2015-2016 Board of DirectorsEmma Palmantier – Chair, British ColumbiaDanita Wahpoosewyan – Member at LargeRaye St. Denis – Treasurer, AlbertaPriscilla Bilsborrow – ManitobaNorma Rabbitskin – SaskatchewanDonald Turner – OntarioCarrie Martin – Vice Chair, QuebecLorraine O’Leary – Labrador NewfoundlandChayenne Labrador-Gates – AtlanticBrenda Kolson – YukonIgah Sanguya – Secretary, NunavutSamantha Hand – YukonRenee Boucher – Member at Large

STAFF DIRECTORYKen Clement – Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Renée Masching – Director of Research and PolicyMerv Thomas – Director National Programs/CommunicationsMonique Fong – Community Readiness CoordinatorEd Bennett – Community Readiness SupervisorMarni Amirault – Community-based Research Manager (CBRM – East)Sherri Pooyak – Community-based Research Manager (CBRM – West)Jessica Danforth – National Youth and Leadership CoordinatorCarrielynn Lund – Research and PolicyPatrick Brownlee – Executive Research AssistantAmy Mawdsley – Administrative AssistantBarb Ferguson – Administrative Assistant

CONSULTANTSDoris Peltier – National Women’s Coordinator/APHA LiaisonTrevor Stratton – APHA Advocate/Consultant & IIWGHA ManagerDr. Rosalin Miles – EvaluatorGreg Pierre – Graphic Designer

IN THIS ISSUE

2. Message from the Chief Executive Officer

3. Regional Event Descriptions

4. Activity Guide

8. Regional Event Descriptions continued

11. Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week Rationale & Theme

Special Edition Winter 2016

OVERVIEWThe Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network is a national, not-for-profit organization:

• Established in 1997• Represents over 400 member organizations and

individuals• Governed by a national thirteen member Board of

Directors with a four member Executive• Provides a national forum for members to express

needs and concerns• Ensures access to HIV and AIDS-related services

through advocacy• Provides relevant, accurate and up-to-date informa-

tion about HIV and AIDS, HCV, STBBIs, TB, Mental Health and related co-morbidity issues

MISSION STATEMENTCAAN provides a National forum for Aboriginal Peoples to holistically address HIV and AIDS, HCV, STBBIs, TB, Mental Health and related co-morbidity issues; promotes a Social Determinants of Health framework through advo-cacy; and provides accurate and up to date resources on these issues in a culturally relevant manner for Aboriginal Peoples wherever they reside.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSCAAN acknowledges the Board of Directors for their ongoing leadership and guidance. We thank the staff for their dedication and for always going above the call of duty.

FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENTThe development of this newsletter was made possible through funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of PHAC.

Prepared by Merv Thomas, Director of National Programs and Communications

Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network ©6520 Salish DriveVancouver, BC, V6N 2C7Telephone: 1-604-266-7616Toll-Free: 1-888-285-2226Internet: www.caan.caEmail: info@caan.ca

ISBN: 978-1-927110-31-7

CANADIAN ABORIGINAL AIDS NETWORK

Fall 2015 ISSUE

Message from the Chief Executive Officer

Welcome to our Special Edition Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week Newsletter!! This newsletter has been developed to provide communities with resources that create action for Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week, happening this year from December 1-6, 2016.

Aboriginal peoples are living with HIV and AIDS and at a rate 3.6 times higher than other Ca-nadians – 8.9% of all people living with HIV and 12.5% of all new HIV infections in Canada are Aboriginal according to 2012 status report from the Public Health Agency of Canada. This reality is linked to various factors and determinants of health, including poverty, housing insecuri-ty, childhood experiences, access to health services, support networks and social environments, and experiences with trauma and violence. Racism, generational impacts of colonialism and the residential school system are also key influences in creating vulnerability to HIV in Aboriginal communities.

This Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week is an opportunity for national Aboriginal organizations, government partners and health care providers, and community members they serve, to dialogue, network, make new connections, and build on their understandings of the key influences driving HIV infection rates among Aboriginal people and wise practices for responding to these. Community-based responses in all communities are one way we can begin to address the circum-stances that underlie HIV infection rates.

Each person in a community has a part to play in creating change; everyone can take action. Everyone is important – we all have something to contribute – we can all be leaders in responding to HIV and AIDS for all our relations. We can be bridge-builders. We can create inclusive communities. We can support people ‘where they are at’ and work from a place of non-judgment. We can constructively respond to acts of intolerance and discrimination. We can create safe spaces to talk about our community strengths and needs, and how to work within these realities. What can you do to change how Aboriginal people live with HIV and AIDS?

It’s time for you to do your part for all Aboriginal families living with HIV and AIDS. The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Net-work asks you to make a difference – to understand: Getting to Zero. Zero new Infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AID related deaths… and challenge yourself and your community about what YOU can do to get to ZERO during Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2015.

In solidarity,Ken ClementChief Executive OfficerCanadian Aboriginal AIDS Network

Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2016December 1-6, 2016: Regional Event Descriptions

Thurs, December 1, 2016 Ottawa, ON

Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2016 Launch Event

On December 1st, on World AIDS Day, the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) will launch the 2016 Ab-original AIDS Awareness Week (AAAW) with Pauktuutit Inuit Women’s Association of Canada, the Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD), and Canadian Global Health All-Parliamentary Caucus on HIV, TB & Malaria.

The first of 11 events across Canada, this event opens AAAW 2016, with the theme of Hands Up for HIV Pre-vention, addressing issues of Access and Stigma. AAAW brings awareness to aspects of HIV prevention and how they relate to Aboriginal people and key populations.

Including representatives of First Nations, Inuit, Métis, this event brings together Aboriginal people living with HIV and AIDS, government, communities, and leaders to reduce stigma around HIV and address the realities of this issue in Aboriginal communities throughout Canada.

Co-hosted by: Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network; Pauktuutit Inuit Women’s Association of Canada, and Inter-agency Coalition on AIDS and Development; Canadian Global Health All-Parliamentary Caucus on HIV, TB & Malaria.Location: Sheraton Hotel, Penthouse, 150 Albert St. Ottawa, ONTime: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm ESTContact: Ken Clement, kenc@caan.ca :: 604-266-7616 Merv Thomas, mervt@caan.ca :: 604-266-7616 RSVP by Nov 25, here http://aboriginalaidsawareness.com/aaaw-rsvp/

DECEMBER 2 TWO-SPIRITS & TRANSGENDER DAY

Fri, December 2, 2016 Toronto, ON

Sharing Our Wisdom Transgender Event

This event brings together the Transgender Community and Transgender Allies to network, strategize and learn what is being done in AIDS Service Organizations, such as, CAAN National Transgender Project. It will include presentations around prevention and treatment of Indigenous Peoples living HIV, a panel discussion on Indige-nous Transgender Peoples Living with HIV and stigma they face, and front line and community worker special guests via Skype for a question and answer session. Guests will be invited to use a special photo booth to cre-ate “Hands up: #HIVPrevention messages. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Co-hosted by: OHTN, PASAN, and 2-Sprirted People of the First NationLocation: The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church Street, Toronto, ONTime: 2:00 - 6:00 pm ESTContact: Arthur Dave Miller dave@caan.ca :: 902-433-0900

2.

Fri, December 2, 2016 Winnipeg, MB

Indigenous Gender-based Responses to HIV & Hep C

The late afternoon will start with a panel discussion on gender as an important consideration in HIV from an In-digenous perspective. Followed by a feast and an evening of healing ceremony’s including sweat, cedar baths and others led by Two Spirits and other community members.

Co-hosted by: Two Spirit Manitoba, Ka Ni Kanichihk: Sisters of Fire, and CAANLocation: Thunderbird House - 715 Main Street, Winnipeg, MBTime: 2:30 - 8:00 pm CST 2:30 pm Pipe Ceremony 3:00 pm Opening Remarks 3:30 pm Speakers Panel 4:30 pm Feast 5:00 pm Healing Activities: Dance, Sweat Lodge, ArtContact: Laverne Gervais lgervais@kanikanichihk.ca :: 204-232-1935

Fri, December 2, 2016 Saskatoon, SK

No One Left Behind - LGBTQ Memorial Round Dance

All are welcome to join our second Annual Memorial Round Dance. This year’s dance theme is no one left behind to honour our two-spirit relatives and all those who have been lost to HIV.

Co-hosted by: Saskatoon Indian Metis Friendship Centre, OUT Saskatoon, and CAANLocation: Saskatoon Indian & Metis Friendship Centre - 168 Wall Street, Saskatoon, SKTime: 5:30pm CST Pipe & Feast, 7:00pm CST to midnight Round Dance and GiveawayContact: Jen Peterson & Patti Tait familyviolence1@shaw.ca :: 306-244-0174

Fri, December 2, 2016 Vancouver, BC

Transgender Day Vancouver Luncheon

A small luncheon for Indigenous HIV or HepC positive Transwoman. Transgender people are most in need and least served; they are often marginalized from service providers. This is an opportunity to connect, socialize with peers in a safe environment and enjoy a meal together, as family often does.

Co-hosted by: Positive Women’s Network Society Location: Positive Women’s Network Society 614-1033 Davie St. Vancouver, BCTime: 12:00pm PST Contact: Sandy Leo Laframboise & Donna Tennant dancingtoeaglespirit@gmail.com :: 778 319 3965

3.

Regional Event Descriptions CONTINUED on Page 8

Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week Activity GuideAboriginal AIDS Awareness Week, which is scheduled every year from December 1 to December 5 beginning on World AIDS Day – December 1, is an opportunity to:

• Increase awareness and knowledge about HIV and AIDS.• Establish ongoing prevention and education programs in Aboriginal communities.• Address common attitudes that may interfere with prevention, care and treatment activities.• Reduce HIV and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination.

This activity guide is intended as a resource to help you and your community think about what HIV and AIDS awareness activities you might plan for Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week as well as throughout the year.

We cannot pretend HIV doesn’t exist in our communities – it does!Every First Nation, Inuit and Métis community is affected by HIV and AIDS. Knowledge and awareness about HIV and AIDS is one way to address and respond to the fear, shame and stigma that contributes to each new infection. It is important to raise awareness about this preventable disease and for all Aboriginal people to have the knowledge to make a difference and be leaders in their own communities.

Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week Activities – Just a BeginningEvery year, between December 1 and December 5, you have an opportunity to begin a dialogue about HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) among people in your community – especially among the young men and women who may be at greatest risk of infection.

It is an ideal time to begin to raise knowledge about HIV – what the virus is, how it is spread, the importance of knowing how to prevent infection and regular testing, and how the virus is best treated. Or perhaps it is an ideal time for your community to remember your friends, family and community members who may have lost their brave struggle against HIV and died as a result of (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) or AIDS-related illnesses.

Or perhaps it is an ideal time to sit with community Elders and leaders to begin the necessary dialogue about what is needed to educate your community’s young people or how best to reduce HIV and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, or how to best support and care for Aboriginal People Living with HIV and AIDS (APHA) from your community.

But remember, the activities which you may have started during Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week need to continue throughout the year whenever there is an opportunity to raise awareness and knowledge about HIV and AIDS.

4.

Getting StartedThis is your opportunity to make a difference in how your community responds to HIV and AIDS risks and realities locally. Be proud that you have chosen to use Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week to take the first step. Here is a simple checklist to help make sure your activity, personal project or planned program gets off to a good start.

1. Do you know what you would like to achieve with your project?

I want to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.

I want to share knowledge about preventing infection.

I want to remember friends who have died.

I want to encourage our community to do more.

I want to reduce stigma and discrimination in my community.

2. Who are you hoping will participate in your project or attend your activity?

Everyone in the community.

Our community’s young women and men.

Elders and community leaders.

My students.

Media.

3. Have you told them? Invited them?

Informed them personally.

Emailed them.

Put up posters or notices.

Made it part of their school course.

Mailed them a notice or invitation.

4. Do you have the information, resources and support you need?

Yes, I have done some research and have spoken with our community’s health representative.

Yes, I have checked with a member from CAAN in our community and they will help me.

Yes, I downloaded more of the posters and fact sheets from CAAN’s web site and have them ready for my students.

Yes, I have invited a health expert to speak to our community leaders and Elders about doing more.

Yes, I am working with the local AIDS Service Organization and the Friendship centre.

5.

Opportunities to Inform, to Discuss and to Take ActionTraditional Activities – Aboriginal communities often have regular or traditional gatherings where you may be able to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS by distributing information, setting up a display or information table, or preparing a presentation or discussion.

These may include:• Community Feasts or Dances• Women’s Gatherings• Community Meetings

HIV and AIDS-Specific ActivitiesYou may choose to organize a specific activity where the main focus is on raising awareness about HIV and AIDS. You may want to get help from one of CAAN’s member organization close to your community or a local AIDS service organization or community’s health office to help in sharing more technical information, like what HIV does to cells in the body, and different treatment options, for example. It is important to remember that it is better to answer a question with ‘I don’t know’ than to provide inaccurate information – you can document ‘unanswered’ questions and publish the answers to these questions on a website, in a community paper, or in a information poster as one way of addressing ‘knowledge gaps’.

Activities may include:• An open house at a local AIDS service

organization;• An HIV Resource and Information table or display

at local events;• An HIV and AIDS Awareness fair and/or panel

discussion;• Community toll booth – where you can

collect change to host other AIDS Awareness activities, and hand out HIV and AIDS awareness information; and/or

• A Candle Light Vigil or Memorial Service for people who have passed on.

Youth and School Activities As a concerned teacher or student, you may wish to raise awareness about HIV, discuss important HIV prevention practices or address HIV/ AIDS stigma and discrimination in art, drama, video arts, or writing classes.

These may include:• A Youth-Only Dialogue about Safer Sex

and HIV-Prevention

• An HIV/AIDS Stigma and Discrimination Art, Video or Writing Assignment.

• Organizing guest speakers for the school during Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week.

Media ActivitiesYou would like to share how your com- munity reduced HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination, or invite the community to an event or simply do you part to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS through your local media or social media including Facebook or Twitter.

These may include:• Write a public service announcement,

a community HIV/AIDS Success Story or a personal story for your community newsletter, or for the local newspaper or radio station

• Invite Aboriginal or local media to attend your Activity

6.

DECEMBER 3 YOUTH & METIS DAY

Sat, December 3, 2016 Haines Junction, YT

Dän ts’än nännji (People Helping People)

This event is open to the community and will focus on youth. We will have guest speakers and entertainment followed by a community feast. A highlight of the event will be a “breaking the stigma mural,” in which youth will write stigmas on tiles, break them, and put them on a huge mural. The mural will travel to the schools across Yukon.

Co-hosted by: Champagne and Aishihik First Nation, Blood Ties Four Directions Centre, CAANLocation: Dákų Cultural Centre, 280 Alaska Highway, Kilometer 1016, Haines Junction, YukonTime: 12:00 pm – 7:00pm PSTContact: Luke Campbell lcampbell@cafn.ca :: 867-336-3283 Marion Primozic :: 867-456-6888, Samantha Hand :: 867-332-8266

Sat, December 3, 2016 Edmonton, AB

Let’s Start a Conversation

This event focuses on Metis Peoples with HIV and AIDs and affected family members sharing their experi-ences. Facilitated Focus Group will share information and begin discussions of needs and gaps in support. A light lunch will be provided. Special guests will include Minister of Health, Alberta Government, and the President of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Audrey Poitras.

Co-hosted by: Aboriginal Women’s Justice, Metis Nation of Alberta, Shining Mountains Living Community Services, and CAANLocation: Metis Nation of Alberta, 11738 Kingsway Ave, Edmonton ABTime: 1:00 pm – 3:30pm MSTContact: Raye St. Denys rayestdenys@gmail.com :: 403-346-9794

DECEMBER 4 WOMEN’S DAY

Sun, December 4, 2016 Prince Albert, SK

Let’s start a conversation with Indigenous Women

Come Join Us!!

Staff from the Prince Albert Métis Women’s Association, The Gate, and the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Net-work will be hosting an event during the Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week. This event will include a light lunch, Sharing circle, and HIV and AIDS Information. Our event is open and free for all women who wish to learn more about HIV and AIDS and our organizations.

Co-hosted by: Prince Albert Metis Women’s Association Inc. HIV/AIDS Health Promotion Program, and CAANLocation: To be confirmed - Prince Albert, SKTime: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM CSTContact: Erin Settee pamwa.hp@hotmail.com :: 306-763-5356

8.

10.

DECEMBER 5 INUIT & TESTING DAY

Mon, December 5, 2016 Ottawa, ON

Inuit HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

We invite you to a fun, in-formal, engaging afternoon where we can reduce HIV and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. This event brings together our urban Inuit community to gather and share awareness and knowledge about HIV and AIDS by addressing common attitudes that may interfere with prevention, care and treatment activities. We will have country food for lunch and there will be games and prizes!

Co-hosted by: Pauktuutit, CAANLocation: St. Margret’s Church 206 Montreal Rd. Vanier Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST Contact: Chanessa Ryan, cryan@pauktuutit.ca :: 613-238-3977 ex.238

Mon, December 5, 2016 Montreal, QC

Aboriginal AIDS Awareness HIV Testing and Training Day This event will focus on HIV prevalence and access to testing and will include an on-site testing clinic. We will have a special presentation on the new HIV prevalence research project among Aboriginal people. Special Guests will include Social worker, SIDEP team, CLSC-Métro, Outreach nurse, CLSC-Métro, and Dr Cécile Tremblay, researcher on prevalence study.

Co-hosted by: CATIE and Native Women’s Shelter of MontrealLocation: Native Friendship Centre of Montreal 2001 boul. St. Laurent (corner of Ontario), Montréal, QuebecTime: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM ESTContact: Carrie Martin carrie.nwsm@gmail.com:: 514-933-4688 Liam Michaud lmichaud@catie.ca :: 514-266-9224

DECEMBER 6 INTERNATIONAL DAY

Tues, December 6, 2016 Vancouver, BC

Event details to be confirmed.

11.

Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week Rationale & ThemeThe Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) has developed a theme for Aboriginal AIDS Aware-ness Week (AAAW) in Canada for December 1-6, 2016 which continues to parallel the international theme for World AIDS Day 2011-2016, Getting to Zero.

We will promote Getting to Zero within the context of two important Indigenous developments: 1) the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), and 2) the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing conceptualized by Mi’kmaw Elder Albert Marshall.

Theme:

Getting to Zero. Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS related deaths. Creating community readiness and culturally safe approaches to testing, treatment, and sup-port is the roadmap for the journey to zero.

Rationale:

Aboriginal people continue to respond with community-based initiatives to HIV and AIDS, but are still experiencing epidemic proportions 3.6 times higher than other Canadians.

Aboriginal people must strive further toward: Getting to Zero. Zero new HIV infections. Zero dis-crimination. Zero AIDS related deaths. We must all work together to get to zero because every-body has a part to play in prevention, education, and access to care, testing, treatment, and support. Aboriginal communities developing culturally safe strategies and actions to combat HIV and AIDS will foster our journey to zero.

Zero New Infections

This is a call for Aboriginal communities to reduce the number of new HIV infections by promoting prevention, education, and testing. HIV is in our communities and our people continue to get HIV and AIDS - so we must stand up and take action! We need to get tested for HIV. By knowing our status we can continue to prevent HIV transmission by getting treatment early and eliminate trans-mission.

Zero Discrimination

Our communities must fight against discrimination and keep the circle strong by including those living with HIV and AIDS. We must address the alarming numbers of Aboriginal Youth and Women who are disproportionately impacted by the HIV and AIDS epidemic. There must be zero tolerance for gender-based violence. We must have services that do not racially discriminate against Aborigi-nal people, which is often a great barrier to getting tested, treatment, and support.

Zero AIDS Related Deaths

AIDS is no longer a death sentence and a person may live a long healthy life if they receive proper care, treatment, and support. We must push towards zero barriers to treatment for all. We must in-sist that increased culturally relevant support and services are provided to Aboriginal people, so that they can feel safe to get tested, and increase options and access to antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV; including access to traditional medicines and ceremonies.

Secondary Rationale:

Getting Tested

One of the main strategies to Getting to Zero is for Aboriginal people to get tested so that they may know their status. The core Rationale addresses a variety of realities and factors that make Indige-nous peoples’ testing prohibitive. For example:

• Access in rural and remote communities• Language and translation services• Racism in healthcare services• Lack of culturally safe healthcare settings and services• Stigma, shame, fear, and discrimination

The reality of if whether or not testing happens needs to be understood in the context and realities of what’s going on in people’s lives and communities; and the health inequities for Indigenous people.

Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk) www.integrativescience.ca/Principles/TwoEyedSeeing

Two-Eyed Seeing is the Guiding Principle brought into the Integrative Science co-learning journey by Mi’kmaw Elder Albert Marshall in Fall 2004.

In order to reach a broader audience with our communications it is important that we incorporate the TRC’s recommendations and the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing: Aboriginal people and communi-ties working together with non-Aboriginal people who are committed to the health and well-being of Aboriginal Peoples.

There is a continued need to provide a collaborative, culturally appropriate response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic faced by Indigenous communities in Canada through the principle of Two-Eyed See-ing where both Indigenous and Western knowledge is shared and developed into culturally appropri-ate resources.

The 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf

AAAW brings awareness to Aboriginal people, communities, and leadership living with HIV and AIDS as well as those at risk, and we believe the TRC’s Calls to Action and the guiding principle of Two-Eyed Seeing will further support Aboriginal people living with HIV by creating a holistic response to the negative health outcomes they are facing. Two TRC call to actions key to this rationale are:

• “We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.”

• We implore all levels of government to provide reports and data related to “progress on

closing the gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in a number of health indicators such as: infant mortality, maternal health, suicide, mental health, addictions, life expectancy, birth rates, infant and child health issues, chronic diseases, illness and injury inci-dence, and the availability of appropriate health services.”

Need Additional HelpIn addition to this activity guide, you may request additional support, resources or advice from the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) or from one of CAAN’s member organizations or individuals located across the country.

To contact CAAN or to reach one of its members,Phone: 1.604.266.7616Internet: www.caan.caemail: info@caan.ca

Order posters from CAAN for your community.