This article looks at Canadian resources on Indigenous people and HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction. The resources include strategies and guides for service providers and community members responding to HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction needs in Indigenous communities, as well as examples of existing programs. The list also includes resources for Indigenous people affected by HIV, hepatitis C and substance use.
Harm reduction and substance use
These resources explore harm reduction from an Indigenous perspective and provide information on substance use in Indigenous communities.
Indigenous harm reduction
Indigenous harm reduction = Reducing the harms of colonialism
2019
Communities, Alliances and Networks (CAAN) | Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD)
This policy brief examines an expanded understanding of harm reduction that includes principles based on Indigenous knowledge, culture and experiences with colonialism.
Indigenous harm reduction principles and practices
2018
First Nations Health Authority
This fact sheet summarizes the Indigenous harm reduction principles and practices developed by the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia.
Programs and tools
Indigenous-centred approaches to harm reduction and hepatitis C programs
2020
CATIE
This report summarizes key themes from a national dialogue that brought community members together to share Indigenous-centred harm reduction and hepatitis C programs.
Promising practices in Eskasoni: Utilizing harm reduction
CAAN
2019
In this video, community members in Eskasoni share their experiences with substance use and the impact harm reduction initiatives have had on their community.
"Taking care of each other" harm reduction video series
2018
First Nations Health Authority | Vancouver Coastal Health
In this series of four short videos, people working in harm reduction share their perspective on harm reduction in Indigenous communities. The videos can be used to support discussion of harm reduction in Indigenous communities and are accompanied by a teaching guide.
Substance use in Indigenous communities
Findings among Indigenous participants of the Tracks survey of people who inject drugs in Canada, Phase 4, 2017–2019
2021
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
This article reviews findings from Indigenous participants in the Tracks survey of people who inject drugs, including participants’ healthcare use and access, drug use behaviours and experiences, and HIV and hepatitis C prevalence.
Working with Indigenous communities to address HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs)
These resources present different strategies and approaches to responding to HIV, hepatitis C and other STBBIs in Indigenous communities.
Strategies and approaches
Strengths-based approaches in the HIV, HCV and overdose response
2021
CAAN
This information sheet discusses the benefits and components of a strengths-based approach to address HIV, hepatitis C and overdose in Indigenous communities.
Ikajurniq: An Inuit cascade of care framework for sexually transmitted and blood borne infections: Updated and expanded
2021
Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
This framework presents strategies for addressing STBBIs within a cascade of care specific to Inuit communities.
The Mino Pimatisiwin model of STBBI care
2019
Ka Ni Kanichihk
This model of STBBI care was developed to improve the delivery of STBBI prevention and treatment services among Indigenous people in Manitoba.
Transforming our response to sexual and reproductive health
2018
Native Women's Association of Canada
This fact sheet reviews the importance of providing trauma-informed care in sexual and reproductive health services and includes tips for providing care to Indigenous women.
The international strategic plan on HIV and AIDS for Indigenous peoples and communities from 2018 to 2024
International Indigenous Working Group on HIV and AIDS | International Indigenous HIV and AIDS Community
This strategic plan provides objectives and activities to inform the response to HIV among Indigenous peoples. The plan was developed by CAAN on behalf of the International Indigenous Working Group on HIV and AIDS to be adapted by different regions and nations to meet the needs of their communities.
Policy brief on HIV, hepatitis C, and STBBIs among Indigenous people
2023
CAAN | HIV Legal Network
This brief presents policy positions and recommendations addressing HIV, hepatitis C and STBBIs among Indigenous people in three areas: drug policy, sex work and prisons.
Programs and tools
Truths and reconciliation: Peer navigation in Indigenous contexts - Part 1 (Truths)
2023
CATIE
This article was written as part of the Peers4Wellness project and examines the healthcare and peer navigation experiences of the Indigenous women who participated in Peers4Wellness.
Ahtahkakoop Know Your Status hepatitis C program
2020
CATIE
This case study profiles the Know Your Status program, which promoted hepatitis C testing, treatment and care within the Ahtahkakoop First Nation in Saskatchewan.
Community readiness model
The community readiness model can be used to assess how ready a community is to address a specific issue. A number of HIV-related initiatives have adapted the community readiness model for use with different Indigenous communities in Canada.
CAAN has long worked with the community readiness model to support Indigenous communities and organizations in their response to health and wellness issues. This video profiles the development of services to address hepatitis C in Timiskaming First Nation in Quebec, including personal experiences of people in the community.
Adapted community readiness model (CRM): Questions for HIV/AIDS prevention, education and screening with Inuit communities
2019
Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
This tool adapts the questions for assessing readiness from the original community readiness model handbook for use with Inuit communities in Canada addressing HIV.
First Nation community readiness assessment for creating change: HIV workbook
2021
Manitoba HIV-STBBI Collective Impact Network
This workbook was developed to assess community readiness to address HIV in Indigenous communities in Manitoba.
Resources for Indigenous people affected by HIV and hepatitis C
These resources for Indigenous people share information about HIV and hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C
Wholistic conversations on liver wellness: An Indigenous perspective
2023
Co-created and produced with First Nations and Métis community members in Alberta
In this film, Indigenous knowledge keepers and community members discuss the importance of liver wellness, the impact hepatitis C has on the liver and the role of traditional culture in maintaining health and well-being.
Hepatitis C disclosure fact sheet
2021
CAAN
This fact sheet reviews tips and points to consider when deciding whether or not to share a hepatitis C diagnosis with family and friends and in different situations.
Know your rights: Indigenous communities and HIV/HCV in federal prisons
2023
CAAN | HIV Legal Network
This booklet answers questions related to HIV and hepatitis C in prison settings and covers HIV and hepatitis C testing, access to healthcare and harm reduction services and experiences with discrimination.
HIV
HIV and the criminal law in Canada
2023
CAAN | HIV and AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO) | HIV Legal Network
This booklet for Indigenous communities provides information on the impact of Canadian criminal law on HIV disclosure to sexual partners.
Know your rights – Indigenous communities: HIV, privacy, and confidentiality
2023
CAAN | HIV Legal Network
This booklet answers questions related to HIV, privacy and confidentiality in different situations, including when accessing healthcare, social and community services and within workplaces.
Strong medicine
2018
CAAN | CATIE
In this video, Indigenous people with HIV share information about the importance of HIV testing and treatment and the role Indigenous culture and traditions have had in their journeys with HIV. A discussion guide is available to support use of the film as a tool for community discussion.
About the author(s)
Erica Lee is CATIE’s manager of website content and evaluation. Since earning her master of information studies, Erica has worked in the health library field, supporting the information needs of frontline service providers and service users. Before joining CATIE, Erica worked as the Librarian at the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT).