Claudette Cardinal - Co-Chair

Hello Everyone: My name is Claudette Cardinal (CeeCee)

I would like to say thank you to the Red Road HIV/AIDS Network for electing me as a new Council member. I really believe and support Red Road's mandate and objectives. I look forward to getting to know members and associates of Red Road.

I am the National Representative for APHA's for the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN). I would like to say, "It is an honour for me to be the voice for all aboriginals."

I am of the Cree Nation, Kehewin, Alberta but have resided in Victoria since 1996. I am a graduate of CompuCollege School of Business (Administrative Assistant, Accounting with Computers, Business Computer Applications) and am a distant parent of four beautiful children ages 11-20.

I was diagnosed with HIV+ in 1995 and became a member of AIDS Vancouver Island in 1998. I am also a member of BCPWA in Vancouver. I found the courage to deal with this "new life sentence" through the services offered by AVI. Through my worst and best times, I found the agency very welcoming and compassionate. I was overwhelmed that there were still people caring and patient enough to deal with this illness.

Some of the things I have participated and/or volunteered:

Peer Support Training: Victoria Person with AIDS Society (VPWAS) 2002
BC Gathering: Vancouver 2002
"Taking It To The Streets": AVI Peer Education 2003
Skills Building Workshop: PAN Conference Prince George 2003
Alternative Business Forum: AVI two-day workshop 2003
Positive Women's Wellness Retreat (PWN) 2003
Red-Road HIV/AIDS Network Quarterly Skills Building 2003
AVI Core Training: 2002 (Speaker, HIV/AIDS and First Nations)
Yo' Fest: Educator, volunteer AVI 2003
"Walking With Our Ancestors: Victoria Native Friendship Centre 2003
Speaker's Bureau: AVI 2003
Client Advisory Board: AVI 2003
Victoria Persons with AIDS Society: Board member 2003
Monthly meeting in Duncan: 2hrs - Elders/Business
2hrs - Peer Support

I love learning new skills and meeting new people and look forward to the opportunity for personal growth with all members and staff at Red Road.

Thank you,

CeeCee (Claudette Cardinal)