AIDS a menace

Page 26

Tansi and Hello! My name is Helen Young, Health Educator at Cree Nation Tribal Health Centre in The Pas, Manitoba. I am also a member of the Regional AIDS Steering Committee.

The issue of HIV/AIDS in First Nations across the province of Manitoba and in other provinces has now become an important issue which cannot longer be denied or ignored. Remember when it was thought that the disease only affected the white population, mainly the gay society? Times have changed and the reality today is that anyone can become infected or be affected by the disease.

It is true that through the denial process and lack of knowledge, many of the First Nations people have become infected with the virus. We have denied that we as First Nations people will become "statistics" if we ignore education and prevention on this issue.

One individual who was once full of life had an important message for participants at a conference.

"AIDS has robbed me of my youth. It has taken away my chance for a future, and the chance of loving someone and having them love me. I beg you to become informed; to educate yourself about AIDS, what sort of behavior puts you at risk and what behaviors will not.

Five years ago, this young man died at a premature age of 32. The message that he had still holds true today. So it is with the focus on education and prevention that members of the Regional AIDS Steering Committee will be submitting articles to newsletters, magazines, journals, etc. and share their thoughts and message around this issue.

1995 is a year for a new beginnings - a year to make resolutions so that we can all strive for healthier lifestyles. The theme for this month looks at life, protecting ourselves and others. Choose Life, protect yourself and resolve to be safe.

HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS, can be contracted through having unprotected sex with someone who is infected, sharing contaminated needles (to inject drugs),and an infected pregnant mother passing the virus to her unborn child. These are still the three main ways for transmission.

To protect ourselves and others, we need to know preventative measures such as what sort of high risk behaviors increase the chances of being infected, who is at more risk to likely become infected and so on. Talk to your local health care workers, find out what is available and utilize the teaching that is given. For each person that values life and the lives of others will act on the knowledge that is given.

Decrease the chances of being infected by:

- Practicing and living healthier lifestyles,

- Taking control and choosing life by understanding what are high risk behaviors and abstaining from these behaviors,

- Having monogamous relationships,

- Resolving to be safe by practicing safe sex with the use of condoms,

- Spreading knowledge about HIV/AIDS.

Take the time to find out more about HIV/AIDS. If you require further information about any of these issues, contact any of your local health resources.

"The mandate of the Manitoba Regional HIV/AIDS Steering Committee is education and prevention. The committee serves as an advisory group to make recommendations to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs' Health Committee and Medical Services Branch Director of Health Programs on the development and co-ordination of an integrated program to address HIV/AIDS within First Nations of Manitoba.)