The waiting line set up outside Northern Chisasibi allows the store to control the number of customers shopping at one time while practicing social distancing.

 “We are all in this together.” This encouraging motto has been a form of emotional support for everybody standing by each other – figuratively – through thick and thin during the COVID-19 crisis. In the community of Chisasibi, QC, our Northern team is no bystander.

As a brick-and-mortar store in a remote community, physical contacts and warm verbal interaction are typically what help make community members feel part of a big family that has their back. Yet in this peculiar circumstance, this type of engagement is limited.

Understanding the importance of cooperation and companionship, Chisasibi is committed to overcoming hardship together. Right from the get-go, the Northern store was in close contact with the local Band, which provided the store managers with an exclusive point of contact. Barbara Spencer is in daily communication with the store to provide immediate assistance and brainstorm ideas to support everyone in the region.

“It has been a great two-way communication from the beginning,” says Northern Chisasibi’s Store Manager Ed McKay. “With the Band and Barbara’s help, we were able to send two of our relief staff to the town to self-isolate and to help us have quicker access to support staff if needed.”

Chisasibi’s governance body offered a few additional casual workers – some who have been out of work due to COVID-19 – to help Northern staff with their increased workload. This generous prompt support of workers – one of whom is paid directly by the Band – has allowed highly requested services such as delivery and phone-in ordering to be implemented aptly and accurately, as well as freight to be handled efficiently.

 “The support from Mark Blake, my Director of Sales and Operations, and my team here at Northern Chisasibi has really helped us make the community feels a little more normal, in a very abnormal circumstance. This is a relationship we hope to continue to build on,” McKay says.