Perspectives on vaccination among unvaccinated members of a Canadian indigenous population

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the potential impact on Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) communities in Canada was a major concern. Evidence from previous pandemics, particularly H1N1, suggested that more cases and poorer outcomes among Indigenous Peoples was likely and that there might be barriers to Indigenous Peoples' vaccination. In this short report we consider the non-vaccination decisions of a sample of unvaccinated Métis Nation of Ontario citizens. A small sample of six Métis individuals who had chosen not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was recruited using referral and interviewed online. Participants expressed low confidence in COVID-19 vaccines, and cited safety concerns as the primary reason. Low confidence was in government and media was a major concern, and respondents referred to historical treatment of Indigenous peoples as reasons for suspicion. We discuss this continuing mistrust and its implications for future pandemic response.