Acknowledgement
The Region of Waterloo has made a commitment in Reconciliation with the local Indigenous communities. Acknowledgements offered are part of the Reconciliation process by acknowledging the history of the land while building mindfulness of our present relationship with it and each other.
The Region of Waterloo is situated on the land traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishnaabe, and Neutral Peoples. We acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge and philosophies of the Indigenous People with whom we share this land today.
On this page
- Print resources
- Web resources
- Clinics for First Nations, Métis and Inuit residents
- Frequently asked questions
Print resources
- Busting common myths about mRNA vaccines (University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy)
- COVID-19 About Vaccines (Ontario Ministry of Health)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Update Technical Briefing (Ontario Ministry of Health)
- COVID-19 Vaccines Infographic (Assembly of First Nations)
- COVID-19 viral vector vaccine FAQ (University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy)
- How mRNA vaccines work (University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy)
- Vaccines for COVID-19 (Government of Canada)
- Nuvagjuarnaq-19mut Aannialiriikkut Kapuuti ᓄᕙᒡᔪᐊᕐᓇᖅ-19ᒧᑦ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᓕᕇᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᐴᑎ (Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami)
- The Facts About Covid-19 Vaccine fact sheet (First Nations Health Advisory)
Web resources
Local organizations
- Anishnabeg Outreach
- City of Kitchener - Indigenous reconciliation
- Conestoga College Indigenous Students Services (Beh Da Bin Gamik)
- Dehsahsodre Legal Services
- Family & Children Services of the Waterloo Region
- Grand River Metis Council
- Healing of the Seven Generations
- KW Urban Native Wigwam Project
- Niagara Peninsula Aboriginal Area Management Board (NPAAMB)
- Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC)
- University of Waterloo Indigenous Initiatives
- University of Waterloo Student Services (Shatitsirotha)
- Waterloo Catholic District School Board
- Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network (LHIN)
- Waterloo Region Community Legal Services - Ahwenehaode – Indigenous Justice Program
- Waterloo Region District School Board
- Wellbeing Waterloo Region - First Nations, Metis, Inuit Advisory and Advocacy Circle
- White Owl Native Ancestry Association (WONAA)
- Wilfrid Laurier Indigenous Students Association & associated programs
Organizations
- Assembly of First Nations
- First Nations Health Authority
- Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
- Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
- Summary of COVID-19 in First Nations Communities - Government of Canada
- Maad'ookiing Mshkiki Sharing Medicine - Women's College Hospital
- Metis Nation of Ontario Town Hall Questions
- National Association of Friendship Centres
- National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases
- National Collaborating Centre of Indigenous Health
- Tungasuvvingat Inuit
Podcasts and YouTube
- Vaccinations for First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities - Rachel Radyk, Registered Practical Nurse, Southwestern Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre
- COVID Vaccines with Doctor Evan Adams - Ahkameyimok Podcast with National Chief Perry Bellegarde
- COVID-19 Vaccine Community Stakeholder Information Session (Region of Waterloo Feb 18, 2021)
- Dr. Kelly Grindrod, University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy explains "How mRNA vaccines work"
- Vaccine Hesitancy and Benefits of Getting Vaccinated - Maad'ookiing Mshkiki—Sharing Medicine (YouTube)
Mainstream news
- Manitoba's First Nations pandemic response team works to dispel myths regarding COVID-19 vaccine - CBC
- Vaccinations begin for hundreds of Indigenous elders - CBC
Clinics for First Nations, Métis and Inuit residents
These clinics will open for First Nations, Métis and Inuit residents who want to get the vaccine in a culturally appropriate setting. At all locations, cultural supports will be available to individuals with questions about health, culture and vaccine hesitancy. Appointments must be booked in advance.
How to book an appointment: First Nation, Métis and Inuit residents eligible for vaccination can book their appointment through one of the following organizations.
- Anishnabeg Outreach: Phone: 519-208-5333 / Email: info@aocan.org
- The Healing of the Seven Generations: Phone: 519-570-9118 Email: covidnavigator@healingofthesevengenerations.ca or covidadmin@healingofthesevengenerations.ca
- KW Urban Wigwam Project: Phone: 519-743-5868 / Email: kwunwpnavigator@gmail.com
- Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre via the Region of Waterloo: Phone: 519-514-1499 / Email: PHECOVIDIMMS@regionofwaterloo.ca
First Nations, Métis and Inuit residents of Waterloo Region who want more information about these clinics are welcome to contact Anishnabeg Outreach, The Healing of the Seven Generations, or the KW Urban Wigwam Project for more information.
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Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre at Cambridge Pinebush COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic |
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Please contact the navigators to check availability, Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre. Address: SmartCentres, 66 Pinebush Road, Cambridge, ON N1R 8K5 Accessible: Yes Entrance: Enter through the entrance on the west side of the building. Parking: Free parking is available on the west side of the building, close to the entrance. Public transit: This site is accessible via Grand River Transit and MobilityPLUS. Visit the Grand River Transit website for all current route information. More information: Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre via the Region of Waterloo by phone at 519-514-1499 or email at PHECOVIDIMMS@regionofwaterloo.ca |
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Anishnabeg Outreach COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic |
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Please contact the navigators for clinic dates and hours of operation. Address: 236 Woodhaven Road, Kitchener, ON Accessible: Yes Parking: Free parking with curbside drop-off available. Public Transit: This site is accessible via Grand River Transit and MobilityPLUS. Visit the Grand River Transit website for all current route information. More information: Visit Anishnabeg Outreach website, phone 519-208-5333 or email info@aocan.org. |
| The Healing of the Seven Generations and KW Urban Native Wigwam Project COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic |
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Please contact the navigators for clinic dates and hours of operation. Address: 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3 (Region of Waterloo Administration Headquarters) Accessible: Yes Parking: Free parking is located on the surface lot off of Ahrens Street. Entrance: Enter through front doors on Frederick Street (clinic is located in the cafeteria). Public Transit: This site is accessible via Grand River Transit and MobilityPLUS. Visit the Grand River Transit website for all current route information. More information:
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Frequently asked questions
| For Indigenous people to get the COVID-19 vaccine, what is considered an “Indigenous” person and do they require a status card to register? |
| Vaccination clinic staff will not be asking for status cards. The term “Indigenous” refers to anyone who self-identifies as either First Nations, Metis or Inuit – status cards or any other type of proof of indigeneity is not required. |
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Do you know if “Indigenous adults and their immediate household” includes non-Indigenous spouses of Indigenous people? |
| Yes. Non-Indigenous spouses are eligible for vaccination. Indigenous adults, includes individuals and elders regardless of status or Indigenous identity and any individuals 12 years of age and older, living in their immediate household are eligible for vaccination. |
| My sister and I are non-status Indigenous adults living in Kitchener and Cambridge. Are we eligible to pre-register for the vaccine? Or do we need to live on reserve to be eligible right now? |
| Yes. You and your sister are both eligible for vaccination. Indigenous adults, includes individuals and elders regardless of status or Indigenous identity and any individuals 12 years of age and older, living in their immediate household are eligible for vaccination. |
| How can I cancel my appointment at a First Nations, Métis and Inuit clinic? |
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If you booked your appointment at a First Nations, Métis and Inuit clinic, please call 519-514-1499 or email PHECOVIDIMMS@regionofwaterloo.ca to cancel your appointment. |
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