STONEY NAKODA – As the highest active COVID-19 hotspot per capita in Alberta, Stoney Nakoda First Nation leadership is pushing for its community to get the vaccination by using incentives.
As of Tuesday (June 22), there were 99 active cases on Stoney Nakoda, which has three distinct bands – Chiniki, Bearspaw and Wesley – in a community of about 5,000.
“Obviously what’s happening right now is our cases are spiking and I can’t help but think months ago or even a couple weeks ago if more of our members chose to get the vaccine our numbers wouldn’t be as high as it is today and that’s just facts. That's reality,” said Jordie Mark, a councillor for the Chiniki band.
Mark was on hand for a vaccination clinic at Stoney Health Services last Thursday (June 17), which had door prizes, a traditional blessing ceremony, and special appearances from Elders and Olympic medallists Beckie Scott and Clara Hughes.
Although the special clinic had normal numbers for those receiving vaccinations, Mark is hopeful its publicity, and other incentives from leadership, will encourage more conversation and personal research into vaccinations.
“First and foremost, the information and communication with our Stoney health team has been superb,” said Mark, who’s fully vaccinated. “I encourage members to educate themselves, read about it, don’t just go off what one person says or another family member says, read about it for yourself and go that direction.”
Mark’s son, Jonah, was one of the first lined up to receive a jab Thursday – his second dose.
For the 13-year-old athlete, being fully vaccinated means a huge step to returning to normal such as travelling and playing competitive basketball again.
“If they [young people on Stoney Nakoda] want to do something in public I suggest they do get it to just do more things,” Jonah said.
Like the budding basketball star, Hughes, a six-time Olympics medallist in speed skating and cycling, received her second dose of vaccination Thursday at Stoney Health Services.
After the jab, Hughes said she was stoked it was on Stoney Nakoda, but also emotional.
“Stoney Health [Services] is such a fantastic organization and from what I’ve seen, through the pandemic, through all the restrictions, through vaccination roll out, Indigenous health services have truly led the way and this is not the exception with Stoney Health today so to be able to be a part of this is it’s so special,” she said.
About 52 per cent of the eligible Stoney Nakoda population received at least one dose, according to Stoney Health Services. The province is at 70.8 per cent for those eligible for at least one dose as of June 21.
Aaron Khan, executive director and CEO of Stoney Health Services, said there is a lot of medical communication going out to the community from Elders and leadership to get more of the community vaccinated.
“The eligible clients we have, we’re trying but there are so many reasons mixed about the vaccine and we’re trying to educate and try to support the needs of the community and provide the factual information for of our people,” said Khan.
“I think vaccination is the ultimate solution.”
With neighbouring communities such as Banff, Lake Louise and Canmore sitting at zero cases, Stoney Nakoda’s recent spike has prompted events and lotteries for eligible band members.
The Bearspaw band is hosting a lottery of two $2,500 grand prizes, plus additional awards, that will be drawn on July 30 at noon at the Bearspaw Youth Centre.
Any Stoney Nakoda band member is eligible for the lottery on the condition they provide proof they’ve been vaccinated by the draw.
For more information, visit the Bearspaw First Nation Facebook page.
