Operation Remote Immunity

My name is Michaela Patterson, and I am a Black 4th year nursing student at Queen’s University. For the past 2 weeks, I had the unique opportunity to work with ORNGE to deliver COVID-19 vaccines. Operation Remote Immunity delivers these vaccines to 31 fly-in-only First Nations communities. I feel both honoured and grateful to be welcomed into three different reserves in 14 days. During this time, I learned as much as I could from community members while also doing my own research. I was taught about what Treaty 9 means to the communities, and its unique meaning to each person who trusted me enough to share their experiences. My time in Wapekeka, Mishkeegogamang, and Fort Hope has truly been life-changing. As a health care provider, it has given me more insight into what culturally safe and competent care can look like. It also taught me that I cannot define what culturally safe care is. It is defined by my client and/or patient and depends on how safe and respected they feel. I also witnessed how crucial Indigenous-led healthcare is to health equity. There were days where people would come in to ask questions about the vaccine and would decide against getting it. However, perceptions were changed, and myths were debunked through social media campaigns and in-person interactions. Seeing Chiefs and Band Council members get vaccinated, having conversations with trusted health care providers from the nursing station, and having a transparent relationship with the Queen’s/ORNGE team made community members feel safe and informed about their healthcare. The people I met and the stories shared with me during this trip are memories I can never forget. Thank you again to the People of Wapekeka, Mishkeegogamang, and Fort Hope for a warm welcome.

Please note: I understand that there is a complex history of oppression and violence that has resulted in a distrust between the government and related healthcare services for many Indigenous communities that affects the provision of healthcare services today. This is real and requires ongoing trust-building.