2019 World AIDS Day & Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week

aboriginal-aids-awareness-week

The UNAIDS theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is “Communities make the difference”.  Find resources and events to boost your World AIDS Day action.

 

Resources

Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week: The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) announces Indigenous leadership and their supporters will celebrate the 21st Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week December 1 – 6, 2019. Resources and event guide

Working Together Against Stigma: Pacific AIDS Network (PAN) is happy to have been part of a community effort working to address stigma in BC. We are working in collaboration with Health Authority representatives to honour those living with HIV and AIDS by fighting stigma. We have developed anti-stigma messages that Health Authorities will be sharing to their networks, encouraging people to consider the impact stigma can have on health, healthcare access, and community wellness for people living with and affected by HIV or AIDS. We strongly encourage PAN members to consider using these messages to address stigma in their communities.

 

Voices for World AIDS Day: PAN is one of 60 partners brought together by the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) to honour the UNAIDS theme of this year’s World AIDS Day. CANFAR has created a World AIDS Day-specific site, Voices for World AIDS Day.

 

Public Health Agency of Canada Social Media Kit: Annually, on December 1st, PHAC commemorates World AIDS Day (WAD) and the start of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week (AAAW). This year’s resources reflect on the significant progress made to improve the lives of those living with HIV, and  recognize the work that still needs to be done to promote the U=U Undetectable=Untransmittable) message and reduce HIV-related stigma.

 

People First: Life Under Stigma – World AIDS Day 2019: Northern Health has created a video to help fight stigma.

 

 

Events

Events are listed in alphabetical order by health authority. See bottom of page for how to get your event on this listing.

Fraser

HIV Stigma Stops with Us!

Organizer: Afro-Canadian Positive Network, Positive Living BC & YouthCO

Date: December 2, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Location: Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre, 9750 140 Street, Surrey, BC

Details: Our organizations will be on hand to share in food, an interactive HIV stigma challenge, a photo exhibit, and conversations about the ways we can stop stigma. Drop by from 2- 5 PM in recognition of World AIDS Day, an global day of HIV awareness. This is a free event!

 

HIV Awareness Day at Positive Haven
Organizer: Lookout Housing and Health Society

Date: Wednesday November 27, 10 AM to 3 PM

Location: Lookout Surrey Health Building, 10697 – 135A Street, Surrey, BC

Details:

Please join us to celebrate and raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. Music at Noon.
Earn your Champion HIV Awareness badge and a gift card when you answer the quiz.


North

World AIDS DAY/Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Event

Organizer: Positive Living North and Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre

Dates: December 2 to 5, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Location: Coast Mountain College Smithers, BC

Details: We will be staffing an outreach informational table. This is a free event. For more information, please contact Patricia at Positive Living North (250-877-004); or Diana at Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre (250-847-5211).

 

World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil and Dinner

Sponsor: Positive Living North

Date: December 2, 2019, 5 – 7 PM

Location: Fire Pit Cultural Centre, 1120 3rd Avenue, Prince George

Details: Join in honouring those living with HIV and those we have lost to HIV-related illnesses and AIDS. Share a story, a song, and join in our moment of silence. Supper will follow. More information: 250.562.1172

 

 


Vancouver Coastal

Raising Awareness In Support of WORLD AIDS DAY DECEMBER 1ST
Organizer: The Heart of Richmond AIDS Society

Date: Friday 29th November 10 AM  – 1 PM

Location: Gilwest Clinic at Richmond Hospital

 

26th Annual World AIDS Day

Organizers: Various

Date: Thursday November 28, 9 AM – 9:30 PM

Location: Community Centre, 401 Main Street, Vancouver

Details: Information booths, special speakers, cake, grocery giveaway, and more. We will post the schedule as soon as we have it.

 

Red Ribbon Awards Ceremony

Organizer: AIDS Vancouver

Date: December 1, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM

Location: The Junction Pub, 1138 Davie Street, Vancouver

Details: On this year’s World AIDS Day, AIDS Vancouver will hold our final Red Ribbon Awards Ceremony. We will be awarding the last 8 awards on this World AIDS Day afternoon. Award Recipients to be announced later.

 

Harm Reduction Event

Co-hosts: Circle of Eagles, Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network

Date: December 3, 1:00 PM  – 3:00 PM

Location: 2008 Wall Street, Vancouver, BC

Details: The Harm Reduction event will focus on Indigenous Brothers and Sisters who are leaving federal institutions in the Pacific Region. This event will highlight Promising Practices that communities play in responding to these issues and will highlight their efforts and how they play a major role in the successful reintegration of Indigenous people.

This event will bring together several organizations within Vancouver and surrounding area to discuss current supports that are available, discuss gaps and services and will formulate strategies to address those gaps. RSVP to Merv Thomas, [email protected], 604-874-9610

 


Vancouver Island

Art Installation ‘We Are Here’

Organizer: AVI Health and Community Services

Dates: November 29 to December 6

Location: On display at select Greater Victoria Public Libraries during AIDS Awareness Week & Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week

Details: The “We Are Here” Storyboard Project sheds light on the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in Victoria. HIV doesn’t just happen other places. It happens here, but how often do we get a chance to hear from those who live with the virus, right here in Victoria? Whether it is sharing early life experiences, struggles with HIV, experiences as activists, loved ones, neighbours and pioneers – while maintaining humanity through it all – this group of local storyboards are sure to inspire and move you.

 

Candle-Lit Red Ribbon Memorial Display

Organizer: AVI Health and Community Services

Date: December 1, from 5 – 6 PM

Location: BC Legislature Steps, 614 Government St, Victoria, BC

Details: You are invited to join AVI in acknowledging World AIDS Day & Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week by participating in a candle-lit red ribbon memorial display at the B.C. Legislature Steps at 5 PM on December 1. Event hosted by AVI Health and Community Services and Resistance Rising Choir
Everyone welcome

 

World AIDS Day Testing Event

Organizer: AVI Health and Community Services

Date: December 2, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: 615 10th St., Courtenay

Details: Join us December 2nd at the Comox Valley Nursing Centre. Free HIV and hepatitis C testing, fun games, and education. Cupcakes and prizes will be offered to those who attend! Call AVI at (250) 338-7400 for more details. Event hosted by AVI Health and Community Services. Everyone welcome

 

Red Scarf Awareness Campaign

Jeanette at AVI Health and Community Services made us aware of this cool campaign! It is active in November leading up to World AIDS Day. Red Scarf is a movement bringing community together to raise real awareness and knowledge about the positive advances in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. Red Scarf stands against stigma to improve the lives of those living with, affected by and at risk for HIV/AIDS in our community.

 

Add YOUR Event
If you are planning an event or campaign for World AIDS Day or Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week, let us know.
Please include:
  • Title of event or resource
  • How people can get more information (a contact person or website)
  • Time, date, and location (for events)
  • Cost (if applicable)
  • Audience (who the event or resource is for)
Email Janet the details and we will update the list as we receive information.