MANDATE
Evaluate the awareness of local Aboriginal people towards the HIV/AIDS virus and provide them with the tools that will promote prevention using a holistic approach; interactive on-site meetings with local communities will be held with consideration for the culture and values of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

OBJECTIVES
• Increase the level of awareness that the local Aboriginal population has about the available resources and services that directly or indirectly address the HIV/AIDS issue.
• Increase the level of knowledge that the Aboriginal population of Val-d’Or has about HIV/AIDS and the high-risk behaviour associated with it.
• Increase the number of Aboriginal people in Val-d’Or who will develop winning strategies to maintain or introduce healthy life habits against HIV/AIDS.
• Implement crime prevention approaches.

ACTIVITIES
• Promote this program among the targeted clientele.
• Participate in the “Pikatemps” project.
• Create a directory of available resources and a documentation centre.
• Hold awareness activities on HIV/AIDS: publish a pamphlet, hold workshops, have a special awareness day.

TARGETED CLIENTELE
Urban Aborignal people living in Val-d’Or.

FUNDING
Funded by Public Health Agency of Canada.

BACKGROUND
Since 2001, along with other partners from Val-d’Or, the Friendship Centre has been involved in promoting preventive actions against the HIV/AIDS virus, because it was well aware of the needs of urban Aborignals regarding the AIDS issue.  The HIV/AIDS project should allow to serve a hard-to-reach clientele, who seldom uses the services that are offered to the general public.

SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES
We work with people to help them increase their knowledge and adopt winning strategies for their health.  Requests for care and direct intervention will be referred to other services.