MMF finally able to offer COVID-19 vaccine rollout for Métis Citizens 12 and up

Press Release

May 20, 2021

Winnipeg, MB, in the Homeland of the Métis Nation – After many months of advocacy and pressure on the provincial government, the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) is finally able to offer a vaccination rollout plan for Métis Citizens.

“In spite of the overt racism demonstrated by the province, going against the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations for Indigenous vaccine rollout, we’re happy that the province – without seeing the light – has felt the heat, thanks to the pressure we were able to apply, and the advocacy and partnership of the federal government,” said David Chartrand, President of the MMF. “It’s unfortunate that we had to go through so many hoops to get the province to be consistent with the other jurisdictions within the Métis Nation homeland.”

The clinic will initially focus on Citizens in Winnipeg and the surrounding areas and be administered out of the MEDOCare Pharmacy at the MMF home office at 150 Henry Ave. As vaccine supply allows – which is dependent on supplies delivered through the province – we will continue to scale our vaccination operations to other regions to meet the demand.

Minister of Health Frances Chartrand and Minister of Finance & Human Resources Anita Campbell have continued to mobilize the Central COVID-19 Response Team to ensure the safety of vaccine administration at the MEDOCare Pharmacy, including protecting the staff at home office.

“MMF security and custodial staff are taking all the necessary precautions to keep the pharmacy sanitized in between vaccinations,” said Minister Chartrand. “They will be cleaning, fogging, and thoroughly sanitizing the areas adjacent to the Pharmacy after each Citizen, including the waiting and resting areas, entrance, hallways, and washrooms.”

“For Citizens requiring assistance to attend their scheduled appointments, transportation arrangements can be made,” said Minister Campbell. “Citizens able to make their own arrangements to attend the appointment will be advised of the free parking for ease of access to the building. They will be asked to wait in their vehicle until the scheduled appointment time to maximize the benefits of our safety precautions. We’ll also conduct wellness checks for our Citizens after their vaccinations have been administered. Both Minister Chartrand and I are tremendously proud of our team for making these arrangements so quickly and so thoughtfully.”

To register for your vaccine, please call 1-833-390-1041 or email megan.szajevski@mmf.mb.ca or rachelleneault@mmf.mb.ca. To avoid duplicate records, please choose either email or phone, not both. You can register all those who meet the vaccine eligibility requirements from your household, which includes all those aged 12 and up. More information will be coming, so stay tuned to all MMF social media channels for further updates.

“No matter who is offering the vaccine, I encourage every Citizen to get one,” said President Chartrand. “These variants and this third wave are becoming more serious every day. Of course, if you’re worried about the risks of the vaccine, you should talk to your doctor, but it’s important that everyone who can get vaccinated does so. It’s one big way we can help keep each other safe.”

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Believe in Yourself; Believe in Métis.

The Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) is the democratic self-governing political representative for the Métis Nation’s Manitoba Métis Community. The Manitoba Métis Community is Canada’s Partner in Confederation and the Founder of the Province of Manitoba.

For more information, media may contact:
Kat Patenaude
Media Relations Advisor
Manitoba Metis Federation
204-801-7710
Kat.Patenaude@mmf.mb.ca

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