Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network

November 29, 2005 16:52 ET

CAAN: Aboriginal Senators and Recording Artists Join Forces to launch Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - Nov. 29, 2005) - Aboriginal Senators Honourable Sandra Lovelace Nicholas from New Brunswick and Honourable Willie Adams of Nunavut are to speak at a press conference hosted by the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) to open Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week on December 1, 2005. The conference will take place at the Delta Ottawa 361 Queen Street, Ottawa, Algonquin Room from 11:00 am - 12:00 noon.

As the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Canada unfolds, figures continue to increase for the Aboriginal population at alarming rates. While most Canadians believe that HIV/AIDS is no longer a threat, Aboriginal communities are getting hit harder and harder. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, Aboriginal people made up 23.4% for HIV-positive test reports up to December 31, 2003.

Recent increases in federal funding are long overdue. The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network applauds the $84.4 million made available, yet is sounding concerns about how resources are managed effectively. A major concern rests with Correctional Services Canada, which receives a $4.2 million dollar annual infusion. Kevin Barlow, Executive Director of CAAN states "With the high number of Aboriginal inmates, CSC needs to fund Aboriginal groups to expand HIV/AIDS efforts inside prisons."

Aboriginal people are disproportionately over represented in the HIV epidemic in Canada. Injecting drug use accounts for two-thirds of new HIV infections. More Aboriginal women and youth are also becoming HIV positive.

CAAN expanded its annual campaign to run December 1 to 5, 2005, starting on World AIDS Day. The theme this year is "Knowledge is Power. Leadership is Action: Be a Leader, Make the Promise."

In addition to two Aboriginal Senators speaking to this serious health concern, Aboriginal recording artists have also joined in. Buffy Saint-Marie, Susan Aglukark and Winston Wuttanee recorded public service announcements for radio and television, which will be launched December 1st.

As the epidemic grows, so is the need to have high profile individuals help raise awareness.

Audio & Video are available on CCNMatthews' website at the following addresses:

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/winston30teach_others.mp3
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/winston15be_a_leader.mp3
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/susanpsa_30knowledge.mp3
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/susanpsa15_2.mp3
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/buffy_psa_tansi.mp3
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/buffy30survival.mp3
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/Laverne_French.mov
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/Franco_French.mov
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/Ed_French.mov
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/Laverne_English.mov
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/Franco_English.mov
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/Ed_English.mov