HIV video wins award

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A video about HIV made by young people for young people has been recognized with an Aegis award. Point of Death, a docu-drama dealing with HIV and intravenous drug use, won the award in the training/education category. Aegis awards are handed out annually to recognize excellence in the video production industry.

The video was produced in Fort Smith by 15 local Aboriginal youth . The drama portion of the video was shot in Fort Smith, and the documentary interviews in Yellowknife.

The project was spearheaded by Gary Adkins, who produced the video, and Sarah Daitch, a Fort Smith high school student who co-produced. The two had previously collaborated on a video about suicide.

The cast for the video included nine students from P.W. Kaeser High School in Fort Smith who worked to develop their characters and the script. Four other students were responsible for doing research for the project. The crew was made up of former participants in the local Fresh Start program for youth at risk.

The project was funded by Health Canada through the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Community Action Programs.

The video had its premiere in April 1999 at a community feast. It has since been presented at the First Aboriginal AIDS Conference held in Calgary in April, and on the Aboriginal People's Television Network.

Adkins has built a teaching package to use with the video, complete with a CD soundtrack featuring anti-drug messages and messages on HIV, AIDS and hepatitis, as well as a 90-minute presentation. Copies have been distributed throughout the North through the Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Services, and AIDS Yellowknife. The video has also been used by peer educators in correctional institutes in the Northwest Territories.