Six Nations cancels in-class learning after sharp increase in COVID-19 cases

The Six Nations of the Grand River says all students in the First Nations territory will finish this school year online.

It is dealing with the highest number of active COVID-19 cases in the community since the beginning of the pandemic.

The Six Nations Council says it will reopen schools in September for in-person learning.

Six Nations, a predominantly Haudenosaunee community, has the largest population of any First Nations reserve in Canada.

It closed its territorial borders to non-band members in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kathleen Manderville, director of federal schools, said in a statement last month that the decision is not a reflection on the hard work done to prepare the schools for in-person learning this spring.

Manderville says that school buildings will be accessed for essential work only.

Matt Ingram reports.