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| Squamish welcoming
pole: Ambleside Park, West Vancouver |
The BC Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Task Force was established in
1996 to bring together on and off reserve organizations and
projects dealing with HIV/AIDS. The Task Force worked to increase
the network of those living with HIV/AIDS, the professionals
working in the field and those who have an interest in addressing
HIV/AIDS in their community. One of the primary achievements
of the Task Force has been the development and implementation
of the Red Road: Pathways to Wholeness, An Aboriginal Strategy
for HIV and AIDS in BC.
The Strategy, which was officially launched on February 1,
1999, is a pathway to increase the quality of life of all
Aboriginal people. This is accomplished by respecting and
integrating the traditional and cultural values and beliefs
of individuals, families and communities. The Strategy supports
the use of those traditions in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. The Strategy contains
50 recommendations to address Aboriginal HIV/AIDS in BC (click
here to view Pathways to Wholeness).
An integral component of the implementation of the Strategy
is the creation of the Red Road HIV/AIDS Network (RRHAN) which
incorporated on May 7, 1999. The purpose of the Network is
to:
- reduce or prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS
- improve the health and wellness of Aboriginal people
living with HIV/AIDS
- increase awareness about HIV/AIDS and establish a network
which supports the development and delivery of culturally
appropriate, innovative, coordinated, accessible, inclusive
and accountable HIV/AIDS programs and services
RRHAN is one of three provincially-based Aboriginal organizations
(Healing
Our Spirit BC Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Society and Chee
Mamuk). Our past work has included, but not limited to:
- Development of resource directories and guidebooks
- Hosted and co-hosted numerous workshops and conferences
to discuss current issues relating to HIV/AIDS
- Developed Canada's first full-colored magazine highlighting
the HIV/AIDS epidemic amongst the Aboriginal population
- Utilized mapping and GIS technology to visually represent
services available for APHA's in BC
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