Julie Dabrusin

June 1, 2021 Community Email Update

June 1, 2021

Dear Neighbour,

Across our country, flags are being flown at half-mast in honour of the 215 children whose remains were discovered at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. This is a tragedy that has left us all deeply shaken. I am outraged that our country removed these children, and so many others, from their communities and that the discovery of their bodies provides further evidence of the brutality of the residential school system.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett announced today that we’ll be immediately disbursing $27 million in previously allocated funding as needed to assist Indigenous communities in the preservation of grave sites and locating of potentially more unmarked residential school burial grounds. The funding will support communities who wish to conduct research, access professional archaeological investigation services to identify and delineate burial sites, and return remains home if desired. To respect the differing wishes of impacted communities, the federal government will not unilaterally excavate sites and next steps regarding other sites will be dictated by those affected communities.

For those members of our community who are residential school survivors or their loved ones, please know that a National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling 24-Hour National Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419. Please also reach out to me if you would like to discuss anything further.

I have also heard from many non-Indigenous members of our community who have questions about residential schools and what steps the government is taking toward reconciliation. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission report and calls to action are important educational resources. They are also informing our work on next steps.

I am guided by what Chief Rosanne Casimir said during her press conference about the discovery of the mass grave site. She is asking for time and space to be able to properly follow through. “We are the responsible caretakers here. These children are our responsibility to continue nurturing and protecting…and it is up to us to give them that respect and honour.”

In Parliament I’ve worked to help shape the Indigenous Languages legislation (associated with Calls to Action 10, 14, 15 and 16) which supports the reclamation, revitalization, preservation and strengthening of Indigenous Languages. Tomorrow, a bill amending our Citizenship Oath in accordance with the Calls to Action 93 and 94 will be sent to the Senate. And I expect the bill to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People will return to the House for a final vote shortly.

On Friday, working with opposition members, I moved to finish debate on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation bill (Bill C-5) which had been tabled last September, fast-tracking its passage and sending it on to the Senate. The House unanimously consented. This legislation will create a statutory holiday to commemorate the victims and survivors of Indigenous residential schools on September 30th – the original Orange Shirt Day and responds to Call to Action 80.

Yesterday marked the beginning of Indigenous History Month in Canada which is an opportunity to highlight some Indigenous resources:

The Indigenous Atlas of Canada covers many topics including the history of residential schools and the road to reconciliation.
The podcast Warrior Life is by Dr. Pamela D. Palmater is a Mi’kmaw citizen and Professor and Chair of Indigenous Governance at Ryerson University. The most recent episode talks about Bill C-15 - legislation to create a National Action Plan to ensure our laws are compliant with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
APTN News (Aboriginal Peoples News Network) reports Indigenous news
NationTalk has Aboriginal news, employment, and events
I have found this article helpful on different ways non-Indigenous people can help survivors and those affected by residential schools.

There is a great deal of work ahead of us on the path to meaningful reconciliation and to address systemic inequities for First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples. I’d like for this work to be led by Indigenous elders and communities with support from the federal government. We cannot undo the past – but we can take responsibility and aim to repair its tragic legacy.

In this newsletter you will find information about:

Vaccine Facebook Live next Wednesday (June 9th) at 8pm with Vaccine Hunters and COVID-19 Resources Canada
Vaccine pop-ups this week
Family Edition Community Q&A on the COVID-19 Vaccine hosted by ETHP

Information about second doses

Facebook Live: Vaccines

Join me next Wednesday (June 9th) at 8pm with Vaccine Hunters and COVID-19 Resources Canada. We will have a few medical experts on hand to answer your questions. Join me at https://www.facebook.com/JulieDabrusinTorontoDanforth to take part in the conversation and ask any of your questions about vaccines. Please note that you do not need a Facebook account to view the event.

Please like my Facebook Page to get a notification when I go live. You can also email me any questions in advance.

COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment

We have another big week for vaccinations in our community with seven pop-ups taking place! If you haven’t gotten your first dose yet, please look into one of the following clinics taking place over the next few days run by the amazing team at East Toronto Health Partners.

Thursday, June 3rd

Frankland Community School (816 Logan Ave)
3pm onwards
Priority given to people who work in the area and families of Frankland school

Bring health card and proof of address

Friday, June 4th

Riverdale Collegiate Institute (1094 Gerrard St E)
2pm onwards
Priority given to individuals 12+ who are students or immediate family members of students at Riverdale Collegiate Institute, Queen Alexandra Middle School, Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, SEED Alternative School, Holy Name Catholic School, Morse Street Junior Public School, Leslieville Junior Public School, Dundas Junior Public School, Blake Street Junior Public School, Pape Avenue Junior Public School, St. Joseph Catholic School and Bruce Public School

Bring health card and proof of address

Saturday, June 5th

East York Collegiate Institute (650 Cosburn Ave)
8am onwards
Priority given to 12+ students and immediate family members at East York Collegiate Institute, Westwood Middle School, R.H. McGregor Elementary School, Earl Beatty Junior and Senior Public School, Diefenbaker Elementary School, École élémentaire La MosaÏque, Cosburn Middle School, Holy Cross Catholic School and Canadian Martyrs Catholic School.

Bring health card and ID or document proving school attendance (e.g., school email, report card, school ID, school letter)

Saturday, June 5th

Madinah Majid (1015 Danforth Ave, parking lot in the back)
10am onwards
Priority access for congregants of Madinah Masjid.

Saturday, June 5th

Monarch Park Collegiate Institute (1 Hanson St)
8am onwards
Priority given to 12+ students and immediate family members at Monarch Park Collegiate Institute, St. Patrick Catholic School, St. Brigid Catholic School, Roden Public School, Bowmore Road Junior and Senior Public School, Duke of Connaught Junior and Senior Public School, École élémentaire catholique George-Étienne-Cartier and Holy Cross Catholic School
Bring health card and proof of address or pay stub

Sunday, June 6th

Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute (800 Greenwood Ave, gym)
8am onwards
Priority given to 12+ students and immediate family members for individuals 12+ who are students or immediate family members of students at Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute, Greenwood Secondary School, École élémentaire La MosaÏque, Earl Grey Senior Public School and Wilkinson Public School
Bring health card and ID or document proving school attendance (e.g., school email, report card, school ID, school letter)

Sunday, June 6th

Eastdale Collegiate Institute (701 Gerrard St E)
10am onwards
Priority given to 12+ students or immediate family members of students at Eastdale Collegiate Institute, Queen Alexandra Middle School and Oasis Alternative Secondary School, Bruce Public School, Earl Grey Senior Public School, Heydon Park Secondary School, Essex Junior and Senior Public School and Westwood Middle School
Bring health card and ID or document proving school attendance (e.g., school email, report card, school ID, school letter)

Sunday, June 6th

One Academy (858 Eastern Ave)
8am onwards
Individuals 12+ who live/work/attend school in any "M" postal code. Every person who gets their vaccine will receive a FREE 7-day trial of virtual workout classes. Plus, enter to win raffle prizes!
Bring health card and ID or document proving school attendance (e.g., school email, report card, school ID, school letter)

I have included the posters below. Please follow my Facebook and Twitter as new pop-ups are advertised. Or watch for updates at the TEHN site.

Information about second doses: if you received from East Toronto Health Partners

Individuals who received their first dose at a vaccine clinic or pop-up operated by ETHP and are not eligible for a shortened dose interval at this time will be contacted after approximately 12 weeks with next steps for their second dose.

Individuals who received their first dose at a vaccine clinic or pop-up operated by ETHP and are eligible for a shortened dose interval, including adults 80+, will be contacted to be offered a second dose appointment at a shortened interval. Second dose appointments will be booked based on supply. More information about second doses is available here.

Information about second doses: AstraZeneca

Currently, the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is being offered at an accelerated pace with a 10-week interval for individuals who received their first dose between March 10 to March 19, 2021. In addition, beginning the week of May 31st, all individuals who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine from March 10 onwards will be eligible to receive a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at a 12-week interval, with appointment dates based on the timing of their first dose.

You can read more about the Province’s plan for second doses here and book a second dose here.

Information about second doses: Mixing and matching

Just yesterday, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) changed their guidelines for second doses. It is recommended that a first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine can be followed by either Moderna or Pfizer. And for those who have had a first dose of Moderna or Pfizer, NACI recommends they can now take either of the two shots as a second dose — because they both use a similar mRNA technology.

This guidance is based on emerging research from the UK and Spain that found mixing and matching AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines was both safe and effective at preventing COVID-19.

Please keep well and email or call (416.405.8914) with any questions.

Yours,

Julie

Mon:	9:30am - 4:30pm
Tue:	9:30am - 4:30pm
Wed:	9:30am - 4:30pm
Thu:	9:30am - 4:30pm
Fri:	9:30am - 4:30pm
Sat:	Closed
Sun:	Closed