AMC Calls for Immediate First Nations-Led Response to Manitoba HIV Emergency

Press Release

Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg, Manitoba (May 7, 2026) — The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) says Manitoba’s declaration of a public health emergency in response to rising HIV cases must result in immediate First Nations-led action, not another temporary government response without long-term change.

Public health officials reported that Manitoba recorded 328 new HIV cases in 2025, compared to 90 cases in 2019. Manitoba continues to experience some of the highest HIV rates in Canada, with the highest rates reported in the Northern Health and Prairie Mountain Health regions. Manitoba HIV Program reporting also shows that First Nations and Indigenous peoples are particularly vulnerable and at significant risk.

“This crisis did not happen overnight,” said Grand Chief Kyra Wilson. “First Nations have warned governments for years that addictions, homelessness, poverty, mental health gaps, racism in health care, and lack of access to culturally safe services were creating the conditions for a public health disaster. First Nations are now carrying the heaviest burden of this emergency.”

AMC emphasized that First Nations citizens are not inherently vulnerable to HIV; they are made vulnerable by inequitable systems. Many First Nations face limited access to primary care, testing, prevention, transportation, harm reduction, addictions treatment, stable housing, mental wellness supports, and culturally safe care. These barriers are intensified for women, youth, people who use substances, people experiencing homelessness, people living in northern and remote communities, and First Nations citizens living away from their home Nations.

“First Nations are at heightened risk when health systems are inaccessible, delayed, or unsafe,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “No one should be turned away from care because they use substances, live in a remote community, do not have transportation, lack a health card, are unhoused, or have experienced racism in the health system,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “An emergency response that does not remove these barriers immediately is not an emergency response at all.”

AMC said Manitoba and Canada must respect existing First Nations mandates supporting First Nations control over health services, emergency response, and long-term health system transformation. AMC Chiefs-in-Assembly have already mandated work toward the development of health transformation systems that ensure First Nations can design, govern, and deliver health care that meet the needs of First Nations citizens and Nations.

AMC is calling for:

• Immediate emergency funding for First Nations-led HIV testing, prevention, treatment, and outreach;

• Expanded access to PrEP, harm reduction, addictions treatment, and mental wellness supports;

• Mobile and community-based services for northern, rural, remote, and urban First Nations citizens;

• Investments in housing, transportation, and wraparound supports; and

• A First Nations-led HIV Emergency Response Table with decision-making authority and clear accountability from Manitoba and Canada.

AMC acknowledged the frontline health-care workers, First Nations health directors and health representatives, outreach workers, peer workers, Knowledge Keepers, Elders, harm reduction teams, and community organizations who have carried this response with too few resources for too long.

“Declaring an emergency is only meaningful if it changes outcomes for First Nations people,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “The response must be urgent, adequately funded, culturally safe, and led in partnership with First Nations governments and communities.”

For more information, please contact:

Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email:  media@manitobachiefs.com

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