Projects Funded in Response to the 2003 Request For Proposals from the Non-Reserve First Nations, Inuit and Métis Communities HIV/AIDS Project Fund under the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS

Introduction

The Non-Reserve First Nations, Inuit and Métis Communities HIV/AIDS Project Fund (the Non-Reserve Fund) is an important component of the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS (CSHA). The Non-Reserve Fund supports Aboriginal community action in response to the Canadian HIV/AIDS epidemic by funding projects undertaken by Aboriginal voluntary, non-profit, non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations that have identified the need to address HIV/AIDS issues in their communities. Under the CSHA, $1.2 million has been allocated to the Non-Reserve Fund per fiscal year. This project funding is administered and monitored through the HIV/AIDS Policy, Coordination and Programs Division of Health Canada.

Projects that receive funding under the Non-Reserve Fund are to focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Increase community willingness to respond to HIV/AIDS
• Target prevention to at-risk populations
• Use a harm-reduction approach to prevent the spread of HIV
• Help First Nations, Inuit and Métis people living with HIV/AIDS improve
  and/or sustain their health
• Improve access to existing HIV/AIDS services and programs, and
  related health services
• Develop partnerships, networks and coalitions
• Reduce or eliminate discrimination related to HIV/AIDS
• Increase the skills and capabilities of Aboriginal AIDS service organizations
• Provide training at the community level in the areas of evaluation,
  program development, social marketing and fund-raising.

A request for proposals from the Non-Reserve Fund was issued in June 2003. A subsequent targeted request for proposals was re-issued to Saskatchewan and Manitoba in November 2003.

All project proposals submitted to these RFPs underwent a competitive, peer-review process to determine what proposals would receive funding. This document presents the project summaries from the successful applicants. All projects are to end on or before March 31, 2006.

Funded Projects

British Columbia Region

Organization: Lillooet Friendship Centre Society
Project Title: Open Arms: Communities Accepting HIV/AIDS

Through community partnerships, attendance at regional and local health planning meetings, the provision of annual health fairs, World AIDS Day and HIV Awareness Week events, and the provision of HIV/AIDS training sessions, the Lillooet Friendship Centre Society will increase community HIV/AIDS partnership activities and increase the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among health and social service providers, Aboriginal youth and community members in the Lillooet area.

Organization: Okanagan Aboriginal AIDS Society
Project Title: HIV & Harm Reduction: Traditional Learning For The Urban Aboriginal Community

Through the use of training and facilitated inter-generational training workshops, the Okanagan Aboriginal AIDS Society (OAAS) will increase the knowledge of participating Elders of the Okanagan region in relation to HIV/AIDS and increase their capacity to facilitate harm reduction focussed inter-generational training workshops to increase the knowledge of Aboriginal youth in the Okanagan region on issues of HIV/AIDS and harm reduction.

Organization: Positive Living North: No kheyoh t'sih'en t'sehena Society
Project Title: The Fire Pit: Sharing Responsibility for HIV

The goal of the project is to increase awareness and knowledge around HIV/AIDS within the community and develop the capacity of health and social service organizations to respond to the HIV epidemic. Through the creation and provision of an initial needs assessment, a training curriculum will be developed that will be utilized to facilitate one or more training sessions to front-line staff in at least five Prince George and area health and social service organizations per year. In addition, the project will provide coordination of Prince George organizations around HIV/AIDS events such as World AIDS Day, AIDS Awareness Week and AIDS Walk Canada.

Organization: Wachiay Friendship Centre
Project Title: Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention Program

Through the provision of HIV/AIDS and HCV awareness workshops for the general population and for Aboriginal People Living With HIV/AIDS and/or HCV (APHAs) and conducting an Aboriginal Youth Health Fair, Wachiay Friendship Centre will increase the knowledge of the general Aboriginal population and of APHAs in the Comox Valley on the transmission of HIV/AIDS and HCV and on how to care for yourself if living with the diseases.

Organization: Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society
Project Title: Building The Capacity of Aboriginal People in Vancouver's Downtown East Side Most at Risk of Catching and/or Spreading HIV

Through the the provision of HIV/AIDS prevention, peer support and capacity building workshops, the Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society (WAHRS) will increase the HIV/HCV transmission knowledge amongst Aboriginal people who use illicit drugs in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES). WAHRS will also increase condom usage, increase the peer-support capacity, and increase knowledge about access to treatment, housing, income supplements and food for Aboriginal people living with HIV/AIDS in the Vancouver DTES. As well, WAHRS will provide policy input to policy makers and service providers locally, provincially and nationally on issues of HIV, HCV, harm reduction and Aboriginal people.

Alberta Region

Organization: Sik Ooh Kotoki Friendship Society
Project Title: Niitakkaamotsiiyio'pi

After an initial needs assessment, HIV/AIDS training will be provided and HIV/AIDS resources created for health and social service agencies with Aboriginal clientele in the Lethbridge area. The objectives of this project are to increase the knowledge of the factors involved in HIV/AIDS (and HepC and other STIs, where appropriate) transmission among the off-reserve Aboriginal population in the Lethbridge area and to increase the HIV/AIDS partnership, collaboration, and resource sharing activities among health and social service providers to the Aboriginal population in the Lethbridge Area.

Organization: NECHI Training, Research and Health Promotions Institute
Project Title: Two Spirits on Training Development Project

Through the use of a needs assessment and the creation and provision of a Two Spirit and HIV/AIDS training curriculum, NECHI will increase the knowledge of Edmonton addictions, HIV/AIDS and wellness workers in relation to working with Two Spirit people at risk of HIV/AIDS in Edmonton, and improve the delivery of community service/support programs to the Two Spirit population in Edmonton.

Organization: Kimamow Atoskanow Foundation (KAF)
Project Title: Adapting with HIV

Through the "Adapting with HIV" project, Aboriginal people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS (APHA) in Alberta will increase their knowledge of care and support options through HIV/AIDS health and wellness workshops. Also, the project will increase the knowledge and capacity of health and social service providers in at least six Alberta communities to appropriately respond to APHA needs.

Organization: Métis Nation of Alberta Association (MNAA)
Project Title: Increase Your Knowledge, Reduce Your Risk: An HIV/AIDS Education & Awareness Workshop for the Métis Nation of Alberta Provincial Council

Through the "Increase Your Knowledge, Reduce Your risk: An HIV/AIDS Education & Awareness workshop for the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA)" project, the MNA will provide culturally sensitive HIV/AIDS training sessions to MNA Provincial Council members to increase their knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its impact on Métis communities and to identify how they can address HIV/AIDS in their own communities.

Prairies Region

Organization: Building A Nation Family Healing Centre
Project Title: Recovering the Two Spirit Traditions

Through the development and implementation of training presentations on HIV/AIDS and Two Spirit Culture to health and social service providers in Saskatoon and through the creation of community resources, Building A Nation Family Healing Centre will increase the knowledge of the risk factors involved in HIV infection and of the resources available among the Two Spirit population in Saskatoon and increase the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and Two Spirit culture among health and social service providers and family members in Saskatoon.

Organization: Brandon Friendship Centre
Project Title: Prison Outreach Project

Through training, conference presentations and the creation of resource materials, the Brandon Friendship Centre will increase the knowledge of the factors involved in HIV/AIDS transmission among 50% of the institution population in each of the nine provincial correctional institutions and increase the knowledge of other community-based Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organizations of programmatic approaches in working with incarcerated Aboriginal populations on issues of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention.

Organization: Battlefords Family Health Centre Inc.
Project Title: Mobilizing Community Supports for the Prevention of HIV/AIDS

Through an initial needs assessment, the creation of training resources based on the identified needs and the provision of training sessions in various youth venues and to service providers in North Battleford, the Battlefords Family Health Centre (BFHC) will increase the HIV/AIDS knowledge of at-risk Aboriginal youth in North Battleford and their health, social service and education providers. In addition, the project will increase the community awareness and use of the BFHC Sexual Health Team as a resource for sexual health services in North Battleford.

Organization: Northern AIDS Initiative Inc.
Project Title: APATH - Aboriginal People, HIV/AIDS and Traditional Healing

Through the creation and training of a Project Advisory Committee of traditional healers, elders, APHAs and other community stakeholders, and through regional discussions on HIV/AIDS and traditional healing, the Northern AIDS Initiative will establish, publish and disseminate culturally appropriate protocols and guidelines for traditional healing in relation to HIV/AIDS. These will be used to increase the knowledge and use of traditional healing practices in relation to HIV/AIDS among APHAs and traditional healers in Manitoba.

Organization: Regina Friendship Centre Corporation
Project Title: Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Program Saskatchewan

Through the creation and provision of train-the-trainer workshops and through on-going support and cooperation with the Aboriginal two-spirit group, The Vision Keepers, the Regina Friendship Centre will increase the knowledge of HIV/AIDS (and HCV and other STIs, where appropriate) among the 17 member Saskatchewan friendship centres' staff, at-risk youth and two-spirit people in 17 urban centres in Saskatchewan and will increase the capacity of the Saskatchewan two-spirit community to deal with HIV/AIDS.

Organization: Ile-a-la Crosse Friendship Centre Inc.
Project Title: Ile-a-la Crosse HIV/AIDS Project

Through an HIV/AIDS needs assessment of Ile-a-la Crosse Friendship Centre (ICFC) programs and clientele, the acquisition of HIV/AIDS resources, training sessions for Aboriginal youth, ICFC staff, clientele the general Aboriginal community, the ICFC will increase the integration and use of HIV/AIDS information and resources in other ICFC program areas, increase the knowledge of the factors involved in HIV/AIDS transmission among ICFC clientele across all program areas and increase the knowledge of the factors involved in HIV/AIDS transmission among 400 youth and members of the general Aboriginal public in the Ile-a-la Crosse area.

Ontario Region

Organization: 2 Spirited People of the 1st Nations
Project Title: HIV/AIDS Prevention Initiative for Two Spirit Men

Through the collection of information on social marketing campaigns directed at Two Spirit men in Ontario, the use of focus groups to test the efficacy of existing social marketing campaigns and through the final creation and distribution of a report outlining successful social marketing strategies for Two Spirit men, the 2 Spirited People of the First Nations will increase the knowledge of effective HIV/AIDS prevention social marketing campaigns directed at Two Spirit Men in Ontario among health and social service providers for Two Spirit Men in Canada.

Organization: Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health Inc.
Project Title: Eagle on the Moon: Re-Shaping the Future of Aboriginal HIV Health Promotion

Through research, development and provision of HIV/AIDS theatre performances, the Wabano Centre will create a cultural and performance-art-based HIV/AIDS health promotion model which is appropriate for urban Inuit, Métis and First Nations audiences. This project will raise the HIV/AIDS awareness of 20-30 performers/educators and 2,500 performance attendees, annually.

Organization: Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle
Project Title: HIV/AIDS Awareness Through Sharing & Vision

Through the development and dissemination of an HIV/AIDS training DVD, theatre troupe performances and training activities on policy development, the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle will increase the knowledge of 900 members (500 of unspecified age and 400 youth) of the Aboriginal communities of Simcoe County and Northern York Region of the factors related to HIV/AIDS transmission and increase the capacity of 7 urban Aboriginal organizations to address HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination in the Simcoe County and Northern York Region.

Québec Region

Organization: Centre d'Amitié Autochtone de Val-d'Or
Project Title: Projet de lutte au VIH/Sida chez les Autochtones de la communauté autochtone de Val-d'Or

Through "Projet de lutte au VIH/sida chez les Autochtones de la communauté Autochtone de Val-d'Or," the Native Friendship Centre of Val-d'Or will use support groups, sharing circles and HIV/AIDS resources and material to increase Aboriginal people's awareness of HIV/AIDS transmission, local resources and services available in the Val-d'Or area.

Organization: Native Friendship Centre of Montreal Inc.
Project Title: Fostering Peer Support and Peer Leadership Amongst HIV Positive Aboriginal Peoples in Montréal

Through the "Fostering Peer Support and Peer Leadership Amongst HIV Positive Aboriginal Peoples in Montreal" project, the Native Friendship Centre of Montreal will increase the HIV/AIDS transmission knowledge, self-care and peer-support skills amongst Aboriginal People Living With HIV/AIDS (APHAs) in Montréal. In addition, the project will increase the HIV/AIDS knowledge of Montreal community-based health centres to respond to APHA needs.

Atlantic Region

Organization: Healing Our Nations
Project Title: Completing the Circle: Connecting with Our Members and Communities

Healing Our Nations (HON) will continue their ongoing commitment to connect with community and specifically APHA members in a meaningful way. Through new HIV/AIDS resources and the provision of APHA capacity building training, HON will increase the capacity for a unified response to HIV/AIDS and increase the involvement of Aboriginal people living with HIV/AIDS in HIV prevention initiatives. In addition, Healing Our Nations will host the Atlantic Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Circle initiative composed of Aboriginal community-based AIDS organizations, Health Canada funders, APHAs and Elders from the Atlantic region. The Circle enhances the capacity of the two lead partner organizations which are HON and the Labrador HIV/AIDS Project at the Labrador Friendship Centre.

Organization: Labrador Friendship Centre
Project Title: HIV/AIDS Labrador Project

The Labrador Friendship Centre (LFC) will provide training sessions for medical staff and workers at the Voisey's Bay Nickel Site, participate in the Atlantic Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Circle and hold HIV/AIDS Fairs for Métis youth on the South Coast and HIV/AIDS awareness training for Inuit populations on the North Coast. Through these activities, the LFC will increase the HIV/AIDS knowledge of health care professionals who service the Innu communities of Sheshatshiu and Natuashish, increase the HIV/AIDS knowledge of Inuit and Metis Youth, and increase the HIV/AIDS knowledge of staff and workers at the Voisey's Bay Nickel Site.

Organization: Mi'kmaq Native Friendship Centre
Project Title: HIV/AIDS Kitpu Youth Project

Through the "HIV/AIDS Kitpu Youth Project," the Mi'k Maq Native Friendship Centre (MNFC) will conduct HIV/AIDS and peer-educator training workshops to increase the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among Aboriginal youth and youth-at-risk who use MNFC programs. In addition, the project will increase the skills and capacity of at least five Aboriginal community based organizations based in the Halifax area to deliver HIV/AIDS programming to Aboriginal youth.

Territories Region

Organization: Pauktuutit Inuit Women's Association
Project Title: Canadian Inuit HIV/AIDS Network

Through the organization of AIDS Walks, Arctic Youth AIDS Fairs and the creation of Inuit-specific treatment information factsheets and materials, Pauktuutit will continue the efforts of Canadian Inuit HIV/AIDS Network (CIHAN) to address HIV/AIDS issues in order to decrease the infection rates of HIV among Inuit, ensure the continued meaningful participation of Inuit in discussions around the development of HIV/AIDS related programs and policies, and create an environment of understanding for HIV/AIDS prevention that encourages community members to make informed choices.

Organization: Yukon Aboriginal Women's Council
Project Title: Honouring Aboriginal Women of the Yukon: Reducing Vulnerability to HIV

Through the creation of a curriculum to increase HIV/AIDS knowledge and facilitation skills for 14 Aboriginal contact/resource women from 14 different Aboriginal communities in the Yukon, the Yukon Aboriginal Women's Council will plan and conduct a three day training seminar and, following this, the trained women will hold HIV/AIDS awareness raising workshops in their own communities. The expected result of the project is an increase of HIV/AIDS knowledge among at-risk women in 14 Yukon communities.

National Level

Organization: The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Society
Project Title: Making It Our Way: Engaging Diverse Aboriginal Participation and Leadership on HIV/AIDS in Canada

Through training and the creation of community mobilization tools, the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network will develop and strengthen the current HIV/AIDS advocacy skills of Aboriginal leaders in all regions of Canada while at the same time increasing their knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission issues. This project will also increase the awareness of Aboriginal HIV/AIDS issues among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal stakeholders.