Campaign aims to share Indigenous youth's journeys to COVID-19 vaccination
CBC
A campaign encouraging Indigenous youth to share their COVID-19 vaccination journey launched last week, with a chance to receive a pair of Nike Air Jordans.
The campaign is a partnership of the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) and the National Indigenous Youth Working Group on Vaccine Uptake.
Edmonton resident Chayce Taylor, 13, from Berens River First Nation in Manitoba, submitted a video about his experience getting vaccinated. It was shared Friday on the My Vaxx Journey social pages.
Taylor said he was inspired to get vaccinated to help save lives, and hopes his video helps others do the same.
"If you could, you should get it," Taylor said.
"It could help protect you and save your life and protect the people around you."
Taylor said the pandemic has been lonely for him.
"I wasn't able to see my family in Manitoba for over a year, so, in my opinion, it was one of the worst years of my life," he said.
He doesn't know yet when he'll receive a pair of shoes, but said he'll be really excited when he does.
John Paillé, NAFC project co-ordinator, said the campaign hopes to give youth a chance to share their voice.
"Giving youth the opportunity to speak on issues that directly affect them, having them speak on their experiences getting vaccinated and the choices they're making to get vaccinated is an important project we were willing to support," Paillé said.
Funding for the campaign came from Indigenous Services Canada's COVID-19 Indigenous Community Support Fund.
As long as the videos adhere to guidelines, each eligible applicant will be able to receive a pair of shoes until they run out or until the campaign's end date on March 31.
The campaign aims to increase vaccine uptake in eligible youths aged 12-29.
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