Grand River Hospital, in partnership with The Region of Waterloo and Southwestern Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) is proud to announce a new partnership that sees Indigenous immunizers providing the COVID-19 vaccine at the Regional vaccination clinic at 66 Pinebush Road in Cambridge!
On May 12, to celebrate the beginning of this initiative, Myeengun Henry performed an opening ceremony at the vaccine clinic site. You can watch the opening ceremony on our youtube channel, here: https://youtu.be/CWcccaqxPyM. The ceremony asked for assistance from the creator, spirit guides, and Mother Earth in healing from the pandemic, and for strength for the Indigenous immunizers and all the health care workers at the clinic.
Dave Remy, Director of Client Care at SOAHAC tells us how Indigenous people can access this service: “When someone identifies as Indigenous in their vaccine registration, they’ll have the option to choose an appointment with one of our Indigenous immunizers. Not only will they get the vaccine, but they’ll also receive a package of traditional medicine (tobacco, sweet grass, cedar and sage) if they would like.”
Following the opening ceremony, we talked to Rachel Radyk, one of two Indigenous immunizers who will be working at the clinic.
Why is it important to have this representation and safe space within the vaccine clinic?
What would you like to tell to those in the Indigenous community who aren't sure if they want to get the vaccine?
Thank you to the entire SOAHAC team for enabling us to offer the Indigenous community this important service.
