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About us
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The Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy was created by a steering committee composed of government representatives, researchers, community representatives and people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
The goal of the strategy is to provide culturally respectful and sensitive programs and strategies to respond to the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic among Aboriginal Peoples in Ontario, through promotion, prevention, long-term care, treatment and support initiatives consistent with harm reduction principles. The strategy is a provincially mandated AIDS service organization that provides outreach and support services, through regional outreach workers, to off-reserve Aboriginal Peoples who are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
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Established in 1995Since 1995, the Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy has consistently evolved to respond to the changing epidemic within the Aboriginal population of Ontario. While we may share common issues and factors related to the disease with the mainstream, Indigenous differences in history, worldview, methods, approach, culture and tradition must be respected.
Oahas is an important partner and resource to the AIDS service sector and other agencies currently or wishing to serve Indigenous, 2-Spirit and Indigenous People living with HIV/AIDS (IPHA) individuals. |
GIPA and MEPAThe Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GIPA) was formally recognized at the 1994 Paris AIDS Summit. Oahas has moved beyond a seat with no voice. We operate so as to ensure voice and active engagement on our board, hired staff, and throughout the steps involved within program development, implementation & evaluation. This is the Meaningful Engagement of APHA's (MEPA). |
The Ontario Accord
“We, people living with HIV/AIDS and allies in the community":
Because GIPA/MIPA is about human struggles and aspirations, ethics, empowerment and accountability are its foundation.”
We acknowledge that Greater involvement of people with HIV/AIDS (GIPA) is never achieved once and for all; it is a goal and commitment that must be continually renewed. GIPA is a practice, not a project, and is similar to all other accountabilities of healthy HIV organizing and service delivery. Our practices in AIDS service organizations (ASOs) must be continually re-evaluated in light of the changing realities of HIV/AIDS and of those living with it.
Within the North American context, GIPA principles have often been considered as only applying to persons living with HIV/AIDS. We affirm that GIPA concerns all who live with, work in, and are affected by, HIV/AIDS. Another way of stating this is that GIPA engages people with HIV/AIDS and their allies in a culture of inclusivity intended to foster an expanding and inclusive approach that embraces HIV Positive individuals in all their diversity and circumstances and includes those affected by HIV/AIDS and all allies. In naming this accord, “The Ontario Accord” we acknowledge the foundational work that continues to inspire us and have continued the precedent of naming our work after its geographic birthplace. We invite citizens of the world to join us in our efforts and organizations globally to affirm their support of the Ontario Accord.
- Commit to the greater involvement and meaningful engagement of people living with HIV/AIDS (GIPA/MIPA); GIPA/MIPA puts PHAs at the centre and is grounded in human rights and the dignity of the full human being
- Aim to transform all who live with, work in, and are affected by, HIV/AIDS in Ontario
- Commit to personal and social transformation
- Value community expertise in embracing the challenge for the betterment of society
- Value inclusion over exclusion, a quest for integrity at all times and the embodiment of self-determination
- Promote the evolution of thought, action and collaboration among us and with our allies
Because GIPA/MIPA is about human struggles and aspirations, ethics, empowerment and accountability are its foundation.”
We acknowledge that Greater involvement of people with HIV/AIDS (GIPA) is never achieved once and for all; it is a goal and commitment that must be continually renewed. GIPA is a practice, not a project, and is similar to all other accountabilities of healthy HIV organizing and service delivery. Our practices in AIDS service organizations (ASOs) must be continually re-evaluated in light of the changing realities of HIV/AIDS and of those living with it.
Within the North American context, GIPA principles have often been considered as only applying to persons living with HIV/AIDS. We affirm that GIPA concerns all who live with, work in, and are affected by, HIV/AIDS. Another way of stating this is that GIPA engages people with HIV/AIDS and their allies in a culture of inclusivity intended to foster an expanding and inclusive approach that embraces HIV Positive individuals in all their diversity and circumstances and includes those affected by HIV/AIDS and all allies. In naming this accord, “The Ontario Accord” we acknowledge the foundational work that continues to inspire us and have continued the precedent of naming our work after its geographic birthplace. We invite citizens of the world to join us in our efforts and organizations globally to affirm their support of the Ontario Accord.
