b'TOGETHER APARTAdapting to a New NormalCOOs Together Apart Online Chiefs AssemblyBY GENNA BENSONA success of the Online Chiefs Meeting, historic dayfor the first time ever, the Chiefs ofFirst Nations leadership welcomed the Ontario hosted their Togetheropportunity to resume meeting virtu-Apart Chiefs Assemblyally as a way to continue efforts on entirely online with more than 200new and high-level priorities for First attendees, including Chiefs, delegatesNations, including COVID-19, policing and technicians, with participation fromand justice, climate change and post-all regions and organizations. Thosepandemic equitable recovery. in attendance discussed and providedI want to thank our partners, terri-insight on various topics, includingtorial and community leaders for their infrastructure, economic development,attendance and everything theyve done Bill 197, the Environmental Assessmentto ensure this meeting was a success. Act and the COVID-19 First NationsIn this moment of crisis, we have all Emergency Response.come together as Nations in the fight During this meeting, we were able toagainst COVID-19, says Regional Chief truly listen to our Nations leadership inAnishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare RoseAnne Archibald. I especially wish to a new way, says Ontario Regional Chiefacknowledge the efforts of the Chiefs of RoseAnne Archibald. Our communitieshave been at the forefront of theOntario staff, political office staff, Harold COVID-19 emergency since it began and have gone to remarkable lengths to keep our communities and citizens safe.The meeting provided those in attendance with an opportunity to foster dialogue and work collectively to move forward on critical priorities and further enhance intergovernmental collabora-tion, while also reiterating our shared experiences and the challenges presented by COVID-19. Leadership also agreed on the importance of all government levels to continue the COVID-19 support in ensuring First Nations emer-gency response needs are met. COVID-19 has changed our world, and while it has devastated econ-omies globally, it has also provided the opportunity for First Nations leader-ship to make dramatic changes to keep communities safe and promote socio-economic recovery. Building on theChief Dean Sayers, Batchewana First Nation14l I ssue2 2020/21C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'