laws to help keep the community safe. He also gives thanks to the frontline workers for testing our citizens, keeping them informed and continuing to support our community during the pandemic. "On behalf of our elders and most vulnerable citizens, we ask that you adhere to the health guidelines. Do not break quarantine and stay home if you are feeling sick or unwell." Also, Covid-19 Hotlines have been implemented for those who have tested positive and are in need of services while in self-isolation.

Community Wellness will be offering a drive-thru Christmas event, “Candy Cane Lane,” at the P&R building on December 16th from 4 to 7 PM. Turkey hampers are being distributed at the Jim Rattlesnake building each day from noon until the daily supplies run out. If you are unable to get a hamper, please return it the next day. Our first shipment ran out very quickly and EIRD staff will be distributing each day starting at noon and will be out each day, including the weekend, until all hampers are distributed. Please be aware that there are only 10 people total allowed in the Ermineskin mall at any time. Please be patient and kind while picking up hampers and cheques, it is a stressful time for us all and the staff are working hard. As before, essential services will continue to operate as they have previously. The new Alberta guidelines will not affect our operations, as we have set in place our own guidelines to protect our community, as well. Those who are able will be working from home. As of December 10, 2020, there have been 537 total cases in Maskwacis, with 168 active cases, 369 recoveries, and 8 in hospital. There have been 3 deaths due to the virus so far. The Government of Alberta has set in place new guidelines in their effort to battle swelling case numbers of COVID-19. There is now a province-wide mask mandate. Effective December 8, all indoor and outdoor social gatherings are prohibited. This will be enforced in Provincial jurisdictional areas, off-reserve, with $1,000 fines. Effective at 12:01 AM on December 13 further restrictions will be put into place. All retail properties must limit occupants to 15% of fire code regulations. Many entertainment properties will be closed for a minimum of 4 weeks, including restaurants, bars, lounges, cafes, casinos, bingo halls and theatres. All indoor recreation facilities must close, including gyms, spas, pools, indoor rinks and arenas, community halls and centres. Restaurants will still be able to offer delivery and takeout. Personal and wellness services must also close, including piercing and tattoo shops, salons and barber shops, and massage therapists. Regulated health services can remain open by appointment only and should be limited to one-on-one services. Professional services can remain open by appointment only. Social services can remain open for in-person services including social, protective, or emergency services, shelters for vulnerable persons, and not-for-profit kitchens, religious kitchens and soup kitchens. Local RCMP have asked that youth please stay home to cut down transmission. Even if someone has no symptoms, they may still be contagious. The vaccines that are on the way signal light at the end of the tunnel, but we must still buckle down to keep our community safe. Kinanaskomitinawaw. Stay Safe, Stay Home and stay vigilant.

Leadership will be having a meeting deciding if a longer shutdown is needed for ECN Offices. To stop the spread of Covid-19, Santa's Anonymous has been cancelled. We understand that a lot of families utilize this program, and we do regret to info the public that it will not be operating this year. Also, a reminder to please follow the Health and Safety guidelines at our Maskwacis Post office, Security will be monitoring the traffic of people coming in going, as it is busy during the holidays. Ay Hay

Ermineskin Chief and Council agree to do a complete shutdown of the Ermineskin Tribal Administration offices from Monday, November 23, 2020, to December 7, 2020. This decision was based on the recent increase of COVID positive cases in Maskwacis. The safety and well-being of all ECN employees and citizens are paramount during this time for the Chief and Council, along with the Emergency Operations Committee. It is very important to follow safety protocols are that currently in place, and as set out by AHS/MHS - wearing of face masks, hand sanitizing, and social distancing. We are also urging to minimize family gatherings. We all must do our part in flattening the curve of this virus in Maskwacis. Please remain calm, do your part by following all safety protocols. Be safe and stay healthy, we are all in this together. Furthermore, appropriate disinfection protocols are scheduled and implemented. The office closure is effective Monday, November 23, 2020. The following will be also in effect:

• All staff that can work from home are to do so
• All meetings are to be done by video or teleconference
• Schedule the disinfection of the Administration Building
• When staff returns in December a rotation of staff will be developed and implemented
• All bookings for the Neyaskweyahk Okimaw Kamik will be postponed until further notice
• Tribal Administration shut down will not apply to NHS, Women’s Shelter, KKI and essential services
• Stay home if you are feeling sick

ECN Property Management Offices will be closed due to a Confirmed COVID-19 Case within the staff. MHS has started the necessary contact tracing. Please be advised that the EMP Office will be closed from November 12th - November 20th, 2020. Emergency Calls will still be serviced.

With the Covid-19 cases continuing to rise within the community of Maskwacis and Ermineskin, ECN Leadership has decided that the office closure will be extended until DECEMBER 17TH, 2020. Ermineskin administration, programs and services will remain closed. The essential staff will work Tuesday to Thursday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Offices will remain closed to the public unless an appointment has been made prior. Our Emergency Contact List is available for those who need essential services or after-hours services.

An employee at the Maskwacis Post Office has tested positive for COVID-19. The POst office will be closed until November 9th, 2020. We are following the guidance of public health in informing the staff, supporting contact tracing and conduction thorough precautionary sanitization of the facility.

ECN Administration, programs and services will be closed for the week of November 2nd until November 9th, 2020. Essential staff will work Tuesday to Thursday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Offices will remain closed to the public unless an appointment has been made prior.

ECN Office closures will be extended to November 2, 2020. Essential Services will continue to operate. The ECN offices are CLOSED to the PUBLIC, we ask the public to please do not enter the public buildings at this time, this is to ensure the safety of those essential services staff at work. We ask that the public please follow the safety measures in place, and use the emergency contact list to reach those departments for services needed.

Due to the rise of COVID-29 Cases within Ermineskin and Maskwacis, The Four Nation's Chief's are working together with Maskwacis Health Services and the Emergency Management Teams, and have decided on an additional two-week office closure, effective as of OCTOBER 13TH, 2020. Essential services, the gas bar, bank and businesses will be limiting persons, allowing only those with proper PPE such as masks and hand sanitizing.

To take extra safety precautions, ECN leadership has decided that it would be best to close the offices to help protect our staff, as well as our community. The office's closure will be effective as of October 7th, 2020 and will continue until October 13th, 2020. Our essential services will continue to operate. Please contact their emergency numbers should you need any emergency services

Maskwacis Health Services notified Ermineskin Director of Management of an individual of Ermineskin Cree Nation who has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was told to self quartine after being tested on September 28th, 2020. Maskwacis Health Services have already conducted contact tracing, and have contacted those who have come in contact with the individual. ECN Leadership and Maskwacis Health Services want to ensure community member that there is no immediate threat to the public, but you should be following public health protocol such as:

• Wearing a face mask in public
• Maintain Social Distancing
• Clean Commonly touched surfaces
• Frequently was haves for twenty (20) seconds
• Avoid Contact with sick individuals
• Stay home if you are feeling sick

At a duly convened Chief and Council meeting held September 4th, 2020, a motion was approved regarding the Administration office operations. Effective September 8th, 2020, new office hours will be 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, and THURSDAYS. This will be reviewed again by the Chief and Council at the end of September.  All safety precautions will remain in effect-by appointment only, mandatory face masks, hand sanitizing, and social distancing. Buildings will still be closed to the public. ACCESS TO SERVICES WILL BE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

As of today, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19. Citizens are encouraged to get tested if you should start to show any symptoms as soon as possible. Due to the circumstances that had happened in Samson Band on July 15th, 2020, as a precautionary measure, ECN Leadership (with recommendations of the ECN Emergency Operations Committee) have made the following changes: Security Operations are now 24 hours, 7 days a week. The curfew will return to 10:00 pm - 6:00 am, as well as all non-essential services within Ermineskin will be closed for a two week period. ONLY Essential Services will continue to operate, only for emergency services. All ECN Department Buildings will be closed off to the public.

The New ECN Office Hours will be Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm for all departments, while all essential Services (Fire Dept., Public Works, Security, etc.) will continue to operate during regular full hours. ALL ECN Buildings are now closed to the public. If you should need access to any of the offices, you must make an appointment. Hampers will also be delivered from June 8th - June 12th, depending on the weather and road conditions. The ECN First Annual Yard and Garden Contest were held.

Ermineskin Cree Nation Administration operations will continue to be limited, be advised the office building remains closed to the public until further notice, only essential services and staff will be in operation. ECN office hours are from 1 pm to 3 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays ONLY. If you need to reach staff you may call during those hours on Mondays and Wednesdays, or you can contact them by email, which you can find on the staff listings webpage on the Ermineskin Cree Nation Website. Concerning safety, Curfew and Security Checkpoints will remain in place. We advise citizens to respect and abide by the security measures that are in place for the health and protection of all our members. Any violators will be fined and actions will be taken to ensure the law is being enforced. We hope all members are aware of the seriousness of the infractions of this law, and their implications. The leadership and the Ermineskin Emergency Response team are doing what we can to aid and assist our citizens during this pandemic; there are supports available for our nation citizens residing on and off-reserve, including Pigeon Lake, Buck Lake, and Smallboy Camp.

Council of Ermineskin Cree Nation deems it to be in the best interests of Ermineskin to amend 1992 Curfew Law (can be found on the External Affairs Webpage) to respond to the emergency, to secure the health and safety of individuals attending at or residing on the Ermineskin Cree Nation's Reserve lands, to encourage the observation of law and order and to prevent disorderly conduct and nuisances on its reserve lands

A State of Emergency is hereby declared by the Samson Cree Nation, Ermineskin Cree Nation, Louis Bull Tribe and Montana First Nation effective March 22, 2020, covering all citizens of our Nations and those residing within our territory of the Maskwacis Cree. The State of Emergency has been declared due to the COVID-19 outbreak that is a global pandemic as declared by the World Health Authority. This pandemic threatens the health, safety and lives of our citizens.

ECN leadership activated the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in response to the Level 4 Category Risk as identified by Alberta Health Services; this included enacting the EOC committee as a responsive team. The EOC Committee consists of ECN Program Directors inclusive of NGCI, Children’s Services, MHS, Maskwacis Ambulance, MESC and RCMP. Greg Minde is the Director and point lead to oversee the Ermineskin Emergency Operations Centre Team.

ECN department directors and managers underwent First Nations Emergency Management Training Certification.