Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Background: In Canada, Aboriginal people are 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 the Labrador HIV/AIDS Surveillance Study. Arts-based approaches are recognized as innovative and promising strategies for HIV/AIDS education with Aboriginal youth. However, there is a lack of research exploring how these initiatives work, are implemented and experienced by both the participants and implementers. Methods: A community-based research approach was adopted and, in collaboration with the HIV/AIDS Labrador project, a participatory film-making and HIV/AIDS education workshop was developed, implemented and evaluated with Aboriginal youth in the community. Results: 11 youth and 5 Elders representing the diverse groups of Aboriginal people in Labrador attended a 3.5 day film-making workshop hosted as part of a CBR project examining the use of arts in HIV/AIDS education and prevention. Participatory film-making was used to engage youth and to create dialogue about HIV/AIDS, sexual health and health in general. Youth and Elders created 4 films arising from their discussions. These films were debuted at a community film-screening event. Youth and Elders were interviewed about their experiences making films and working together. Using content analysis, interview transcripts and films were analyzed for themes. Conclusion: Preliminary analysis shows that participatory film-making allowed for a comfortable environment for youth and Elders to talk about sexual health and HIV/AIDS prevention. Both youth and Elders viewed the workshop as an enjoyable and educational experience that facilitated dialogue and mutual learning across generations.