Grant: Doctoral Research Award: HIV/AIDS CBR - Aboriginal Stream

In Canada, Aboriginal people continue to be overrepresented in the HIV/AIDS epidemic with rates of infection three times higher than the general population. In Labrador, the need for an HIV/AIDS prevention program was identified by Labrador HIV/AIDS Surveillance Study. Arts-based approaches (such as music, storytelling and photography) have been recognized as innovative and promising strategies for HIV/AIDS education with Aboriginal youth. However, there is a lack of research exploring how these interventions work, as well as how they are implemented and experienced by both the participants and implementers. Working in collaboration with the Labrador Friendship Centre HIV Project, we will develop, implement and evaluate an arts-based program for the youth they serve to evaluate the effectiveness and experience of participating in an arts-based program. A community-based participatory action research design incorporating Indigenous methodologies will be implemented. This HIV/AIDS education program will be guided by a Steering Committee, comprised of stakeholders including community leaders, elders and youth targeted by this program. Tools to assess the effectiveness and value of the program will be created in consultation with the Steering Committee. Interviews will be conducted with key informants. The findings of this research project will have a direct and immediate impact on HIV/AIDS education in Labrador and will inform future arts-based HIV/AIDS education initiatives.