Aboriginal HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention was the topic of discussion this week at a Saskatoon research conference.
Over four days, conference participants were treated to a wide variety of workshops, keynote speakers and research panels aimed at helping Indigenous people prevent and deal with HIV/AIDS infection.
Jessica Danforth, an official with the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network, says one of the focuses of the conference is self-empowerment.
“I think that’s sort of the difference of the shift we are seeing in the work being done is not just talking about the stereotypes or the stigma and the shame around it,” she says. “It really is about empowerment and reclaiming and rebuilding ourselves.”
About 200 people took in the gathering.
The CAAN conference wrapped up today with a discussion about how to build an Aboriginal HIV/AIDS research strategy in Canada.