National Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2014: Leaders gather in Regina to announce Indigenous HIV and AIDS Strategy
Regina, SK (November 4, 2014) - The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) and All
Nations Hope Network (ANHN) will co-host the Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week Launch Event
on December 1, 2014 in Regina, SK. National Aboriginal leadership will be present to support
the launch and the release of the Saskatchewan Indigenous Strategy on HIV and AIDS. The
Public Health Agency of Canada, through its Enhancement Program in Saskatchewan, will
launch the projects selected to implement the strategy. In the following days, there will be
workshops across the country (Montreal, Ottawa, New Credit First Nations, Toronto, Winnipeg,
and Vancouver) to continue discussions on Aboriginal HIV and AIDS issues in Canada Dec 2 -
6, 2014.
Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2014 reaches out to include Aboriginal People Living HIV and
AIDS (APHAs), national Aboriginal organizations, government partners, health care providers,
and community leaders to focus on how Aboriginal people can continue to work together to
reach the UNAIDS 2010-2015 goal of: Getting to Zero. Zero new HIV infections. Zero
discrimination. Zero AIDS related deaths.
While Worlds AIDS Day reminds us that progress has been made in finding solutions and
moving towards zero, the improvements amongst Aboriginal communities lag far behind the rest
of the population. First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people continue to respond to HIV and AIDS
with community-based initiatives, but are still experiencing epidemic proportions 3.5 times
higher than other Canadians. The HIV and AIDS rates among Saskatchewan Aboriginal people
is among the highest in the world and, until this year, there has been no Indigenous strategy to
address it.
"Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week will celebrate our successes so far and explore how we can
get to zero by introducing culturally specific approaches that will address the legacy of
residential schools, poverty and racism," stated CEO of CAAN, Ken Clement. "It is critical that
Aboriginal people feel comfortable discussing the risks and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
communities take a non-judgmental approach to testing and cultural care, treatment and
support."
The collaboration created between cultural, social, health, and political
organizations during Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week reaches across all barriers to create a
unified approach to solutions for Aboriginal HIV and AIDS in Canada. We invite you to join us:
Where: Launch Event
Ramada Plaza Hotel, 1818 Victoria Street, Regina SK
When: December 1, 2014, 10:00 am CDT
RSVP: By November 21, 2013 at www.bit.ly/aaaw2014launchrsvp
About CAAN www.caan.ca
The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) is a not-for-profit coalition of individuals and
organizations which provides leadership, support and advocacy for Aboriginal individuals living
with and affected by HIV and AIDS, regardless of where they reside. Their philosophy is that all
Aboriginal Peoples deserve the right to protect themselves against infectious disease and
thrives on providing the Aboriginal community with accurate and current information about HIV
including risks of contracting the virus, issues of care and treatment, and support for families
and those living with the disease.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Nov 30 – Darmouth NS: Holiday Inn Harbourview
Family Fun
Dec 1 - Regina, SK: Ramada Plaza Hotel
Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2012 Launch Event
Dec 2 – New Credit, ON Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nations
Youth Event
Dec 3 – Ottawa, ON: Parliament Hill
Parliamentary Breakfast
Winnipeg, MB Nine Circles
Two Spirits - Honouring our Caregivers
Dec 4 – Montreal, QC Women’s Event
Dec 5 – Vancouver, BC - Vancouver Native Health
Men’s Health and Wellness
Dec 6 – Toronto, ON Toronto Birth Centre
Think Global – Act Local: Indigenous people and HIV/AIDS
For more information on these events visit: www.aboriginalaidsawareness.com
Media Contact:
Nora Weber
778-823-0040
noraw@terracomgroup.net
"Reproduced with permission - "Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN)"
Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN)
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