Toquaht Nation on Vancouver Island gives $500 emergency benefit to all adult citizens – Westerly News
“One of the things the government wants to do is ensure the needs of the people are met.”
Apr. 8, 2020
Some coastal First Nations are providing immediate emergency relief funding to their people to help offset the hardships brought on by the COVID-19 crisis.
Toquaht Nation, located on the western shores of Barkley Sound, declared a state of emergency March 29. On April 1, the Toquaht Nation Government made the decision to provide an emergency benefit in the amount of $500 to all adult citizens.
“That state of emergency was declared so we can take some direct measures to protect community members within the territory. To meet immediate needs of all citizens an emergency benefit was made available to those above the age of 18 in the sum of $500,” said Toquaht’s director of operations Angela Polifroni.
In declaring a state of emergency, Toquaht has restricted access to all Toquaht lands to only full-time residents of the village of Macoah and essential services. The Nation has also made Internet free to all residents for the time being.
