February 15th, 2021, CFWE (Alberta Radio)
“What we have been hearing over the past several months is that First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities face barriers from accessing their own health data, so what this project does is it will enable them to collect their own data and respond to any impacts, reducing reliance on any outside agencies of governments”
Canadian researchers have developed a new app that is designed to help Indigenous communities around the world with their COVID-19 pandemic response.
The “COVID-19 Indigenous” app was created at the University of Manitoba in partnership with Indigenous leaders. It is considered the first of its kind. The app will allow communities to document impacts and responses to the pandemic in real time, communities will have full control of their own data.
Data collected can be used by communities to advocate for policy-making changes concerning COVID-19 and set an example of the effectiveness of digital tools to support and promote Indigenous health and data sovereignty.
