The Six Nations of the Grand River’s Elected Council has launched a COVID-19 Relief Fund to help ease the increasing financial burden of their ongoing emergency response efforts.

The community declared a Community Emergency on March 12, 2020, initiating a series of measures to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“Our response to the COVID-19 has demonstrated our autonomy and the self-determination we rightfully hold over the future and well-being of our members,” says Chief Mark Hill. “Working with our Emergency Control Group and guided by our own emergency response plan, we have been steps ahead of our provincial and federal partners in our response to the global pandemic.”

COVID-19 Pandemic Timeline: 

• March 2, 2020 – SNGREC begins establishing a coordinated response to COVID-19
• March 11 – WHO characterizes COVID-19 as a pandemic
• March 12 – SNEC declares a Community Emergency
• March 14 – Visitors Restricted at Iroquois Lodge Long-Term Care Home
• March 17 – Ontario declares a State of Emergency
• March 17 – Canada temporarily closes U.S border
• March 28, 2020 – SNEC begins Restricting Flow of Traffic into Six Nations Territory 

The SNGREC could not wait for funds to start flowing from Ontario and Canada to take decisive action, noting that the funding they eventually receive does not come close to covering the life-saving measures.

“We had to make some tough decisions around the allocation of our community’s resources in the face of this outside threat,” says Chief Hill. “We’re increasingly feeling the effects of those decisions at all levels of our community, but we know it’s a small price to pay to protect the health and lives of our members.”

The SNGREC is hoping their partners and allies within and outside of the community will similarly step up to help with their ongoing COVID-19 emergency response by donating to the Six Nations COVID Relief Fund.

Donations made to the Six Nations COVID Relief Fund will be used to purchase much-needed Personal Protective Equipment, medical supplies including equipment to maintain essential pandemic operations as well as food and necessities for many community members who are facing financial challenges. 

The fund is being administered by the Royal Bank of Canada and contributions can be made through electronic funds transfer (EFT) and electronic banking email at: .