Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Paul Prosper is calling on Nova Scotia to implement a Mi’kmaw-specific vaccination strategy and raising concerns about the lack of Indigenous representation on the 11-member COVID-19 vaccine expert panel.

“The province needs to appreciate what is at stake if our elders get sick. Our old people hold knowledge, language and traditions that we are struggling to protect and maintain,” said Regional Chief Prosper in a press statement.

“They are at very high risk from COVID-19 and as a result, our very future as a people is at risk.”

Pictou Landing First Nation Chief Andrea Paul has been asking the province to implement a Mi’kmaw-specific vaccination strategy since the COVID-19 provincial state of emergency was declared back in March and says Mi’kmaw leaders don’t feel part of the COVID-19 conversation.