Hobbema holding AIDS-awareness convention

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Making people aware AIDS could wipe out their entire community is the goal of a conference to be held in Hobbema next month.

"This is the first time an AIDS prevention and awareness convention has been held on a Canadian Indian reserve and hosted by Indian people," says Wilson Okeymaw, executive director of Hobbema's Nayo-Skan Human Resources treatment centre, one of the event's organizers.

AIDS, an always fatal disease, is passed to people on the reserve by those who have been to the city and have experimented with drugs, he says. "They stand a good chance of acquiring the HIV virus, bringing it home and passing it on to other non-suspecting individuals."

Since the virus can be in incubation for as long as 10 years, it's capable of wiping out an entire community unless residents are tuned in to preventing the spread of the disease.

The April 24-25 conference will feature guest speakers who have had firsthand experience with AIDS. "The mother of Ken Ward, The Enoch Indian man who has the (HIV) virus, will share what she and her family have been through and people from an Edmonton place of refuge, where AIDS patients can go to die a peaceful death, are just two of the excellent speakers we have coming to address participants," Okeymaw says.

Bernard Ominayak, well-known Indian leader and crusader for the rights of Alberta's Lubicon Lake Nation, will discuss "cherish what is left," the theme of the conference, in terms of AIDS prevention, says Okeymaw. Canadian broadcaster Austin Willis will also attend.

Organizers of the two-day event have invited local elders to participate and the entire community has indicated support of the project. "We have calls everyday from people throughout Alberta. There are literally busloads of observers planning on attending," says Okeymaw.

The chiefs and councils of the four nations at Hobbema have expressed their support, too. Two representatives from each band are on the planning committee, he says.

There is no cost to attend the conference and free breakfasts and lunches will be available. "It is important people are able to come and be alerted to the prevention of AIDS," says Okeymaw.

On a lighter note "entertainment galore" will run alongside the conference sessions at the Panee Agriplex. " A mini tipi village, fashion show, kids' coloring contest, door prizes and dances are among the many fun activities also planned," says Okeymaw.