2021 World AIDS Day and Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week

 

It’s that time of year again, where we build awareness, honour people with lived experience, and challenge the stigma that is part of life for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day and Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week events and resources can connect communities and support vital work.

 

World AIDS Day: December 1

This year’s theme is “End inequalities. End AIDS. End pandemics.”

Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week: December 1-7

CAAN is launching a national campaign for Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week (IAAW), including its new name (this week was formerly called Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week). See the event calendar.

 

 

World AIDS Day Events 

Although COVID-19 concerns mean we may not be gathering as normal, there are events and campaigns to keep our HIV advocacy going. To add yours to this page, send to [email protected].

Click links to learn more about each offering. 

November 29, 2021

Online gathering: Untold Stories – It’s Time to Address Gaps in Rural BIPOC Community Healthcare!

Stamina not Stigma is a new community health project focused on understanding and optimizing the role of rural peer navigation health models in a pandemic. Untold stories of stigma can profoundly affect our health. HIV disproportionately affects BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) communities. This Stamina not Stigma event centers BIPOC voices. How can our stories of resistance and resilience help fill in the gaps? This event is one of a series. 7 PM Pacific time. 

 

November 30, 2021

Online Gathering: Beyond Blame2021: Challenging Criminalization for HIV Justice Worldwide

Beyond Blame is the flagship meeting of HIV Justice Network. It’s an event for activists, human rights defenders, criminal legal system and public health system actors, healthcare professionals, researchers, and anyone else working to end HIV criminalization. It returns this year for a special eve-of-World AIDS Day edition. 9 AM Pacific time.

 

December 1, 2021

Indigenous AIDS Awareness Day Sunrise Pipe Ceremony

CAAN will open Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week in Ottawa with a sunrise pipe ceremony at 4:23 AM Pacific time. Follow this link to see the otherIAAW events on this day across the country, which include a Red RIbbon Flag Raising Ceremony (Ottawa); an AIDS Quilt Ceremony and Reception (Ottawa); and Standing Strong with Voices of Women in Vancouver. Details are forthcoming on the Vancouver event.

 

Webinar: World AIDS Day: COVID, Inequality, and the Future of HV

The CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network is excited to offer a diverse set of speakers on World AIDS Day to discuss recent advances in HIV vaccines, what we have learned about COVID-19 in people living with HIV, and the pervasive impact of social inequalities on our collective goals. This event will be emceed by Shari Margolese, the Community Co-Lead of the CTN’s Cross-Core Community Collaborative (C4) teams. 10 AM Pacific time.

 

Online gathering: The Power of Peers

This event hosted by Stamina Not Stigma focuses on women’s healthcare. Everyone is welcome to this event which features the voices of women living with chronic illness who face stigma and other hurdles. Noon Pacific time.

 

Prince George: Rock the Ribbon with Positive Living North

The Positive Living North Prince George community invites you to #RockTheRibbon on December 1. From 11 AM to 3 PM, there will be lunch, drumming, and a vigil to remember those who have been lost to HIV/AIDS. There will also be dried blood spot testing for anyone who wants to be tested for HIV, hepatitis C, and/or syphilis.

 

Vancouver: Voices of Women Gathering and Candlelight Vigil Reimagined

Many have experienced a heightened sense of loss, isolation and frustration over the past two years. The COVID pandemic, the overdose crisis, ongoing inaction on Truth and Reconciliation, increased racism and blatant displays of hate are just some contributing factors. People need an opportunity to come together in peace and reflection, and to honour those we’ve lost during our struggles. Candlelight Vigil Reimagined is a new take on an historic theme, and its scope extends beyond HIV/AIDS. We share our event space and spirit with Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network’s VOW standing committee. We are grateful for the opportunity to hear their stories and to take part in their ceremony. VOW has graciously opened their gathering to all—starting at 2 PM, before the Vigil begins at 3 PM.  2-4 PM Pacific time. 

 

Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week Calendar of Events

The following information is via CAAN. For full details on Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week events, please see the calendar on CAAN site For registration information on IAAW events, please email Jorden Ironstat at CAAN: [email protected]

Now through December 7, 2021

HIV: Healing Inner Voices is playing on Cool.World

Don’t miss this opportunity to watch the award-winning short film, a peer-led project to reduce stigma, build community and increase cultural safety. All ticket sales support fundraising for a community tour once COVID is finally over. You can also book a virtual workshop led by the Peers featured in the 28-minute documentary.

December 1, 2021

Indigenous AIDS Awareness Day Sunrise Pipe Ceremony

CAAN will open Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week in Ottawa with a sunrise pipe ceremony at 4:23 AM Pacific time. Follow this link to see the otherIAAW events on this day across the country, which include a Red RIbbon Flag Raising Ceremony (Ottawa); an AIDS Quilt Ceremony and Reception (Ottawa); and Standing Strong with Voices of Women in Vancouver. Details are forthcoming on the Vancouver event.

 

Vancouver: Candlelight Vigil

Many have experienced a heightened sense of loss, isolation and frustration over the past two years. The COVID pandemic, the overdose crisis, ongoing inaction on Truth and Reconciliation, increased racism and blatant displays of hate are just some contributing factors. People need an opportunity to come together in peace and reflection, and to honour those we’ve lost during our struggles. Candlelight Vigil Reimagined is a new take on an historic theme, and its scope extends beyond HIV/AIDS. We share our event space and spirit with Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network’s VOW standing committee. We are grateful for the opportunity to hear their stories and to take part in their ceremony. VOW has graciously opened their gathering to all—starting at 2 PM, before the Vigil begins at 3 PM. 2-4 PM Pacific time. 

 

December 2, 2021

We Want You to Want Us (Indigenous Research on HIV/AIDS)

Knowledge sharing from past year and lessons learned form Weaving Our Wisdoms project. CAAN will release Volume 12 of the Journal of Indigenous Health Research. 10 AM Pacific time.

 

December 3, 2021

A Place at the Home Fire (Traditional Roles and 9 Genders Research)

CAAN hosts a roundtable and discussion on traidtional roles men and women carry, and CAAN’s upcoming 9 Genders research project. 10 AM Pacific.

 

December 4, 2021

Indigiqueer Gathering

CAAN collaborates with CBRC, and Two Spirits in Motion to discuss Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer prospections on STBBIS, harm reduction, and the importance of creating space for 2SLGBTQ+ folks in Indigenous communities. 10 AM Pacific time.

 

December 5, 2021

Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Doing is Harm Reduction

CAAN colaborates with Dr. Peter Centre to discuss harm reduction through an Indigenous perspective. 10 AM Pacific time. 

 

December 6, 2021

Think Global- Act Local: Indigenous Response to Intersecting Pandemics

CAAN collaborates with OAHAS, IIWGA; 2-Spirited People of First Nations for a night of cultural sharing, interactive dialogue, and personal testimony.  10 AM Pacific time. 

 

December 7, 2021

Communities, Alliances and Networks

In the spirit of CAAN’s vision of putting an emphasis on Kinship, CAAN – Communities, Alliances and Networks – will wrap up Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week with words from our fellow Indigenous service providers across Turtle Island.    10 AM Pacific time. 

 

Resources

PAN will be supporting the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) Voices for World AIDS Day Digital Awareness Campaign, as we did last year.

CATIE’s World AIDS Day page offers a history of HIV/AIDS in Canada, plus resources.

 

Image: Solen Feyissa on Unsplash