PWN at 20: HIV In Aboriginal Communities

 In this, our twentieth year, we’re featuring a monthly blog series, PWN at 20 that looks at PWN’s unique place in Canada. Last month we asked, ‘Where are The Children?’

When Positive Women’s Network was first started in 1991, the women who connected were often already connected to health care, community, and family. They were largely middle class mixed race working women who were faced with a surprising new health reality in the form of HIV. A group of infected and affected women formed PWN to offer peer support, dig out research on women and HIV (incredibly scarce then), and educate health care / social service providers about the differences of HIV+ women and HIV+ men.

 While religious conservatives called it God’s revenge on gays, these women knew it wasn’t so. They also knew that the women who would be affected and infected with HIV would come from many life backgrounds and experiences. From the start, we welcomed trans women, which is an issue that’s been hotly debated in women-serving organizations.

Those early members were right. We’ve supported women with life stories that reflect their differences. These differences include, but definitely aren’t limited to:

• race
• health status and challenges
• countries of birth
• social situations
• economic situations
• age
• sexual orientation
• relationship status

And while we do see women who come from an enormity of backgrounds, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that Aboriginal women have been particularly hard hit by HIV.

The Impact on Aboriginal Communities 

European contact and colonialism resulted in a legacy of disadvantage which continues today. History tells of disease, illness, breaking apart communities and sending Aboriginal people from traditional territories to government determined reserve land. In more contemporary history, there were Residential Schools that alienated children from their families, language and cultures and forced them to suffer terrible sexual and physical abuse. The 60’s Scoop took many children from their families and sent them to live in foster care of non-Aboriginal families.

The enduring effects of colonialism represent many layers of pain, alienation, and frustration that have contributed to generations of trauma. Alcohol and drug use are often where people turn to deal with excruciating pain, and alcohol and drug use can fuel HIV transmission. Alcohol use can mar safe sex decisions, and the power to negotiate. Sharing drug equipment like syringes, cookers and spoons can facilitate HIV transmission. When one is in the hold of drug addiction, harm reduction can be the last thing on your mind. The prevalence of sexual abuse and the health consequences it brings also make women more vulnerable to HIV. Violence in relationships (pre and post diagnosis and disclosure) place women in positions that can threaten their lives.

Women represent 26% of new infections in Canada. The numbers in the Aboriginal communities are more devastating. Women represent almost 50% of new infections in Aboriginal people. These numbers are on par with countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Generations of Aboriginal communities are challenged by HIV stigma, access to health care from remote communities, safe and confidential support in communities where everyone knows everyone else’s business.

The damage borne by Aboriginal communities is huge, but many are focused on healing, educating and providing resources to turn the tide. Chee Mamuk provides education and resources to communities across BC. Healing Our Spirit provides peer support to Aboriginal people living with HIV here in the Lower Mainland. Positive Living North in Prince George offers support, advocacy and education to Aboriginal people in the region.

PWN has offered Aboriginal Women’s retreats that focus on sharing cultural knowledge and healing and living with HIV in the context of Aboriginal teachings. For women who have been alienated from their roots, opportunities like this to reconnect are amazing. One attendee said, “This is my first Aboriginal anything, so every event that brought Aboriginal people who are living with HIV together is great.”

Yes, HIV can hit anyone. But it has hit Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal women, hard.

- Janet

This was posted on Friday, July 1st, 2011 at 6:00 am and is filed under Daily Moments, Education & Resources, HIV Prevention, HIV progression, HIV stigma, HIV Transmission, PWN at 20, Risk factor, sexual health . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.

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