COVID-19 among Indigenous communities: Case studies on Indigenous nursing responses in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States

Globally, Indigenous Peoples experience disparate COVID-19 outcomes. This paper presents case studies from Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United States of America and explores aspects of government policies, public health actions, and Indigenous nursing leadership for Indigenous communities during a pandemic. Government under-performance in establishing Indigenous-specific plans and resources, burdened those countries with higher COVID-19 cases and mortality rates. First, availability of quality data is an essential element of any public health strategy, and involves disaggregated, ethnic-specific data on Indigenous COVID-19 cases, mortality rates, and vaccination rates. When data is unavailable, Indigenous Peoples are rendered invisible. Data sovereignty principles must be utilised to ensure that there is Indigenous ownership and protections of these data. Second, out of necessity, Indigenous communities expressed their self-determination by uniting to protect their Peoples and providing holistic and culturally meaningful care, gathering quality data and advocating. Indigenous leaders used an equity lens that informed national, state, regional, and community-level decisions relating to their Peoples. Third, at the forefront of the pandemic, Indigenous nursing leadership served as a trusted presence within Indigenous communities. Indigenous nurses often led advocacy, COVID-19 testing, nursing care, and vaccination efforts in various settings and communities. Indigenous nurses performed vital roles in a global strategy to reduce Indigenous health inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Fourth, historically, pandemics have heightened Indigenous Peoples’ vulnerability. COVID-19 amplified Indigenous health inequities, underscoring the importance of high-trust relationships with Indigenous communities to enable rapid government support and resources. Holistic approaches to COVID-19 responses by Indigenous peoples must consider the wider determinants of wellbeing including food and housing security. Findings from these case studies, demonstrate that Indigenous self-determination, data sovereignty, holistic approaches to pandemic responses alongside with Governmental policies, resources should inform vaccination strategies and future pandemic readiness plans. Finally, in any pandemic of COVID-19-scale, Indigenous nurses’ leadership and experience must be leveraged for a calm, trusted and efficient response.