Decolonizing HIV prevention through Two-Eyed Seeing

This webinar is part of a series organized in partnership between Oahas, 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations and CATIE.

Indigenous culture is medicine, and Indigenous communities are reclaiming approaches to health and wellness, including sexual health and HIV prevention. This reclamation is taking place in the face of systemic barriers and intersections of stigma that have made HIV prevention a challenge.

At the same time, Western biomedical science in HIV prevention has leapt forward in an unbelievable way. Tools like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) work to prevent the spread of HIV before or just after a person is exposed to HIV.

For those living with HIV, Western biomedical HIV treatment has made similar strides. Today, HIV treatment is a literal lifesaver: a person on effective HIV treatment can live a long and healthy life. In addition, HIV treatment helps prevent the transmission of HIV to others. A person with HIV who is on successful treatment cannot pass HIV to their sexual partners.

Alongside other options like condoms, the chance of transmission today using one of these highly effective HIV prevention strategies is practically zero or in the case of U=U, actually zero. These prevention strategies have the potential to push us forward into a world with fewer HIV transmissions and less stigma.

To realize this future, however, we must acknowledge both the strengths and ways of knowing of Indigenous and Western cultures. By weaving together Indigenous knowledge of wellness and HIV prevention with Western knowledge of biomedical HIV prevention, we have the power to reduce HIV transmission in Indigenous communities.

This webinar will introduce the audience to biomedical strategies and increase knowledge of how these prevention strategies can and have been integrated into an Indigenous frame of knowledge for Indigenous communities.

With support from Elder Linda Barkman

Moderator: Aaron Bowerman

Speakers:

• Albert McLeod, LLD, Indigenous Cultural Consultant
• Martin Morberg, Tutchone/Tlingit, Two-Spirit Program Coordinator, Community-Based Research Centre