Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network CEO says HIV/AIDS stigma impacts Chiefs

December 1, 2015

Stigma and discrimination are still two strong factors that keep Aboriginal people from being tested and seeking help when it comes to HIV and AIDS.

And today, World AIDS Day, where the national
campaign for Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week was launched in Calgary, that stigma was evident.

“The invitation was sent to all of the Chiefs … and I think we have two Chiefs from throughout the province,” said Ken Clement, CEO for the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network. “It’s a commentary that, I think, needs to be said. That’s part of the stigma and discrimination as experienced by our leadership. Stigma and not understanding what HIV is about. (It) is important for us to share with our leadership to be able to change their minds. Our leadership needs to understand that HIV is preventable.”

Clement says that while band leadership struggles, there is support from the top.

Today, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde lauded CAAN for its work with organizations and people to support community-based initiatives.

“We celebrate the work being done every day to create culturally safe approaches to testing, treatment and support, and to eliminate stigma and discrimination about HIV and AIDS in our communities. We unite with people worldwide in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and we support those living with HIV by replacing ignorance with understanding, and discrimination with care,” said Bellegarde in a statement.

Lack of Chiefs in attendance at the day-long event in Calgary is not specific to First Nations in Alberta, says Clement.

HIV and AIDS are part of a much larger picture of the health determinants that effect Aboriginal people across the country. That picture includes residential schools, colonialism, the child welfare system, poor housing, poor education, lack of jobs, and alcohol and drug dependency.

“All of these issues impact our people and they become more vulnerable to HIV,” said Clement.

Non-Aboriginal leadership also has a role to play. Clement is hopeful that the new Trudeau government, with Jane Philpott as health minister and founder of “Give a Day to World AIDS,” will come to the plate in support of the work undertaken in the Aboriginal community as well as with funding.

“It’s a combination. It needs to have a partnership approach to dealing with HIV in Canada,” he said.

Clement has been involved in the HIV movement for 25 years and can’t say enough about the two-spirited people, who initially led the charge to bring HIV/AIDS out in the open in the Aboriginal communities. He believes Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week is an important opportunity for those who are HIV-positive to lead and share their stories.

But the numbers of HIV-infected Aboriginal people continue to increase. According to Public Health Agency of
Canada figures, it is estimated that 9.1 per cent of Aboriginal people were living with HIV/AIDS in Canada in 2014, which represents an increase of 12.1 per cent from the 2011 estimate.

“There’s a stigma that needs to be broken down,” he said. “A week of highlighting our work across Canada is an important step in terms of making sure the message continues. (HIV/AIDS organizations are) doing it every day.”