Locally operated radio has long played a crucial role in keeping Fort Good Hope residents informed. During Covid-19, the medium has become even more important SA国际影视传媒� and physical distancing directives are sinking in with community members, says Chief Daniel Masuzumi.

The communitySA国际影视传媒檚 long-running radio station, operated by the K'asho Got'ine government, has been keeping residents in the Sahtu community of some 500 people up to speed with Covid-19 developments in recent weeks.

Masuzumi said heSA国际影视传媒檚 been joining community radio host Tommy Kakfwi, alongside Fort Good HopeSA国际影视传媒檚 head nurse, to provide regular updates SA国际影视传媒� the current number of cases in the territory, and around the world, along with the most up-to-date orders from the GNWT.

SA国际影视传媒淎fter we say what we have to say with our information updates, we then take questions from the community, whatever they may be and then we provide them with answers,SA国际影视传媒� Masuzumi told SA国际影视传媒.

Lucy Jackson provides English-to-North Slavey interpretation during the radio updates, said Masuzumi.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e just trying to educate community members through our local radio by telling them to respect the guidelines from the health officer; (we) just keep reporting it over and over until (residents) get the message and understand,SA国际影视传媒� he continued.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e trying to bring comfort to the community in a way, telling (residents) to take this more seriously.SA国际影视传媒�

So far, Masuzumi said the messaging seems to be working; heSA国际影视传媒檚 seeing more people adhering to health safety orders.

On April 10, following the advice of Dr. Kami Kandola, the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 chief medical officer, the territory moved to ban all social gatherings, from house parties to funerals due to Covid-19.

Those recent orders, conveyed to community members over the airwaves, are being taken seriously, said Masuzumi.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 finally sinking in,SA国际影视传媒� he added.

Concern about residentsSA国际影视传媒� willingness to heed physical distancing directives was voiced by the Fort Good Hope SAO Kimberley Young, who worried about Covid-19 and its potential impact on a small health centre ill-suited to confront an outbreak.

With funerals ruled out, community grapples with how to say goodbye to Elder

While radio-communicated messaging about the risks of the novel coronavirus may be getting through to community members, the fallout from restrictions hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been easy, said Masuzumi.

An Elder, whose name is being withheld until family members are informed, recently died. But with funerals now out of the question, residents are grappling with how to say goodbye to the Elder.

Family and loved ones of the deceased who reside outside the community arenSA国际影视传媒檛 able to come and pay their respects, said Masuzumi.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 hitting people pretty hard,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

SA国际影视传媒淥nce this passes over, loved ones can have some kind of a memorial one day when this is over with,SA国际影视传媒� continued Masuzumi.

Asked whether he thinks communities ought to know if a case of Covid-19 has reached them SA国际影视传媒� a hot-button point of contention thatSA国际影视传媒檚 flared up due to the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 protocol not to inform small communities SA国际影视传媒� Masuzumi said heSA国际影视传媒檇 like to be told by officials if a case was confirmed, but, at the same time, stressed his respect for peoplesSA国际影视传媒� health privacy.

Bootleggers and checkstops

While some communities have set up checkstops in an effort to combat the spread of Covid-19, Masuzumi said there have been no serious talks about doing the same in the isolated Sahtu community. Instead, he said heSA国际影视传媒檚 keeping a close eye on who is coming and going, while discussions are underway to further monitor the winter access road to keep bootleggers at bay.

Fort Good Hope restricts the amount of alcohol allowed into the community.

On Saturday night, Fort Good Hope stopped a woman they say was carrying nearly 40 bottles of booze into the community. The woman, 34, has since been charged under the NWT Liquor Act.

Getting out on the land

Like many other NWT communities, Fort Good Hope residents are getting out on the land in an effort to distance themselves physically from one another.

About 40 people are currently out on the land, some of whom have been receiving funds from the band to stock up on supplies beforehand, said Masuzumi.