Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Background: This paper explores the ways that (a) Indigenous youth involved in an HIV intervention take-up and reclaim their cultures as a project of defining self and (b) Indigenous culture can be used as a tool for resistance, HIV prevention and health promotion. Methods: Data for this paper was drawn from the Taking Action Project: Using Arts-Based Approaches to Develop Aboriginal Youth Leadership in HIV Prevention. By youth, for youth workshops were facilitated in six Indigenous communities across Canada that incorporated traditional and contemporary art forms. Over 100 youth participated, 70 partook in individual interviews post-workshop to reflect on their experiences. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using NVivo software and collective discussions. Results: For many youth, being Aboriginal was much more than blood quantum, appearance or status cards. It related to the importance that culture played in identity formation. Culture was a complex construct that included reconnecting to land, body, history, family, community, language, tradition, and ceremony. Youth understood art as not only a medium for self-expression, but an important site of cultural evolution. They spoke excitedly of their attempts to reclaim their languages and cultures despite barriers presented by family members, community, and colonial education systems. Participating in cultural activities was seen as important for intergenerational healing; empowerment; staying healthy; and combatting ills like HIV and substance use. Discussion: Our research process and findings show that the incorporation of culture, community, history and tradition is important for effective HIV prevention with Indigenous youth. Reclaiming indigenous cultures, stories, languages, and ceremonies helps to nurture the hearts and minds of future generations. Reclaiming these aspects of culture washes away cycles of victimization. It combats hopelessness by reconnecting youth