Resources for First Nations, Métis and Inuit
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 FAQ Children Ages 5 to 11 (Region of Waterloo PDF)
- 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)
- St. Paul’s University College at the University of Waterloo – Shatitsirotha – Indigenous Student Centre
- University of Waterloo - Office of Indigenous Relations
- 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
The Boardwalk clinic in partnership with Qualia Counselling Services is available for First Nations, Métis and Inuit residents who want to get the vaccine in a culturally appropriate setting. Cultural supports will be available at the Boardwalk every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. to individuals with questions about health, culture and vaccine hesitancy.
How to receive a vaccination: First Nation, Métis and Inuit residents eligible for vaccination can walk in at the Boardwalk clinic every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. to receive their dose with support from Qualia Counselling Services. The BoardWalk Vaccine Clinic is open to all eligible walk-ins between 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
For additional information about cultural supports available at the Boardwalk vaccine clinic, please email phecovidimms@regionofwaterloo.ca
Public Health has partnered with Qualia Counselling Services at The Boardwalk Vaccine Clinic to offer culturally safe experiences for clients. If you are interested in receiving your vaccine with the additional in-person support of the Qualia team, they are available every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. at The Boardwalk Vaccine Clinic.
For more information about Qualia Counselling Services and what support they offer, please visit their website.
To learn more about the Boardwalk vaccine clinic, please visit our Get a Vaccine webpage.
| Anishnabeg Outreach |
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Walk-in clinics for those who self-identify as First Nations, Métis and Inuit and their immediate household. Hours of operation:
Walk-ins:
Address: 236 Woodhaven Rd Kitchener, ON N2C 1V5 Vaccine type: Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (30+ years old) and Pfizer-BioNTech (5 to 29 years old) |
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150 Frederick St. |
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Hours of operation:
Walk-ins:
Address: 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener ON N2H 2L9 Vaccine type: Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (30+ years old) and Pfizer-BioNTech (5 to 29 years old) |
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. |
Social Media Posts
What's your why?
After you receive your COVID-19 vaccination, add a band aid sticker or frame to your social media posts along with hashtags #WhatsYourWhyWR and #TeamVaccineWR, to encourage others to get their vaccine
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Download: Winter Blue Twitter/Facebook frame Winter Green Twitter/Facebook frame Winter Purple Twitter/Facebook frame
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Twitter and Facebook frames: Add one of these frames to your Twitter and Facebook posts. Download a frame, add it to your picture through your photo editor app, and share your reason for why you are getting vaccinated.
Example: Getting vaccinated means I can spend our upcoming anniversary with our family and start seeing loved ones again. #WhatsYourWhyWR |
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Download: |
Instagram frames: Add one of these frames to your Instagram posts. Download a frame and add it to your picture through your photo editor app.
Example:
I got vaccinated for my students. I can’t wait to be back with them in class. #WhatsYourWhyWR #TeamVaccineWR |
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Channels
| YouTube |
Anishnabeg Outreach
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