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

This research will examine how policy (namely the Indian Act, Canada Health Act, Indian Transfer payments, and Constitution Acts 1867 to 1982) impacts funding distribution and the accessibility of HIV/AIDS programs for status First Nations (FN) people within reserves of Ontario. Grounded in Indigenous and Critical Race Theory, this research will utilize a variety of academic and Indigenous research approaches to examine how the aforementioned policies affect funding and resources for HIV/AIDS within FNs. This study will explore the policies and funding arrangements for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Particular attention will be given to the origin of funding/services, how they are utilized, and the specific role each level of government (Federal/Provincial) plays in the delivery of HIV/AIDS services. Furthermore, this research project will seek participants in four FN communities who have received HIV/AIDS services. Participants will complete surveys and take part in Sharing Circles to discuss their ability to access needed services, their experiences with the services, and changes they would suggest. Overall, this research will expose the availability and sufficiency of funding and services within communities while analyzing the policies that have created systemic barriers. The objective is to examine how federal policy impacts the funding and service delivery of HIV/AIDS services (and how those services are perceived by clients and practitioners) and therefore, what processes/actions can be taken by the federal/provincial governments and FN communities to reevaluate current practices of funding and service delivery to improve any inefficiencies' which may be found. This is done in order to offer better services to people and communities that are affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to find ways policy can help in stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS within these communities.