Volume 1, Issue 1 October 2009

Youth Train-the-Trainers
In the early part of Fall 2008 the Task Force hosted three regional training sessions. The youth-orientated training material was developed and facilitated by Healing Our Spirit. The purpose of the three-day training session was to encourage peer dialogue, leadership, networking and capacity development. The participants also learned how to prepare, plan, and present training sessions in their community on HIV/AIDS awareness, education and prevention.

NW Youth Train-the-Trainers Aug 08

Nine of the 27 North West First Nation communities sent their youth to this training session in Terrace from August 19-21, 2009. The facilitators were Bambi Tait, Jonathon Potskin, Reg Johnson and the guest speaker was Ronald Horsefall. The youth were interested in finding out about their sexual boundaries as well as learning that women gets tested for HIV/AIDS when they go in for pregnancy tests.

NORTHERN BC ABORIGINAL HIV/AIDS TASK FORCE

A Year in Review

Youth Participants:
Melonie and Dennette Green Gitanmaax Band Council Terrilyn Good Gitanyow Band Council Melida Argueta Gitsegukla Band Council Lauren Birbeck Glen Vowell Band Alicyne Stewart and Raymond Green Kitamaat Village Council Amber McKay Laxgaltsap Village Council Kerri Ryan and Ericka Leighton Metlakatla Band Council

Adult Participants:
Carol Eichstaedt and Ida Austin Hagwilget Village Council

Inside this issue:

Youth Train the Trainers Message from Chair, Task Force Working Groups Mobilizing HIV/AIDS Programming, Percys Dream Pre and Post-Test Counselling I-Track Study & Community Readiness Project Youth & Chiefs Forum, Youth Video Project Executive Task Force, Staff, and Task Force 1-2

Elaine Ross Kitamaat Village Council Shanelle Alexander Kitselas First Nations Janice Stevens Laxgaltsap Village Government

3 4-5 5 6 7 8

Our Vision: Aboriginal people in orthern British Columbia will achieve and maintain strong, healthy, and fulfilling lives, free of HIV/AIDS and related issues.

NE Youth Train-the-Trainers Oct 08

Four of the eight First Nation communities plus one Aboriginal organization sent their youth to Fort St. John from September 30 to October 3, 2008. The facilitators were Sue Anne Phillips and Sandy LaLonde. The Youth were very interested in finding out how HIV/ AIDS can be transmitted.

Youth Participants
Caroline Ermineskin and Wadeen Badine West Moberly Lake First Nation Jamie Kristoffy and Ashley Watson Saulteau First Nation Tanya Ball Daylu Dena Council Travis and Ryan Metacheah Halfway River First Nation Samantha Cardinal Tansi Friendship Centre

CI Youth Train-the-Trainers Oct 08

Fifteen of the 31 First Nation communities were able to send their youth to Prince George from October 21-23, 2008 The facilitators were Anna Soole and Sidney Crosby. This session was unique as we combined two different regions together; the Northern Interior and Williams Lake. Since it was big it attracted the media and as a result our Chair, the facilitators and some youth participants were interviewed by various mediums including TV, radio and newspaper. The Youth were mainly concerned that their Youth Centres were shut down and they received the basic education about HIV/ AIDS very interesting.

Youth Participants:
James Frank and Cory Archie Canim Lake Indian Band Tara Quaw Cheslatta Carrier Nation Gloria Johnson and Jonathan Cardinal Esketemc First Nation (Alkali Lake) Kyle Alec, Edward Lowley, Lake Babine Nation Tashana LeBrun, Davina and Kristen Boyd Lhtako Dene Nation (Red Bluff) Marvin Solonas Nadleh Whuten Band Sarah Adolph Nee Tahi Buhn Band Ashley Antoine Saikuz First Nation Carmelita Abraham Takla Lake First Nation Alisha Abou Tsay Keh Dene Band Viola Turner Wetsuweten First Nation Cyle Robinson and Zachary Collinson Old Massett Village Council Russell Lewis Jr. and Keylin Michell Moricetown Indian Band

Adult Participants:
Lenora Christopher Canim Lake Indian Band Margaret Samson Esketemc First Nation (Alkali Lake) Clarence Abraham Takla Lake First Nation Phillip Lacerte and Howard Vincent Lake Babine Nation Veronica Cassam Lhooskuz Dene Nation (Klusklus) Deanna Boyd Lhtako Dene Nation (Red Bluff) Fred Pulles Quesnel Tillicum Society Kerry George Ministry of Children Family & Development

Page 2

A YEAR IN REVIEW

Message from the Chair

rier Sekani Tribal Council; a Chief, a Council and a General Manager for Lake Babine Nation; a board member for the College of New Caledonia; President of Native Communications Society of B.C.; President of Northern Native Broadcasting; board member of First Citizens fund, and currently Treasurer of President of Prince George Native Friendship Center. The Task Force was formed as a result of the Leadership Forum that was held on June 1 and 2, 2005 hosted by Carrier Sekani Family Services. 60 Chiefs from across Northern B.C. as well as provincial and national HIV/AIDS organizations and health professionals attended the two day forum to discuss the rising number of HIV/AIDS cases in Aboriginal communities. They signed a declaration for action on HIV/AIDS. As a result creation of the Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Task Force with specific inclusion of youth and elders were formed. There are various projects that got underway in April 2007, the Task Force was launched with the mandate of developing a strategic plan to improve services to Aboriginal HIV/AIDS infected and affected individuals and their families in northern B.C. As part of the plan, the Task Force was committed to improving access to services and addressing a number of key areas related to the prevention and treatment of infectious disease. It is clear that the mobile wellness van service is meeting a need that was not previously met through the fixed-site needle exchange clinic. In addition, the mobile
Emma Palmantier with Warner Adam, Executive Director, Carrier Sekani Family Services signing the Memorandum of Understanding.

On behalf of the Northern B.C. HIV/ AIDS Task Force, Executives, and staff we have for the past year discussed ways to inform our brothers and sisters who reside in remote, rural, urban, and First Nations communities report of our activities and events. It was agreed that we begin with a quarterly newsletter. I will provide a brief introduction of myself as the Chair of the Task Force. I am of Carrier ancestry from the Black Bear clan, descendant of Mary (Black Bear clan) and Matthew Michell, (Hereditary Chief Bilh dee dee ayh, Beaver clan). Born in Burns Lake and raised in Pendleton Bay. I received my Business Management training at Camosun College in Victoria B.C. I held various positions over years including; Vice-Chief of Car-

service has distributed a high number of services after regular business hours from 9:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M. from Wednesday to Sunday during summer months and winter season the hour change to 7:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. Regional sessions were scheduled and facilitated by Chair, Barby Skaling (educator), and Rosa Johnny (Administrative Assistant) in 2007. The information gathered at these consultation sessions became the blueprint that the Task Force implemented into their strategic plan. The remainder of this fiscal year the Task Force will be undergoing an evaluation. I would like to take this opportunity to say congratulations and thank you to all the participants who completed their training with sessions hosted by us. Currently we are doing two projects until the end of the fiscal year: the Community Readiness and Youth Video Project. I look forward to visiting all of the communities.

Task Force Working Groups Quarterly

Political Action and Leadership meet alternately at the Task Force meetings and the action items are undertaken by the Executive Task Force. Sir Justa Monk volunteered to be the new Chair in September 2009. Education and Awareness meet alternately at the Task Force meetings and the action items are undertaken by the Task Force office. Ron Mitchell just resumed as Chair in September 2009. Prevention, Harm Reduction, Treatment and Palliative Care is active and is Chaired by Kathy MacDonald, Northern Health. They met three times this year and have outlined action items based on the Task Force work plan. Their next meeting is scheduled for Fall 09. Research and Evaluation is active and is chaired by Christine Dockman, Public Health Agency of Canada. They met twice this year and their next meeting is scheduled in Fall 09. The Task Force will be undergoing an evaluation and this group will be making recommendations to the rest of the members about its process.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

Page 3

Mobilizing HIV/AIDS Programming Feb 08 & Nov 08

The Mobilization of HIV/AIDS Programming is a five-day training session developed and facilitated by the Chee Mamuk Aboriginal Program, BC Centre for Disease Control. This three-person team consists of: Melanie Rivers, JadaGabrielle Pape and Janine Stevenson. The Task Force hosted two sessions along with their corresponding two-day followup sessions in the Northern Interior and the North West. The purpose of the training was to help the participants to develop HIV/ AIDS and STIs programming into their communities. The workshops also provided the participants the opportunity to share and provide support.

Prince George Feb 08

Originally we were recruiting participants from the Northern Interior but because of the interest we broadened our range to the whole Task Force region. Of the 66 communities we had 17 communities send their members. This was a pilot session for this training program and it was the first time that the front-line workers were given an opportunity to network and discuss with their peers the problems they face in the community to deal with the issues around HIV/AIDS. They were very receptive to the training as it helped them deal with their clients that have been diagnosed with the disease. Prince George Follow-Up Jan 09 Of the original 24 participants, 17 people came back for this two-day follow-up session as indicated by an asterisk*. The participants identified that when they had two people from the same community that they felt more comfortable presenting in their communities.

Successful Participants:
Rose Apsassin* Blueberry River First Nation Mavis Benson Cheslatta Carrier Nation Jessie Attachie* Doig River First Nation Ramona Williams* and Vickie West* Lake Babine, Fort Babine Heather Stephens Gingolx Village Government (Kincolith) Lucy Glaim Gitsegukla Indian Band Winnie Field Halfway River First Nation Lori West* Lake Babine Nation, Woyenne Millie Alec-George* Lake Babine Nation, Tachie Lisa Sam* Nakazdli Band Council Laura Jack Nee Tahi Buhn Band Shauna Smith Old Masset Village Council Linda Holmes* Saikuz First Nation Mary Ann Wilson* Skidegate Band Council Helen Michelle* Skin Tyee Nation Alice Charlie* Stellaten First Nation Margaret Sampson* Wetsuweten First Nation Illa Setah* Xeni Gwetin First Nation Amanda Fitzsimmons* Fort Nelson Aboriginal Friendship Centre Bev Busby* Open Heart, Open Mind Donalee Sebastian* Positive Living North Wendy Brown Northern Health, Burns Lake

Percys Dream Wilp Siiganwx: House of New Beginning

When the Task Force first started, Percy Fowler, Gitwangak community member proposed his dream for youth to the Task Force. His dream is to provide a centre for youth to access training with love and care. A wholistic approach which incorporates life skills, tradition and culture. The Chair has been able to begin negotiations with the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) a non-profit organization to become our partners to
Page 4 A YEAR IN REVIEW

help us get this centre into reality. The proposed site it in the Gitwangak community called Fairhaven Farm. Other sites may be reviewed.

Mobilizing HIV/AIDS Programming, Terrace Feb 09

This training session was specifically for the North West, of the 27 First Nations 12 sent their community members. Charlotte Brooks was invited as the special guest-speaker. The issues that were discussed included their communities not being ready to support HIV/AIDS programming. There is a lot of fear surrounding this disease as well as a lot of misunderstanding about how to get it. Another issue was that some mothers do not know that they are being tested for HIV/AIDS and there needs to be some type of disclosure so that they know what is being tested when they provide a blood sample to help couples to avoid surprises. Terrace Follow-Up May 09 Of the 20 participants of the November session, 9 people came back, indicated by the asterisk*. Each one received a special gift called an outreach bag which is similar to an urban street nurse bag. The courier-type bags contained materials such as needles, mouthpieces, and condoms. Training was provided to demonstrate what should go into the bags and how to go about developing a program for its services.

Successful Participants:
Wanda Williams* Gitsegukla Band Council Linda Innes, Angela Ridley* & Cyril Aster Gixaala Nation (Kitkatla) Shirley Michell* Hagwilget Village Council Angela Clifton Hartley Bay Village Council Mary Quock* & Shawna Boudreau* Iskut First Nation Elaine Ross, Lucille Harms & Rosemarie Bolton Kitamaat Village Council (Haisla) Sharlene Mohr Kitsumkalum Band Council MaryLou McKay* Laxgaltsap Village Government (Nisgaa Greenville) Lillian Lewis* Moricetown Band Florence Nisyok* New Aiyansh (Nisgaa) Goldie Swanson Old Masset Village Council Geraldine Quock Tahltan Band Marilyn Morrison* Dze LKant Friendship Centre Katherine Younker Nuxalk Health & Wellness (Bella Coola) Rodney LittleMustache Healing Our Spirit

Pre- & Post-Test Counselling Feb 09

This one-day workshop was facilitated by Linda Keefe, Northern Health that covered the following seven topics: HIV 101, Prevention of Transmission, Pre Testing, and Post Brief Overview, Roles of the non testing service provider for post tests, Community Resources, and Self Care/ Debriefing. The participants learned the process that is involved when patients come in to get tested and what to expect when they receive their results. Fort St. John Feb 09 Five of the eight communities sent their front-line workers. The main recommendation for this training is that it be at least a full-day versus half a day. Moricetown Feb 09 Eleven of the 27 communities sent their front-line workers to the workshop and 3 urban Aboriginal organizations. One recommendation from the session was to present more material.

Moricetown Participants:
Vickie West Lake Babine Nation (Fort Babine) Rhoda Wilson Gitanmaax Band Council Dorinda Shirey and Lynlee Burleigh Gitanyow Band Council Lorraine Half Gitxsan Health Society Conrad Nikal Hagwilget Village Council Rhonda Schulmeister Kitamaat Village Council Fanny Nelson Metlakatla Band Council Ron Mitchell, Lillian Lewis, Helen Nikal, Bobbi Deere, Ruby Michell, Danette Gagnon, Juanita Nikal, Charmayne Gagnon, Louis Moolman, Moricetown Band Florence Nisyok Nisgaa Valley Health Authority Bev Busby Open Heart, Open Mind Melanie Monds and Donalee Sebastian Positive Living North Geraldine Quock Tahltan Band Marilyn Morrison Smithers Friendship Centre

Fort St. John Participants:

Iris Demontigny West Moberly Lake First Nation Winnie Field Halfway River First Nation Pablo Buzerque Fort Nelson First Nation Nadine Miller, Monica and Kendra McMillan Daylu Dena Council (Lower Post) Correne Apssasin Blueberry River First Nation

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

Page 5

I-Track Study May 09

The I-Track Study is a national study funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The first phase of the study included five cities: Edmonton, Victoria, Regina, Sudbury and Toronto in 20032005. Phase II included Victoria, Sudbury, Kingston, Quebec and Prince George. The main purpose of the study was to find out about their drug use, their behaviours around the use of their equipment when using drugs, their sexual behaviours as well as where they access their medical/social services such as needle disposal and exchange. The Prince George study was started in 2007/2008 fiscal period, the initial findings were announced in December 2008 and the final report was completed in June 2009. About 150 Intravenous Drug Users were interviewed in Prince George. This anonymous study let the participants answer a questionnaire and provide an optional blood sample. They were recruited from the Prince George Needle Exchange Program and the Native Health Society. The interviewers were: David Nuualiitia, Jennifer Davey and Amanda Wood and the project coordinator was Martha Shoemaker. The other acknowledged contributors include Linda Keefe, Sue Broomsgrove, Jill Tarasuk, Dr. Russell Callaghan and Emma Palmantier and the Task Force. The study indicates that 23% of the 92 Aboriginal participants were found to be HIV positive, which is twice as much as the rate amongst non-Aboriginal people. This rate is apparently only higher in Edmonton versus the other seven cities studied so far. The Task Force is currently working with the researchers to develop a one-page summary that will be released to the communities. We were also provided a nice traditional feast by the education group at the Gitselaus House of Learning. It was an excellent event.

Community Readiness Project Jul to Mar 09

The Chair and Program Coordinator will be visiting each of the 66 First Nations within the Task Force region to talk about HIV/AIDS and other related issues. The purpose of the visits is to find out where each community is at with respect to HIV/AIDS programs and services and how our office can assist. Additionally it will give the Chair an opportunity to meet the communities in their territory to develop partnerships and develop effective leadership strategies on the Provincial level. We will ask each First Nation community if we can meet with the Chief, Councillors, Health Directors, and Youth and Elders in a forum-type of setting to discuss their programs and other related issues such as Harm Reduction, Sexually Transmitted Infection (STIs) and Youth programs. We are looking forward to being out into the communities. To date both Emma Palmantier and Colette Plasway have gone into three different community areas: Dease Lake, Terrace, and the West Hazeltons. The communities included: Good Hope Lake, Iskut, Telegraph Creek, Kitsumkalum, Kitamaat, Kitselas, Gitxsan Health Society, and Hagwilget Village Council. The common themes that we have found so far is that the communities do not receive adequate budget to provide the HIV/AIDS awareness, education and prevention workshops as they would like. The money does not seem to factor in remoteness of the communities. There were a couple of communities where the health offices are willing to provide the support and education but that the communities are still in denial about the disease.

Page 6

A YEAR IN REVIEW

Youth and Chiefs Forum Jul 09

The Task Force was pleased to host the Youth and Chiefs Forum in partnership with the Carrier Sekani Family Services. The three-day July 6, 7, and 8, 2009 in Prince George, BC. Sixty-three (63) Youth and Chiefs from each of the four regions we serve which includes Williams Lake, North East, North West and Northern Interior. It has been four (04) years since the Task Force has been mandated to address the alarming rise in the number of Aboriginal people who have been newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The Task Force has been planning and wanting this forum for the past two years. The team who worked on this project include: Sara-Lynn Johnson, Youth Project Coordinator; Carmelita Abraham, Youth Program Assistant; and Helen Roberts, Office Assistant. The Carrier Sekani Family Services team included: Megan Hunt, Rosa Johnny, and Lisa DaSilva. Leadership was received from the Task Force and the Chair, Emma Palmantier. A final report will be released soon.

Carmelita Abraham, Emma Palmantier, and Sgt. Sidney Lecky

Grand Chief Ed John, Warner Adam, Mary Teegee, speaking and Ken Clements at Opening Address

Yekooche Youth and Elder

Volunteers

Sara-Lynn Johnson and Carmelita Abraham

Chief William Starr

Youth Video Project Aug to Oct 09

This video will feature communities who have been innovative with providing HIV/AIDS education, awareness and prevention initiatives. We picked eight youth to be trained to do a professional video and to take on interviewing community members. The video production trainers and facilitators are Harold C. Joe and Kendra Thomas of Visionkeepers Production. The communities that were featured included: Kitamaat Village Council, Lake Babine Nation and Nakazdli Band Council. The Prince George Needle Exchange, Fire Pit and the Mobilization Van were filmed and some people were interviewed.

Successful Participants:
Jonathon Alec and Laureen Michelle Lake Babine Nation Jordy Moise and Krista Alec Nakazdli Band Council Carmelita Abraham Takla Lake Nation Francois Roberts Skidegate First Nation Japeth Izatt-Sill Ulkatcho First Nation

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

Page 7

The Executive Task Force

The Executive meet bi-monthly and provide leadership to the Task Force staff and action items. They consist of Ron Mitchell (Moricetown Band), Judy Sandford (Health Canada) and Helen Michelle (CSFS Board, Skin Tyee). They undertake the working groups Leadership and Political Action as well as Education and Awareness whenever necessary.

NORTHERN BC ABORIGINAL HIV/ AIDS TASK FORCE

Carrier Sekani Family Services - Host Agency 987 4th Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3H7 Phone: (250) 562-3591 Ext. 215 Fax: (250) 562-2272 Editor: Emma Palmantier and Colette Plasway E-mail: [email protected]

The Task Force Staff

Helen has great people skills and able to liaise with health offices to send their community members to Task Force events. She helps the Task Force to arrange for Task Force events. She keeps track of various mediums of stories written about the Task Force and any significant HIV/AIDS events in the community. Colette Plasway, Program Coordinator/Assistant Helen Roberts, Administrative Assistant Helen Roberts has been married to her husband Ken for over 18 years. Ken is Tsimshian and a member of the Lax Kwalaams Band. They have three children, with two still at home. Her background includes being a Teachers Assistant for three years, and a marketing administrator for two years. Colette is from the Bear Clan and belongs to the Lake Babine Nation. She has completed her third year for her Business Commerce degree at the University of Northern B.C. She has worked in various jobs the most significant was 5 years at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, Ontario and 12 years in various Aboriginal organizations. She has previously been the Aboriginal Program Coordinator for Northern Health and managed the grants and proposals for the Aboriginal Health Initiative Program and Community Programs. Her main role at the Task Force is to assist with managing the budgets, planning programs and writing the correspondence for the programs.

Task Force Meetings Quarterly

Prince George, BC Sep 17-18 09. The meeting coincided with Positive Living Norths AIDS Walk in Prince George. The Task Force reviewed the Youth & Chiefs Forum as well as prepare for the upcoming Community Readiness project. Kitselas Reserve, BC May 28-29 09. The Executive met with the media to promote the Task Force. A big thank you to Chief Glenn Bennett and his staff at the Gitselaus House of Learning. Prince George, BC Feb 12-13 09. It was a good meeting where the Working Groups were revisited and reorganized. Prince George, BC ov 18-19 08. The I-Track preliminary report and MAC/AIDS Van reports were reviewed. Prince George, BC ov 17 08. The Task Force held a one-day planning session which was facilitated by Jim Morrison. The 2009/2010 work plan was developed and the working groups were reorganized. Doig River, BC Jun 24-25 09. The Chair welcomed both the Program Coordinator/Assistant and the Youth Project Coordinator to the Task Force. The Youth Learning Pod project as well as the Youth and Chiefs Forum was revisited. Warm thank you to former chief Norman Davis and the traditional singers for welcoming our event in their territory.