National Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2012: Getting to Zero Brings Leaders Together in Winnipeg
Winnipeg, MB (October 31, 2012) – The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) will be hosting the Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week Launch Event on December 1, 2012 in Winnipeg, MB where the Minister of Health of Manitoba, Honourable Theresa Oswald will be in attendance. The launch of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week will be followed by workshops across the country (Halifax, Regina, Toronto, Iqaluit, and Victoria) to continue discussions on Aboriginal HIV and AIDS issues in Canada Dec 2-6, 2012.
Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2012 will connect national Aboriginal organizations, government partners, health care providers, and community leaders to focus on how Aboriginal people can work together to reach the goal of: Getting to Zero. Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS related deaths.
“We must all work together to reduce the number of new HIV infections by promoting prevention, education, and testing. Aboriginal communities developing strategies and actions to combat HIV and AIDS will foster our journey to zero,” stated Ken Clement, CEO of CAAN.
Aboriginal people (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) continue to respond to HIV and AIDS with community based initiatives, but are still experiencing epidemic proportions 3.6 times higher than other Canadians. An estimated 4,300 to 6,100 Aboriginal persons were living with HIV including AIDS; 8.0% of all prevalent HIV infections and comprised about 12.5% of all new HIV infections in Canada in 2008. This year AAAW will focus on how to reduce these numbers to zero:
§ The 2012 theme represents goals to eliminate transmissions from mother to child, which means zero babies are born HIV positive in Canada; zero tolerance of discrimination towards those living with HIV and AIDS, and zero barriers to treatment for all.
A convergence of culture, social, health, and political events during Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week is creating a climate for important positive developments on the HIV/AIDS agenda. CAAN invites you to join us on our journey to zero:
Where: Delta Winnipeg, 350 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg, MB
When: December 1, 2012, 10:00 am CST
RSVP: By November 20, 2012
– 30 –
About CAAN. www.caan.ca
The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) is a not-for-profit
coalition of individuals and organizations which provides leadership, support and advocacy for Aboriginal individuals living with and affected by HIV and AIDS, regardless of where
they reside. Their philosophy is that all Aboriginal Peoples deserve the right to protect themselves against infectious disease and thrives on providing the Aboriginal community with accurate and current information about HIV including risks of contracting the virus, issues of care and treatment, and support for families and those living with the disease.
For Media Enquiries and interviews, please contact:
Erin O’Callaghan ~ Mediatonic PR
erin@mediatonicpr.com 778.737.6877
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Dec 1 – Winnipeg, MB Delta Winnipeg
Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2012 Launch Event
Dec 2 – Halifax, NS Mi’kmaq Native Friendship Centre
Getting to ZERO in the Maritimes: Luncheon and Merchandise Bingo Fundraiser
Dec 3 – Iqaluit, NU Various Iqaluit locations (request details)
Inuit Youth Rock! Protect Your Body, Strengthen Your Community
Dec 4 – Regina, SK All Nations Hope AIDS Network
Aboriginal Brothers and Sisters in the Justice System
Dec 5 – Toronto, ON Ramada Plaza Downtown Toronto
Think Global – Act Local: Indigenous people and HIV and AIDS
Dec 5/6 – Victoria, BC Hotel Grand Pacific Victoria
Celebrating Aboriginal Women
For more information on these events visit: www.aboriginalaidsawareness.
