Indigenous (Covid-19)

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. This page was last updated by Clicklaw team on June 3, 2020 - 2:15 PM PDT.

This page provides links to online resources dealing with the ways Covid-19 public health directives are affecting the lives of British Columbians.

This list is a starting point and is not meant to be exhaustive. It is not intended to give legal advice on your particular legal problem.

Find information on filing of court documents and applications during the recovery of some court operations here: BC Courts: Court Filings & Procedures

Common legal questions

Aboriginal Legal Aid BC: Your legal questions answered

• This Q&A style guide answers common legal questions from Indigenous people about children, parenting, and Gladue reports.

People's Law School: Coronavirus: Your Legal Questions Answered

• Q&A on your legal rights, written by lawyers in plain language. Includes getting paid, temporary layoff, taking time off work, options when being self-employed, employees rights.

Legal help & lawyers

Legal Services Society: Legal Aid Services

• During Covid-19 Legal Aid is providing phone-only services.
• To apply for legal aid call 604-408-2172 or 1-866-577-2525, or contact your local legal aid agent who can be found on the Legal Services Society website.

Legal Services Society: Aboriginal Legal Aid in BC: Covid-19 Updates

• Links to resources about legal aid applications, parents legal centres, First Nations court, and Native Courtworkers.

Indigenous Community Legal Clinic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

• This free legal resource for Indigenous people seeking legal help is currently working remotely, over phone and email.
• Phone: 604-822-1311
• Email: iclc@allard.ubc.ca

Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia: Coronavirus Response

• Contact information for Native Courtworker support in communities around the province during the court closure.

Family law

Legal Services Society: Aboriginal Legal Aid in BC: Your Legal Questions Answered

• Q&A covering the impact of Covid-19 on child protection, parenting arrangements, and Gladue reports.

Indigenous Services Canada: Jordan's Principle

• Jordan's Principle services will continue during the COVID-19 state of emergency. This page has more information about Jordan's Principle.

Financial benefits & support

Indigenous Services Canada: Accessing Financial Benefits and Support during the COVID-19 Outbreak

• Information on how to access financial benefits for individuals, families, communities, those who are unable to work, seniors, students, and businesses.

Indigenous Services Canada: Examples of how COVID-19 supports can help Indigenous individuals

• This resource provides links to the government supports that individuals with different financial and family circumstances are eligible to access.

First Nations Leadership Council: Quick Guide for Individuals: COVID-19 Response Plan

• A regularly updated information page that outlines the available government supports during Covid-19 and how to access them.

BC Public Service Secretariat: Resources for All BC First Nation Individuals

• A list of financial resources and benefits available from the federal and provincial governments to Indigenous individuals in BC.

BC Public Service Secretariat: Personal Income Tax Returns for BC First Nations

• Information and tips on filing personal income tax returns to help people secure their Covid-19 benefits and credits.

Indigenous Services Canada: COVID-19 - How Indigenous people can access services and new benefits

• This video from Indigenous Canada describes how Indigenous people can access financial support using the Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. The Indigenous Services Canada YouTube channel has more videos about COVID-19 in many different languages.

CBC News Article: Announcement of funding for Indigenous people living off-reserve

• The federal government recently announced funding during the pandemic for Indigenous people living off-reserve. Funding is expected to roll out over the coming weeks.

Businesses & non-profits

First Nations Leadership Council: Quick Guide for Businesses: COVID-19 Response Plan

• Updated information about Federal and Provincial government supports for Indigenous businesses.

Resources for community leaders

First Nations Leadership Council: FNLC COVID-19 Guidance Package for Leaders

• A guide for community leaders on how to prepare and respond to a Covid-19 outbreak. It includes information on accessing emergency funding, managing group gatherings, community closures, maintaining essential services, and specific supports for rural and remote communities.

First Nations Health Authority: COVID-19: BC First Nations Community Guide for Additional Supports Needed

• A guide for First Nations in BC on how to access additional funding and health supports during Covid-19, including guidelines for acquiring, using, and storing personal protective equipment.

Indigenous Services Canada: COVID-19: First Nations Community Guide on Accessing Additional Supports

• Information and guidance on how Indigenous communities can access additional funding during Covid-19 and how they can prepare for an outbreak in their community, including information about obtaining personal protective equipment.

Federal Indian Day School Class Action

Federal Indian Day School Class Action: Community Assistance Sessions by Video Conference

• An update on how to receive assistance on completing the Federal Indian Day School Class Action claim forms during Covid-19. In-person assistance has been suspended during the pandemic, but virtual info sessions and legal support is still being offered.

Covid-19 Resources for British Columbians © Clicklaw and Courthouse Libraries BC is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Licence.