Special session:

First Nation Model on HIV/AIDS and the Immune System

Donna Everette

Chief Jacob Berens Mino-Ayaawin Center

Berens River, Manitoba, Canada

Co-presenter:

Norman McKay –Co-presenter

Chief Jacob Berens Mino-Ayaawin Center

Berens River, Manitoba, Canada

Session intro: The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to grow and threaten Aboriginal Peoples throughout the world.  The last decade had seen a steady rise in the Aboriginal AIDS cases in Canada.  Some studies have shown that as many as 25% of 16, 000 cases in Canada in this country may be Aboriginal.  Infection rates in Aboriginal women and two-spirited (gay) people are rising rapidly.  The economic and social power imbalance between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal in the country plagues our communities with a host of social problems.  HIV is rapidly becoming one of them.  Studies in mainstream society also show that instances of HIV infection occur more frequently where poverty, violence, drug use and alcoholism are present.  The high degree of movement of Aboriginal people between inner cities and rural on-reserve areas may bring the risk of HIV infection to even the most remote First Nation Communities such as Berens River First Nation, Manitoba. Canada. 

Abstract : The proposed First Nation Model will present the immune system and its components by unfolding two stories simultaneously:  The first story provides the medical version and the second story correlates it to a First Nation version.  In the First Nation version, the model consists of story telling from the traditional Plains Ojiway perspective but it is adaptable to any First Nation or Indigenous people teachings.  The model is a teaching tool and it can be used in providing HIV and AIDS prevention and education as well as an understanding for care and support.  Lessons to be learned:  The participants will gain an understanding of the role of the immune system specifically when infected with HIV.  The participants will learn about the Plains Ojibway traditional stories and how they can incorporate their own Indigenous teachings.  It is recommended that any Indigenous group can adapt this teaching tool and to apply their own traditional teachings to HIV/AIDS programs.

About Donna Everette

Donna is a First Nation woman from Berens River First Nation and she is the Health Director of the Chief Jacob Berens Mino-Ayaawin Center.  Donna has been working in the health field for approximately twenty years and her main focus is working with the Aboriginal people.  She does have a complete understanding of urban (city) life and First Nation community life and it challenges.  Donna has been providing the HIV/AIDS education since the 1980’s and she continues to do with her staff at Chief Jacob Berens Mino-Ayaawin Center.

About Norman McKay

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