designated vaccination area created for indigenous community
smudging and cedar cleansing have become part of the routine at windsor regional hospital’s largest vaccination site.
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a designated vaccination area for indigenous individuals is shown at the st. clair college sportsplex mass vaccination site on monday, may 10, 2021.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
by: trevor wilhelm
along with security checks and covid-19 screenings, smudging and cedar cleansing have become part of the routine at windsor regional hospital’s largest vaccination site.
the hospital’s set-up at the st. clair college sportsplex is outfitted with a special section dedicated to vaccinating indigenous people.
“given canada’s history — we don’t really have the best record with indigenous people and vaccinations — it’s important to recognize how this experience could potentially be re-traumatizing for individuals,” said sara williams, a registered nurse who leads the indigenous vaccination rollout for windsor-essex. “so keeping this area indigenous-led and very focused on more of a holistic approach for people who come through here to get their vaccines has been really important in creating that culturally aware space.”
about 800 indigenous people have received vaccines at the site. as of may 10, williams said second doses for indigenous people 16 and older will be available within 26 days.
the separate vaccination area is down a designated hallway lined with traditional artwork. the four sacred medicines — cedar, sage, sweetgrass and tobacco — are there for people to take home.
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information about various indigenous community organizations is also available.
“before we opened it up to clients we did do a smudging ceremony here,” said williams, an aamjiwnaang first nation member. “we washed the walls with cedar and smudged the whole building. and we do smudge here once a week, and begin each day by spraying down the rooms with cedar water.”
she there has been great feedback form community members, with word of mouth helping increase vaccine uptake.
“the community really loves it,” said williams. “they come in here and they feel comfortable. that seems to be the number one finding. if i had to pick a theme from the feedback that we’ve got it’s that they feel safe in here and comfortable. that’s been our goal the whole time.”
indigenous people looking to get a vaccine can make an appointment by calling 1-833-927-0197 or sending an email to covvax@soahac.on.ca .
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