Education debunks myths, fear of HIV

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Elsie Paul regrets that too few of her people listened to the wisdom of the Elders about respecting one's self.

"Respect comes with love, caring and spirituality," she says. "If we respected ourselves, we wouldn't abuse ourselves the way we do."

Part of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton's All Nation HIV-AIDS workshop, Paul tied respect to the devastating effects of HIV and AIDS in the Native community.

"In this day and age where there is a lot of information and education about it,

we still have people scared to touch someone with HIV," she said to 30 workshop participants.. "The more you know about HIV and AIDS the less you will fear it."

The virus, she lectured, is not limited to prostitutes and gay men. She implored participants to avoid ridiculing or stigmatizing people with HIV or AIDS.

"Only those who are ignorant think homosexuals are the only people to get it."

Paul says she began reading up on the retro-virus a few years ago simply because she has five sons and wanted to be prepared in the event one of them became infected.

It was through counselling others she learned just how deep the ignorance and stigma attached to HIV, AIDS and homosexuality runs in the Native community.

"I was counselling a girl who was rejected by her family not because she had HIV, but because she was bisexual," she says. "A lot of people in the Native community are rejecting their own people because they are homosexual or have HIV."

Paul says homosexuals were always a respected part of Native society, and were not ridiculed or outcasts until the teachings of respect were lost in "cultural breakdowns."