Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week - Dec 1-5, 2006
Everyday in Canada, one more Aboriginal person will find out that they have been infected with HIV.
This is a critical time to become more aware of this pandemic that is affecting all Aboriginal communities across Canada. Lots of information and resources exist online about how everyone CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE and help to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS. For example, more information about this disease can be obtained by visiting
http://www.caan.ca/aaaw/ and The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network Inc. (CAAN) at http://www.caan.ca/english/home.htm
Nishnawbe Aski Nations AIDS awareness initiative at http://aids.nan.on.ca/
Click here for the UNESCO - Communication, information and HIV/AIDS web site that contains lots of valuable links ...
HIV/AIDS is a social issue. It involves every human being. Communication and information can help to HIV/AIDS understanding and prevention.
Click here to read the Winnipeg Free Press full story - Project fights AIDS epidemic in aboriginal communities
Thu Nov 30 2006 - By Mia Rabson
OVER six years ago, Jocelyn Paul lay alone in a hospital bed in New Brunswick and was told she had full-blown AIDS.
The St. Mary's First Nation grandmother didn't have any idea what it meant or when or how she contracted it. Her only thought was that she had just days left to live.
"I could feel my spirit dying," Paul said Wednesday, speaking in Winnipeg at the launch of a new project designed to train aboriginal community groups in Manitoba to better address the growing epidemic of AIDS and HIV in the province. ...
Press Release ....
Inuit Leaders Join Together to Recognize Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week
November 28, 2006
Ottawa – In recognition of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week, December 1 st – 5 th, Martha Greig, President of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Member of Parliament for Nunavut, have joined together to voice the need to address the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS that are affecting Inuit today.
Given that northern communities have the highest birth and sexually transmitted infection rates in Canada, there is a growing concern that the rate of HIV infections amongst Inuit may be higher than the current available statistics show. Globally, the fastest increasing rate of HIV infections is in women 15-25 years of age.
“This is an alarming statistic,” said Mary Simon. “The education and health systems should work together to ensure young people are informed in an appropriate way about this disease.”
According to the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network “every day in Canada at least one Aboriginal person will find out they have been infected with HIV.” Many Inuit do not get tested for HIV, either because of fear of discrimination, denial or a lack of knowledge of the disease. Stigmatization can prevent people from getting tested, which can result in the increased risk and spread of HIV/AIDS in communities.
According to Nancy Karetak-Lindell, “because of the discrimination that does exist, Inuit who test HIVpositive often feel unwelcome in their own communities and may not seek the medical help required to cope with living with the disease.”
“It is essential to take charge of all aspects of sexual health, and raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections as it is our future generations that will be most affected,” stated Martha Greig.
She added, “Currently there are no AIDS service organizations in the North. People who are HIVpositive
must travel south to receive care and treatment. It is essential that community members work towards the establishment of treatment programs and services to ensure that all Inuit faced with the challenge of living with HIV are given the right of access to care in the communities in which they live.”
“The lack of data hinders opportunities to design cultural and social health promotion strategies that will address discrimination and behaviour patterns with respect to HIV/AIDS,” said Katherine Minich, Chairperson of the Ajunnginiq (Inuit) Centre’s Governing Committee. “Vulnerable Inuit, those currently infected and at risk, need public health efforts to empower and control the circumstances of their well being in the health care system and in the North.”
Inuit organizations, including Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada and the Ajunnginiq (Inuit) Centre at the National Aboriginal Health Organization, are working to provide information and raise awareness of health issues such as HIV/AIDS among health care providers and Inuit communities.
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