VISION
Aboriginal communities characterized by fewer new HIV infections and by a readiness to address prevention, accessible testing, treatment, and support.
MISSION
Guided by the voice of Aboriginal people, Renewing Our Response is a champion for BC Aboriginal communities’ response to HIV/AIDS by promoting and advising on policy, emerging issues, and strategic directions.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- Aboriginal ownership, control, access and possession.
- Culturally safe practices.
- Our relationship to community is defined by the “4 Rs”: Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity and Responsibility.
- Be cognizant of the determinants of health in all actions undertaken.
- Coming together in partnership to speak with a unified voice.
- Recognize cultural differences and regional disparities.
GOALS
- Identify the top priorities from the Renewing Our Response recommendations in which an integrated plan would have the greatest impact;
- Build on Aboriginal HIV/AIDS organizations’ (AASOs) skills and strengths and create an environment of cooperation;
- Develop collaborative proposals within a comprehensive framework;
- Identify, engage and support partners and key stakeholders, including funders, in the planning and implementation processes;
- Assert our role as experts in regards to establishing funding priorities in relation to HIV, AIDS and Aboriginal people;
- Demand increased, sustained funding for HIV/AIDS programs and services for Aboriginal communities;
- Support on-going planning by developing short, medium and long term objectives as part of a continued action plan to re-evaluate and address the Renewing Our Response recommendations;
- Speak with a unified voice to promote and lobby for policy development and changes at all levels in support of HIV/AIDS services for Aboriginal people;
- Employ and promote evidence-based and best practice approaches;
- Take direction from community members and Aboriginal people living with HIV/AIDS; and
- Support and promote culturally-safe practices in all HIV/AIDS services and with all stakeholders.
Background
The Renewing Our Response (RoR) Forum was held in March 2005 and brought together Aboriginal people living with HIV/AIDS (APHAs), Aboriginal AIDS Service Organizations (AASOs), non-Aboriginal AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs), and government representatives.
Since the forum, the Aboriginal AIDS Service Organizations (AASOs) in the province – the Renewing Our Response Leaders Team—have been meeting regularly to plan how best to move the forum recommendations forward. The Provincial Health Services Authority has provided support in facilitating this process.
The Renewing Our Response Leaders Team is paying particular attention to an important concern raised at the Renewing Our Response Forum. Participants were concerned that Aboriginal HIV/AIDS services have been planned and funded in a piecemeal manner. This means that there is not consistency between on- and off- reserve populations or across regions. The RoR Leaders recognize the importance of all stakeholders working on HIV/AIDS in Aboriginal communities planning and designing programs in a coordinated, collaborative, and comprehensive manner.
The RoR Leaders Team has worked to condense the 24 forum recommendations to the following overarching recommendations:
- Increase coordination between funding agencies and work to address jurisdictional barriers that hinder HIV/AIDS services;
- Increase funding and supports for Aboriginal program development and service delivery;
- Create culturally appropriate HIV/AIDS strategies and policies for Aboriginal people and evaluate past strategies;
- Build capacity and collaboration between stakeholders;
- Support innovative resource development;
- Empower APHAs to develop peer support, education, and training, and self advocacy skills;
- Work to build capacity in community and build support with research agencies to conduct culturally appropriate research on prevention, surveillance, treatment, and care in Aboriginal communities.