Information for indigenous communities
An information note summarizing the key COVID-19-related government instructions and measures is being produced and translated for the Aboriginal communities.
The most recent information note, dated March 25, 2020, can be downloaded in the following versions:
The government is ensuring that the communities receive and share the information that is being transmitted to the population:
- A crisis unit has been set up to support the intervention of Indigenous authorities, which includes the participation of the governments of Québec and Canada as well as a number of Indigenous organizations.
- A specific channel of communication has been opened with the Inuit, who are experiencing particular issues, owing to their geographical situation.
Also, information is being shared on a daily basis through several platforms and in several formats (press releases, press scrums and computer graphics) in order to keep Indigenous communities well informed.
We encourage citizens in Indigenous communities to consult the website daily, and to communicate with local health authorities if needed.
Like the rest of Québec’s population, Indigenous people living in urban areas are encouraged to follow the health recommendations for everyone.
Furthermore, each of the Indigenous authorities is in contact with its members living in urban areas in order to answer their questions and to inform them about local decisions relating to the spreading of the virus. In case of doubt, we recommend that you contact your Council.
Contact your local native friendship centre using the contact information in the Native Friendship Centres section or by visiting their Facebook page.
At present, priority is being placed on testing in hospitals and for travellers. We are working with the federal government and with our Indigenous partners to update the needs in each community and to review the situation daily, in order to be ready if screening becomes necessary in any of the communities under isolation.
First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC) 
Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services
Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay
Local health authorities.
Native Friendship Centres
A number of services are still available in most friendship centres in Québec although access to the public is restricted. You can also visit their Facebook pages.
- Val-D’Or Native Friendship Centre
1272, 7e rue
Val-D’Or (Québec) J9P 6W6
Phone : 819 825-6857 - Senneterre Native Friendship Centre
910, 10e Avenue
Senneterre (Québec) J0Y 2M0
Phone : 819 737-2324 - Chibougamau Eenou Native Friendship Centre
95, rue Jaculet
Chibougamau (Québec) G8P 2G1
Phone : 418 748-7667 - Lac-Saint-Jean Native Friendship Centre
700, rue Otis, C.P. 81
Roberval (Québec) G8H 2J4
Phone : 418 765-1202 - La Tuque Native Friendship Centre
544, rue Saint-Antoine
La Tuque (Québec) G9X 2Y4
Phone : 819 523-6121 - Lanaudière Native Friendship Centre
523, boulevard Ste-Anne
Joliette (Québec) J6E 5A3
Phone : 450 760-3865 - Sept-Îles Native Friendship Centre
34, rue Smith
Sept-Îles (Québec) G4R 3W2
Phone : 418 962-9229 - Montreal Autochtone
3183, rue St-Jacques, 3e étage
Montréal (Québec) H4C 1G7
Phone : 514 331-6587, ext. 201 - Trois-Rivières Native Friendship Centre
1000, boulevard du St-Maurice
Trois-Rivières (Québec) G9A 3R3
Phone : 819 840-6155 - Maniwaki Native Friendship Centre
153, rue Laurier
Maniwaki (Québec) J9E 2K6
Phone : 819 892-0892 - La maison communautaire Missinak, Centre multiservices MAMUK
8155, 1re Avenue
Québec (Québec) G1G 4B8
Phone : 418 476-8083 - Saguenay Native Friendship Centre
491, rue Jacques-Cartier Est
Saguenay (Québec) G7H 1Z9
Phone : 418 973-3424 - Québec Native Friendship Centre
234, rue Louis IX
Québec (Québec) G2B 1L4
Phone : 418 845-5898
The following list is not exhaustive. It lists known community organizations in Montréal that serve a mainly, but not exclusively, Indigenous clientele. Other resources in Montréal may offer services that are relevant to the Indigenous population.
Note that some of these organizations may have suspended some or all of their services following the latest guidelines issued by the Government of Québec for COVID‑19.
- Café de L’Itinéraire
2103, rue Sainte-Catherine Est
Montréal (Québec) H2K 2H9
Phone : 514 597-0238 - Montréal Native Friendship Centre
2001, boulevard Saint-Laurent
Montréal (Québec) H2X 2T3
Phone : 514 499-1854 - Chez Doris
1430, rue Chomedey
Montréal (Québec) H3H 2A7
Phone : 514 937-2341 - Native Women's Shelter of Montreal
PO Box 183, Station Saint-Jacques
Montréal (Québec) H3C 2S1
Phone : 514 933-4688 | 1 866 403-4688 - La Porte ouverte
3535, avenue du Parc
Montréal (Québec) H2X 2H8
Phone : 514 939-1970 - Plein milieu
4677, rue Saint-Denis
Montréal (Québec) H2J 2L5
Phone : 514 524-3661 - Projets autochtones du Québec
165, rue de la Gauchetière Est
Montréal (Québec) H2X 1P7
Phone : 514 879-3310, ext. 200 - Resilience Montreal
4000, rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest
Westmount (Québec) H3Z 1P1
Phone : 438 828-5767
The opening dates of the hunting and fishing seasons are being maintained but hunters and anglers must abide by government prohibitions. Accordingly, they must always comply with the directives and recommendations of the Direction nationale de la santé publique aimed at curbing the COVID-19 pandemic:
- avoid travelling from one region to another or from one city to another, except where necessary. Travel related to leisure activities is not deemed necessary;
- indoor or outdoor gatherings are prohibited;
- always stay at least 2 metres away from other people;
- camping is prohibited in controlled harvesting zones (zecs).
To obtain additional information, please visit this page on the ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs website .
Public notices on hygiene rules to limit the transmission of the virus
Compliance with public health instructions is essential and helps to save lives. The government is doing everything necessary to check COVID-19’s spread and to reach as many people as possible.
Everyone is asked to participate in this collective effort by sharing these computer graphics in the social media, on the Internet and in their networks.
The “Let’s continue to protect ourselves” poster that reviews the procedures to be followed to protect against the transmission of the coronavirus has been translated for the Aboriginal communities.
The Internet and social media
- Atikamekw (PNG 0.94 Mb)
- Cree (PNG 902 Kb)
- Innu (PNG 914 Kb)
- Inuktitut (PNG 890 Kb)
- Mohawk (PNG 0.94 Mb)
- Naskapi (PNG 898 Kb)
Print format
Last update: April 16, 2020
