Community collaboration between the Region of Waterloo and Indigenous leaders on the opening of vaccination clinics
Waterloo Region – In the coming weeks, COVID-19 vaccination sites will open in Waterloo Region for First Nation, Métis and Inuit residents who want to get the vaccine in a culturally appropriate setting. Many community members have come together to facilitate the opening of two pop-up Indigenous clinics.
The Waterloo Region Distribution Task Forces acknowledges the tremendous partnership that has made these vaccination clinics possible. Members of The Healing of Seven Generations, KW Urban Wigwam Project, Anishnabeg Outreach, Southwest Ontario Health Access Centre and Region of Waterloo have come together to determine a process for vaccinating the Indigenous community of Waterloo Region.
“We appreciate the opportunity to dialogue with local First Nation, Métis and Inuit Elders and identify challenges and opportunities for increasing vaccination among Indigenous residents wherever they live in the region,” said Shirley Hilton, Deputy Chief for Waterloo Region Police Service and head of the Waterloo Region Distribution Task Force. “An important focus for the Task Force is to prioritize Indigenous people in our immunization efforts and to provide culturally appropriate places to get immunized.”
Anishnabeg Outreach will open a vaccination clinic at 236 Woodhaven Road in Kitchener on March 19-20. The following week, on March 24-25, The Healing of Seven Generations and KW Urban Wigwam Project will co-host a vaccination clinic at Regional Headquarters, 150 Frederick Street in Kitchener. At both locations, an Elder will be available to support individuals with questions about health, culture and vaccine hesitancy.
First Nation, Métis and Inuit residents of Waterloo Region who want more information about these two clinics are welcome to contact Anishnabeg Outreach, The Healing of the Seven Generations, or the KW Urban Wigwam Project for more information.
Media Contact:
Sharon Ord
Acting Vaccine Communications Lead
General Inquiries: publichealth@regionofwaterloo.ca or 519-575-4400
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