Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week
December 1st to 6th is Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week. While there are no reliable data that capture the full extent of the HIV/AIDS epidemic amongst First Nations, Inuits and Métis populations in Canada, it is estimated that about 22 per cent of new cases of HIV occur among the Aboriginal population even though Aboriginal people represent only 3.3 per cent of the Canadian population. Even more alarming is the rate of HIV-positive tests among Aboriginal women. The National Aboriginal Health Organization's fact sheet has more data and reasons why Aboriginal people appear to be more vulnerable to HIV infection.
While searching for information on HIV/AIDS in Aboriginal people, I came across the Cree Medicine Wheel which shows the individual with HIV in the centre of the wheel surrounded by the seven teachings of the Ojibway Peoples – love, wisdom, truth, honesty, courage, respect and humility. Looks intriguing… 
For more information on HIV/AIDS check out Toronto Public Library's collection on HIV/AIDS and more specifically the Native Peoples Collection at the Spadina Road Branch, North York Central Library and Toronto Reference Library.
Comments