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Special
session:
First
Nation Model on HIV/AIDS and the Immune System
Donna
Everette
Chief
Jacob Berens Mino-Ayaawin Center
Berens
River, Manitoba, Canada
Co-presenter:
Norman
McKay –Co-presenter
Chief
Jacob Berens Mino-Ayaawin Center
Berens
River, Manitoba, Canada
Session
intro: The
HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to grow and threaten Aboriginal Peoples
throughout the world. The
last decade had seen a steady rise in the Aboriginal AIDS cases in Canada.
Some studies have shown that as many as 25% of 16, 000 cases in
Canada in this country may be Aboriginal.
Infection rates in Aboriginal women and two-spirited (gay) people
are rising rapidly. The
economic and social power imbalance between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
in the country plagues our communities with a host of social problems.
HIV is rapidly becoming one of them.
Studies in mainstream society also show that instances of HIV
infection occur more frequently where poverty, violence, drug use and
alcoholism are present. The
high degree of movement of Aboriginal people between inner cities and
rural on-reserve areas may bring the risk of HIV infection to even the
most remote First Nation Communities such as Berens River First Nation,
Manitoba. Canada.
Abstract
: The
proposed First Nation Model will present the immune system and its
components by unfolding two stories simultaneously:
The first story provides the medical version and the second story
correlates it to a First Nation version.
In the First Nation version, the model consists of story telling
from the traditional Plains Ojiway perspective but it is adaptable to any
First Nation or Indigenous people teachings.
The model is a teaching tool and it can be used in providing HIV
and AIDS prevention and education as well as an understanding for care and
support. Lessons to be
learned: The participants
will gain an understanding of the role of the immune system specifically
when infected with HIV. The
participants will learn about the Plains Ojibway traditional stories and
how they can incorporate their own Indigenous teachings.
It is recommended that any Indigenous group can adapt this teaching
tool and to apply their own traditional teachings to HIV/AIDS programs.
About
Donna Everette
Donna
is a First Nation woman from Berens River First Nation and she is the
Health Director of the Chief Jacob Berens Mino-Ayaawin Center.
Donna has been working in the health field for approximately twenty
years and her main focus is working with the Aboriginal people.
She does have a complete understanding of urban (city) life and
First Nation community life and it challenges.
Donna has been providing the HIV/AIDS education since the 1980’s
and she continues to do with her staff at Chief Jacob Berens Mino-Ayaawin
Center.
About
Norman McKay
Norman
is a young First Nation man from Berens River First Nation and he is the
Addictions worker of the Chief Jacob
Berens Mino-Ayaawin Center. Norman
is a hunter who is knowledgeable about the traditional livelihood and he
does incorporate in his field. He
is a role model for the Aboriginal youth as he is keen to provide them
with the necessary tools.
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