Grant: Catalyst Grant - HIV/AIDS and Aboriginal Health

Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) youth are acquiring HIV and AIDS at significantly higher rates than non-Aboriginal youth (PHAC, 2010). In response to this disturbing trend as well as the lack of Aboriginal youth involvement in much of the HIV research, we are proposing a youth-driven catalyst initiative, grounded in community-based research processes, which aims to stimulate Aboriginal youth (those under 30) identified research priorities related to HIV peer education. The goal of this catalyst initiative is to facilitate a leadership role for Aboriginal youth to inform and engage in future research regarding culturally specific HIV education for Aboriginal youth, designed by Aboriginal youth. In the context of two, 3-day research planning workshops, this catalyst grant will support the development of research relationships and future research that explores the HIV educational needs of Aboriginal youth in Canada. In particular, our team will collaborate on the development of a future CIHR CBR HIV/AIDS operating grant proposal to investigate educational and communication strategies that facilitate the implementation of Aboriginal HIV and AIDS youth peer-education tools that are locally relevant and nationally managed.