CAAN December 1 – 5:

AAAW 2011 Regional Event Descriptions

Thursday, Dec 1

Co-hosted by Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada – Ottawa

Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week 2011 Launch Event

The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) will be hosting the Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week Launch Event on December 1, 2011 in Ottawa, ON where the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health will be in attendance. The 2011 AAAW will connect national Aboriginal organizations, government
 partners, health care providers, and community leaders to support change through their own action and by supporting the actions of others. The forum will focus on how community-based responses address the circumstances that underlie HIV infection rates: from creating inclusive rural, urban and, global communities to acknowledging constructive ways to respond to acts of intolerance and discrimination.

Location :   Ottawa – Residence Inn by Marriot – 161 Laurier Ave. West
Time :   10:00am – 3:00pm – Opening Prayer at 10am
Contact :   Geri Bailey – gbailey[at]pauktuutit.ca / 613.238.3977

Friday, Dec 2

Co-hosted by Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal – Montreal

Celebrating Aboriginal Women, Culture, and Community

As part of the national Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week (AAAW), the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) and the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal (NWSM) are partnering to present a bilingual event on December 2, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec. Reflecting this year’s AAAW campaign theme, “It takes the whole community to support change…”, the NWSM is mobilizing community to be part of this event focused on Aboriginal women. Activities will include speakers from the local, regional and national levels that will speak to Aboriginal women’s issues and share some highlights. The event will feature traditional ceremonies and performances.  As a special presentation the local organizers have invited the Visioning Health Arts and Positive Aboriginal Women exhibit.

Location :   Montreal – Holiday Inn Select Chinatown, Dahlia Room – corner of Viger/St. Urbain
Time :   9:30am – 1:00pm
Contact :   Carrie Martin – carrie.nwsm[at]gmail.com / 514.933.4688
……………….Doris Peltier – dorpeltier[at]yahoo.ca / 450.672.8753

Saturday, Dec 3

Co-hosted by Assembly of First Nations – Facebook

Visit AFN Facebook Page for an Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week Presents Youth Videos

** IMPORTANT ** EVENT CHANGE

Tune into the Assembly of First Nations Facebook Page throughout December 3, 2011 and see the video messages created by youth to raise awareness and decrease stigma surrounding sexual health and HIV and AIDS…and see an address from Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Location:   Online – www.facebook.com/AFN.APN
Time:  All Day ~ Saturday, Dec 3, 2011
Contact:   Jessica Demeria – jdemeria[at]afn.ca / 613.241.6789 X248

Cultural Gathering and Awareness Sharing

A cultural gathering and awareness-sharing event in Winnipeg will bring healing energy to the community on Sunday December 4, 2011. To honour Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week, Ka Ni Kanichihk is working in collaboration with the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network to host a traditional gathering including a pipe ceremony, talking circle, and dancers and drumming. We will learn and talk about HIV and AIDS in our community, how we can work to respond and address these challenges and embrace opportunities to do this vital work in our own community.  A feast will follow the gathering to honour our time together on this powerful day.

Location :   Winnipeg – Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre – 430 Langside Street
Time :   12:30pm – 6:00pm – Opening ceremony begins at 1:00pm
Contact :   Shannon Cormier – scormier[at]kanikanichihk.ca / 204.219.9318
……………….Carol Moar – cmoar[at]kanikanichihk.ca / 204.997.5035

Monday, Dec 5

Co-hosted by Kimamow Atoskanow Foundation – Edmonton

Global Lessons ~ Local Practices: Indigenous and Aboriginal Peoples and HIV and AIDS

In Edmonton, on December 5, 2011 – to honour the final day of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week in Canada – Kimamow Atoskanow Foundation invites local stakeholders to come together for presentations and discussions about international Indigenous HIV and AIDS issues and how these relate to provincial, regional, and local realities. Trevor Stratton, Coordinator of the International Indigenous Working Group on HIV and AIDS, will attend and share his experience working with and learning from Indigenous partners who are responding to HIV and AIDS in their own communities. Local practitioners will share their insights in relation to the international context, as well as highlight First Nation, Metis, and other community perspectives. This session is open to everyone. Light refreshments served.

Location :   Edmonton Room, Edmonton Public Library, Downtown – Edmonton, AB
Time :   10:00am – 3:00pm
Contact :   Denise Lambert – info[at]treeofcreation.ca / 1.866.971.7233 or 780.887.9303