SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Keep calm on H1N1 is the message from Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus.

Erasmus spoke at the Dene Nation headquarters in Yellowknife on Tuesday, and reassured the public that H1N1 is not an unknown entity in Dene communities.

Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus says traditional remedies can work alongside modern medicine to increase immunity against H1N1 - James Chester/NNSL photo

"First of all, we should not panic, our people have been in situations like this before," he said. In past influenza epidemics, the last of which hit the NWT in the late 1920s, many were unprepared to deal with the disease.

"Now we are better prepared, we know what it is, and so what we're asking is for people to work closer with our office, the Dene Nation, the territorial government and federal government. This is a joint effort," he said.

The NWT has had 10 hospitalized cases of H1N1 so far, and no recorded deaths, according to the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer. The Dene Nation office is not offering clinical or logistical services itself – it attempts to bring different agencies and groups together and provides information about the 30 communities it represents.

"In a crisis situation our people don't think of the mayors, they'll think of the Dene Nation, or they'll think of their chief or their grand chief, their tribal council office," said Erasmus.

Dr. Kami Kandola, chief public health officer, advises people to take simple precautions against the spread of H1N1, such as coughing into your sleeve, washing hands, staying home and avoiding crowds.

"Having access to a healthy choice of foods is definitely going to affect your ability to fight the flu," said Kandola. "Maintain smoke free-homes because if you do get the flu and you're in a smoky home that can increase your risk of complications."

Pregnant women or anyone with an existing condition are advised to call the NWT's flu hotline. Kandola expects the much-anticipated H1N1 vaccine to be ready by the end of October, pending a press release expected from the national Public Health Agency within a week.

Traditional remedies can work alongside modern medicine to increase immunity against H1N1 and going to the nursing station or hospital is one of the last resorts, said Erasmus. "Take the vaccine but also speak with elders. If you've got traditional remedies, family remedies, then make use of those too."

Dealing with H1N1 is a matter of preparation. Community leaders and the government need to work together to make contingency plans in case a vital route is blocked, said Erasmus.

H1N1 is to be a priority at the Dene Leadership Gathering in Dettah from Oct. 19 to 23. The Dene Nation office is also working with the territorial government to have leaders present messages through media channels and to have more messages transmitted in Dene languages.

The communities, said Erasmus, are "comfortably prepared." Most of the battle can be won by using common sense to boost immunity and help others who are affected.

"Keep warm, eat good foods, make sure they sleep well, care for themselves. If there are elderly people in your community, make sure that their homes are heated, they've got fuel, they've got water," said Erasmus. "You should check on them, you should contact each other. Communities have got to band together. This is an opportunity to really work together and to care for each other."