Services for HIV+ Aboriginal People

Although incidence (new HIV infections among the total population) has gone down in the Canadian population, it appears that HIV rates have been steadily increasing in First Nations and Inuit populations.

According to Health Canada, Aboriginal people in Canada continue to be over-represented in the HIV epidemic:

• Although they represent only 3.3% of the Canadian population, Aboriginal persons comprised 5-8% of prevalent infections (persons currently living with HIV infection in Canada) and 6-12% of new HIV infections in Canada in 2002;
• Injection drug use continues to be a key mode of HIV transmission in the Aboriginal community;
• HIV/AIDS has a significant impact on Aboriginal women; and
• Aboriginal people are being infected with HIV at a younger age compared to non-Aboriginal persons.

AIDS is now as pre-eminent in the Aboriginal population as it is in the general population.

• 87.8 percent (16,986) of the total reported AIDS cases in Canada (19,344) have information on ethnicity (1979 to December 31, 2003);
• 520 of these cases were among Aboriginal peoples;
• According to this information, Aboriginal peoples make up 3.1 percent of reported AIDS cases; and
• According to the 2001 Census, Aboriginal peoples make up 3.3 percent of the Canadian population.

If you are an Aboriginal person living with HIV/AIDS, there are services available for you across Vancouver Island. The following is a list of places you can call for help.

Victoria
Victoria Native Friendship Centre
231 Regina Ave
250-384-3211

AIDS Vancouver Island
1601 Blanshard Street
250-384-2366

Duncan
Hiiyeyu Lelum House of Friendship
106 - 5462 Trans Canada Highway
(250) 748-2242

Nanaimo
AIDS Vancouver Island
201-55 Victoria Road
250-753-2437

AVI Health Centre
216 - 55 Victoria Road,Nanaimo BC
250-754-9111

Courtenay/Comox
AIDS Vancouver Island
355 6th St., Courtenay
(250)338-7400
Toll free Infoline: 1-877-311-7400

Campbell River
AIDS Vancouver Island
1371 c. Cedar Street
Campbell River
(250)830-0787
Toll free Infoline: 1-877-650-8787

Port Hardy
AIDS Vancouver Island
(250) 949-0432