This week, the negotiating efforts of Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s chief, council, and health director came to fruition, as we vaccinated hundreds of our community members. I am proud to be one of our community members to have received my vaccination this week.
While I have the utmost respect for every single person who walked through the doors of our community centre, determined to protect themselves and their loved ones against the virus, I am in complete awe of others who did not arrive with the same level of certainty but overcame various personal fears and got vaccinated. Our people exemplified such selflessness to put the wellness of others ahead of their own hesitations.
Getting this vaccination is a personal choice and Tsleil-Waututh respects that choice, but we must also encourage people to think of the possible consequences of that choice. COVID-19 poses a great risk to our world and an even greater risk to Tsleil-Waututh people. Our strongest pillars – our family ties and interconnectedness – also face the greatest threat. For the foreseeable future, this is our only protection.
The sentiment of the day was powerful and the trajectory toward returning to our Tsleil-Waututh way of life is palpable. My heart is happy to cautiously await community immunity.
Vanessa Gonzalez is a councillor for Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
