Apart from the odd essential worker, you wonSA国际影视传媒檛 see many people around Colville Lake.

ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 because most residents have grabbed their gear, stocked up on essentials, and headed out on the land SA国际影视传媒� part of an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19 on the communitySA国际影视传媒檚 own traditional terms.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople are taking off on the land, and thereSA国际影视传媒檚 people that are taking off already now. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of caution,SA国际影视传媒� said David Codzi, assistant band manager at Behdzi Ahda First Nation.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 barely anybody in the community right now,SA国际影视传媒� said Codzi. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e trying to isolate the community pretty early on.SA国际影视传媒�

Of the some 170 residents that make up the small Sahtu community, Codzi said only about 80 are still in the community. Most of them, he said, are essential service workers SA国际影视传媒� people manning garbage and sewage duties and overseeing water supplies.

Residents are receiving funding from the First Nation to stock up on supplies before heading out on the land to hunt, harvest and fish.

SA国际影视传媒淲e spent a lot of our own funds making sure people are getting out on the land, we bought - made sure they had food and gas and all that,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Codzi said he isnSA国际影视传媒檛 worried about food supplies in the small community. He is, however, concerned about the potential impact of COVID-19 on Colville LakeSA国际影视传媒檚 health station.

SA国际影视传媒淲e just have a community health liaison. We have a health station but itSA国际影视传媒檚 cramped and small,SA国际影视传媒� said Codzi.

SA国际影视传媒�(If COVID-19 does hit here) it will be overwhelming,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think most people are just going to stay away from the community for a little bit,SA国际影视传媒� added Codzi.

Meanwhile, the community is doing everything it can SA国际影视传媒� offline and online SA国际影视传媒� to get the message across that COVID-19 is serious, and that social distancing protocol must be followed.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have signs up everywhere. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of social networking on Facebook and those sorts of things. People are taking social distancing seriously,SA国际影视传媒� Codzi told SA国际影视传媒.

With few supports in the event of an outbreak, Codzi wants to see supplies allocated to the community by the GNWT.

"We donSA国际影视传媒檛 really have medical personnel with all the training," said Codzi.

"They could send a bunch of PPEs (personal protective equipment) here so weSA国际影视传媒檙e prepared. Protective gear if anything comes to happen - like masks and gloves."

Fortunately, said Codzi, the people of Colville Lake know how to meet adversity head on.

SA国际影视传媒淓verybody has knowledge on the land,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

SA国际影视传媒淧art of our traditional stories SA国际影视传媒� Elders always said there will come a time when we have to rely on the land again.

This is one of those moments.SA国际影视传媒�