Before 1993, 1.2 per cent of reported AIDS cases in Canada were among Aboriginal Peoples. In 2003, this had increased to 13.4 per cent, despite the fact that Aboriginal Peoples represent only 3.3 per cent of the Canadian population.

The Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy was created by a steering committee composed of government representatives, researchers, community representatives and people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

The goal of the strategy is to provide culturally respectful and sensitive programs and strategies to respond to the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic among Aboriginal Peoples in Ontario, through promotion, prevention, long-term care, treatment and support initiatives consistent with harm reduction principles.

The strategy is a provincially mandated AIDS service organization that provides outreach and support services, through regional outreach workers, to off-reserve Aboriginal Peoples who are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

For more information on the strategy, or to contact stategy outreach workers, send an email to : strategy@2spirits.com.