Grant: Doctoral Research Award - PA: Aboriginal Research Methodologies

Aboriginal youth in Canada are disproportionally affected by HIV. This is due to unique determinants of health such as assimilation, the legacies of residential schools, and social, political and economic isolation. Although Indigenous youth in Canada are diverse in terms of culture, language, social and geographical location, current HIV data does not disaggregate by Nation. As a result, we lack a specific profile of data on Métis Communities. In order to respond to the HIV/AIDs epidemic, creativity is needed to respectfully engage all of our Peoples, and adopting a pan-Aboriginal approach may obscure important cultural differences. This proposed research will be nested in the national Sexy Health Carnival (SHC). The SHC is a series of interactive booths and fun educational games that were created by and for Aboriginal youth. Thus, this research will examine how best to address the HIV epidemic among Metis youth in Canada through a strengths-based cultural approach, and adapting the SHC into a Metis context.