ACT Community Health Forum
HIV AND THE EFFECTS OF OTHER CONDITIONS

Wednesday February 15th.  2012   7-9pm.

Eastern time also via web cast: www.actornto.org/forum

Ramada Plaza Hotel. 300 Jarvis Street
Toronto

 

We are pleased to attach information for you about our free workshops taking place in our HALCO Boardroom:
-Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs) on February 29, 2012-HALCO Public Legal Education Workshop Series in March and April 2012

The workshops are free and everyone is welcome, but space is limited so registration is required. Please see the attached notices for all the details.

You also find the workshop notices on our website:

-RDSP workshop:

http://www.halco.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/RDSP-workshop-2012_Feb29_at_HALCO.pdf

-March and April 2012 workshop series:

http://www.halco.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/HALCO_Workshop_Series_2012-Mar-Apr.pdf

You can help!

1.    Petition message from Commitment2Community: “Please take action on the 2012 City Budget now – visit  http://togethertoronto.ca/campaigns/community-services to sign a petition urging your city councillor not to cut funding to the Community Partnership and Investment Program (CPIP). Signing this petition is quick, easy and effective. Your message will go to directly to your city councillor and you can customize it with your own comments or concerns. After you have signed, be sure to share the link widely over email, blogs, Facebook or Twitter.”

2.    Rally: Show your concerns about cuts to city services and good jobs on Tuesday January 17th by attending the Rally for Toronto at 5:30 pm at City Hall.

Community Partnership and Investment Program (CPIP) includes funding for AIDS Prevention and Drug Prevention programs – a 10% cut is still on the table.  These and many other community service cuts will directly impact residents living with poverty, disabilities, mental health problems, and homelessness; residents from the City’s lesbian, gay and trans communities, newcomers and ethno-racial communities. Children, youth and seniors will bear a large share of the service cuts.

With a 2011 surplus of $154 million, there is more money available that Council can choose to use to stop the cuts to community services. There are a growing number of Councillors who do not want to increase the burdens faced by many individuals and communities in Toronto.  They need our support.

Please act now! Questions or for more information contact Joan Anderson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thanks,

Joan Anderson

416-873-6099

Photograph: Etobicoke School for the Arts performers by On Q Photography for INSPIRE AWARDS.

I was very proud to have PositiveLite.com as a partner in the first Inspire Awards night back in the summer just before pride. With the popularity of the first awardsnight came the idea of honoring lifetime achievement.

One of this year's recipients was Boyd Kodak who has accomplished so much, not just in his work on trans and human rights issues, but also in the arts, film and performance. (Bob Leahy previously interviewed him for PositiveLite.com, and you can find that feature here.)

The second to be honoured, and in no order of ranking, was Michelle DuBarry, who has been doing drag since the days when it was illegal. In a documentary about the St. Charles Tavern, a local gay hangout in the early years, Michelle recounted how those entering on Halloween were pelted with eggs.

Jack Layton posthumously received the "honorary" lifetime achievement award, accepted by his two children Mike and Sarah. Jack Layton had been an early champion of same-sex marriage and equality stemming from his days as a Toronto City councillor.  He was one of the first politicians to attend Pride and was a regular at that event.

A highlight of the evening was host extraordinaire Mike Chalut of Proud FM, who kept the night moving along nicely, despite the odd technical difficulties.

Students from the Etobicoke School of arts, the same school that caught Lady Gaga's attention for their anti-bullying work, performed several amazing sets. I watched the performances and thought, "Wow, we've come such a long way." A group of young people performing at this kind of event 25 years ago would simply be unheard of.

Sofonda Cox paid tribute to Michelle DuBarry with her hot back-up dancers. Carrie Chesnut and Boyd Kodak performed an original composition.

Other highlights were the acceptance speeches, all of which could bring even the most stone-hearted of us to a place of mushy eyes. It was a night that was indeed quite special.

Kudos go to Antoine Elhashem, chair of the not-for-profit Inspired Awards Inc. board and all of those who worked hard to pull of a fun, classy and at times emotional night. It was a huge team effort. Also a big thank you to Xtra for featuring – on their cover –  the event, and to all those who worked so hard.

If there is one thing to say it's that the Inspire Awards crew know how to pull off a great event.

The following are two moments with Mike Layton, and Michelle DuBarry, filmed on the night of the awards show.

Please welcome Ken Clement, CEO of the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) to PositiveLite.Com. Through Twitter I learned about, and wanted to highlight, some of the activites taking place during this year's Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2011. Through the magic of social media, we have Ken to answer a few questions on Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week and CAAN. I'd like to extend a big thank you to Ken for taking time out for us as I know this is a very busy time.

Brian Finch: I'd like to start with CAAN for those who may not be familiar with the organization. What is your mandate, and what kind of programs and services do you offer?

Ken Clement: The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) is a national, non-profit coalition of Aboriginal people and organizations which provides leadership, support and advocacy for Aboriginal people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. CAAN provides a youth, community readiness, International Work with respect to Aboriginal HIV.

The goals and objectives of the agency are:

1. To provide accurate and up-to-date information about the prevalence of HIV in the Aboriginal community and the various modes of transmission.

2. To offer leaders, advocates and individuals in the AIDS movement a chance to share their issues on a national level by building skills, education/awareness campaigns, and acting in support of harm reduction techniques.

3. To facilitate the creation and development of regional Aboriginal AIDS service agencies through leadership, advocacy and support.

4. To design materials that are aboriginal specific for education and awareness at a national level, and to lessen resource costs of underfunded, regional agencies by distributing and making available these materials wherever possible.

5. To advocate on behalf of Aboriginal people living with HIV/AIDS (APHA's) by giving them forums in which to share their issues and to facilitate the development of healing and wholeness strategies among the infected Aboriginal population.

6. To build partnerships with Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal agencies that address the issues of Aboriginal people across jurisdictions, thereby improving the conditions in which Aboriginal people in Canada live through a continuous and focused effort.

BF: In Canada there are many disparities when it comes to HIV and aboriginals vis-à-vis the general infection rate for Canadians. Can you expand on what is the present situation with regards to HIV infection and other issues such as access to treatment?

KC: According to the most recent research, Aboriginal people make up an estimated 8.0% of all Canadian people living with HIV, and about 12.5% of all new HIV infections. Injection drug use is the main category of exposure for HIV for both Aboriginal males and females. HIV infections are diagnosed at a younger age among Aboriginal people, and also affect a higher proportion of women when compared with the non-Aboriginal population. Access to treatment and support becomes challenging for people who live in rural/remote areas.

BF: This year CAAN is hosting the Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week Launch Event on December 1, 2011 in Ottawa. For those who are fortunate enough to live in the area and would like to attend, what is planned for the launch?

KC: Affirming community action and community solidarity in responding to HIV will set the stage for a gathering of Aboriginal people on Algonquin traditional territory in Ottawa for the launch of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week (AAAW) 2011 in Canada (December 1 – 5, 2011).

On December 1, CAAN is co-hosting AAAW Launch Event in partnership with Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada. Gathering together on World AIDS Day, Aboriginal communities will join in sharing knowledge, research, expertise and work currently underway in response to Aboriginal HIV and AIDS issues in Canada. This coming together of cultural, social, health and political events during AAAW is a demonstration of the importance of dedicated attention to the Aboriginal HIV and AIDS agenda – and affirms that everyone can contribute to creating change in their own communities.

This AAAW Launch brings together national Aboriginal organizations, government partners and health care providers, and community members they serve, to dialogue, network, make new connections, and build on their understandings of the key influences driving HIV infection rates among Aboriginal people and wise practices for responding to these.

BF: There are other community events being held as well, what are those?

KC: Dec 1 – Launch of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week

Dec 2 – Montreal – Women's Issues co-hosted by the Native Women's Shelter of Montreal

Dec 3 – Ottawa – Webcast Event co-hosted by the Assembly of First Nations

Dec 4 – Winnipeg – Cultural Gathering and Awareness co-hosted by Ka N Kanichihk

Dec 5 – Edmonton – Global Lessons ~ Local Practices co-hosed by Kimamanow Atoskanow Foundation

BF: In the press release for Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week you are quoted, "We are promoting health and wellbeing in our communities – we are fulfilling a sacred role in nurturing holistic healing, grounded in our cultural past and today's reality" I'd like to hear more on how important that efforts in AIDS awareness be culturally base? How does one honour sacred role of nurturing holistic healing of the cultural past while taking into account today's reality?

KC: In the Aboriginal community, health is considered in a broad context – it moves beyond physical well being to include emotional, spiritual, and social aspect of our lived experience. Our rich cultural past provides us with traditional healing practices and tools for addressing the complexity of living with a 'modern' illness like HIV.

However, to meaningfully address HIV in the contemporary aboriginal community requires that we address current realities, such as injection drug use, that create the circumstances for HIV to spread in our population. Combining cultural practices with modern medicine is one way that we work with communities to find meaningful ways of preventing and responding to HIV – like creating communities free of stigma and discrimination so people feel supported at home and can be close to their families, educating elders and healers about HIV and how to provide care and support in a safe way when people living with HIV are participating, as well as developing campaigns, like Aboriginal AIDS Awareness week, to remind communities that there is still work to be done.

BF: How does social and community support play an important role for aboriginals living with HIV, or are newly diagnosed?

KC: As outlined in the previous response, social and community support – having safe communities to live and grow in – is key to the wellbeing for people living with HIV. This is important because in many cases, Aboriginal people diagnosed with HIV live in small communities where confidentiality can be an issue and can cause discrimination and further stigmatization of the illness – for individuals and their families. This is not an environment that supports care or treatment, and the stigma can lead to devastating emotional experiences. It is not fair to have to choose between home/family and proper care.

BF:Lastly, if you were given three wishes to fix issues important to the aboriginal community and HIV, what would they be?

KC: Continuation of the Federal initiative to address HIV in Canada

Improve the living conditions of Aboriginal People in Canada

Eliminate HIV and AIDS stigma and discrimination

BF: Great! Good luck, Ken, with your events and thanks again for talking to PositiveLite.com

On November 12^th, the Ontario AIDS Network (OAN) 16^th Honour Roll Awards Banquet was held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Toronto.  Once a year the OAN Honour Roll celebrates outstanding leadership and achievement within the HIV/AIDS movement in Ontario.

This is a night where work is put aside. There is not a policy discussion in the house. Rather, it is an evening to socialize, support and celebrate those who have been recognized by theri peers. The Bank of Montreal, (BMO), was on hand as one of the major financial supporters of the evening (additionally ViiV in partnership with Shire, Gilead, PLDI - Positive Leader Development Institute).

Master of ceremonies for the evening was OHTN board chair and 1996 honouree, David Ho. And what an MC was he. I had no idea that David was so funny, and had perhaps been moonlighting in comedy clubs in his few spare moments.

There are three categories announced, and each person had their nominator introduce the recipient to accept their award. This year’s recipients were as follows:

The Person with HIV/AIDS Leadership Award: Murray Jose, and Christine Decelles

The Caregivers Award: Richard Nastor

The Community Partners Award: William Flanagan, and Doug Greydon

Each of these individuals has contributed immensely over their career of working in the HIV/AIDS movement. Each of their stories are touching in how they found themselves in roles that have helped our community move forward.

To touch on each honouree's accomplishments would provide enough material to write a text book on how to make a difference.

Murray Jose, Executive Director of The Toronto PWA Foundation, as seen in the included video, spoke eloquently - and tearfully - on the power of being touched by just one person. His caring for those affected by this disease, particularly in the early days, fuelled a life time of working towards social justice and empowerment of people living with HIV.

This theme moved forward while listening to Reverend Doug Greydon's very long history in pastoral care, working with dying gay men in the days when no others dared even enter the room.

Richard Nastor’s nominator spoke about how, through caring work, Richard helped bring him back to life after very difficult times. Richard works for Bruce House, and has a long list of contributions to the HIV/AIDS movement in Ottawa.

William Flanagan’s activism in New York in the early years while working on his law degree launched a decades-long involvement aiding the community. Most notably he took the reigns at the Ontario HIV Treatment Network’s board of directors and helped form the OHTN in to the vibrant and relevant organization it is today.

Finally, Christine Decelles, an HIV positive trans woman seen here in her acceptance video, has been living with HIV for over 25 years and has been on the forefront of social justice, in particular advocating for those HIV-positive people in the prison system. Her candid public speaking as a former sex worker has put a face to transgender issues in addition to the aforementioned work.

Reviewing the combined work of this year’s recipients, it’s hard not to have pride in and gratitude for being part of a caring, dynamic and tireless community where believing in change has created change.

Congratulations to all recipients of this year’s OAN Honour Roll Awards.