Indigenous Communities

Overview

Imprisonment. Lack of culturally appropriate access to health services and resulting poor health. Poverty.

Each of these factors increases a person’s risk of contracting HIV — and in Canada, Indigenous people suffer disproportionately from all of them

We’ve collaborated with Indigenous organizations across the country since 2001 to respond to HIV on two fronts:

  • in marginalized populations in which Indigenous people are overrepresented, such as prisoners and drug users, and
  • in Indigenous communities, where discrimination, inadequate funding and inconsistent quality of HIV programs and services all remain problematic.

Learn more:

PublicationsNews

UNDRIP Action Plan – CAAN & the HIV Legal Network

kiskinohtahêw (s/he guides someone) proposing a legal remedies action plan to support and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in alignment with Canadian law This action plan outlines specific measures to ensure that Canada’s laws are consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, based on … Read more

HARD TIME PERSISTS: HEALTHCARE AND HARM REDUCTION FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN PRISON

Indigenous people in Canada have long been subjected to mass incarceration, due to the enduring legacy of colonialism and ongoing racism. In 2023, Indigenous people represented 32% of the federal prison population, while making up just 5% of the total adult population. In fact, the increasing incarceration of Indigenous women has resulted in Indigenous women … Read more

Factum of the Applicants in The Neighbourhood Group Community Services, Katharine Resendes and Jean-Pierre Aubry Forgues v. Ontario

HIV Legal Network Submission (January 2025) – Safer Municipalities Act, 2024 — Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act, 2024

The HIV Legal Network urges the Ontario government to withdraw the Safer Municipalities Act, which will do nothing to address the crisis of homelessness and drug toxicity deaths in the province, and only further harm people who use drugs, particularly those who are unhoused.  

Rapid Q&A on the “Community Care and Recovery Act, 2024”

On November 18, 2024, the Ontario government tabled Bill 223, Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024. While the bill amends several laws, of relevance to drug policy is Schedule 4 of the legislation, titled Community Care and Recovery Act, 2024. This Q&A explains what is entailed in this Act.

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HIV, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections in Canada: Top Election 2021 Issues

Joint press release: HIV, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections in Canada: Top Election 2021 Issues Health and human rights groups identify priorities for federal policymakers as people in Canada head to the polls Tuesday, September 14, 2021 – More than 60,000 people are currently living with HIV in Canada, approximately 13% of … Read more

No “End to AIDS” Without Human Rights: Canada’s Top 5 Issues for World Aids Day 2014

Lawsuit Filed Against Government of Canada for Failing to Protect the Health of Federal Prisoners

HIV and Human Rights in Canada: Top 5 Key Issues for World AIDS Day 2011

Developing World Conditions in Canada Impede Access to HIV/AIDS Care, Treatment and Support

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