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AIDS Walk set for Saturday |
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Written by SCOTT STANFIELD
Citizen staff
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Wednesday, 21 May 2008 |
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PRINCE GEORGE AIRPORTNORTHERN HEALTHPOSITIVE LIVING NORTH
The event is a timely one in terms of addressing what PLN co-executive director Catherine Baylis calls "an epidemic among aboriginal people."
Until 2006, 56 per cent of new HIV infections in the last decade in Prince George were among aboriginal people, according to Northern Health statistics. In 2006, the number jumped to 74 per cent.
"Given the vast geographical area that we deal with in the Northern Health region, I think it's safe to say that there are large areas of remote, isolated communities that are not yet resourced and therefore not yet tested," Baylis said. "If they were fully resourced and fully tested, I think 74 per cent would be an underestimation. I think we have a pretty frightening picture on our hands among aboriginal people."
In addition, a new Canadian Institutes of Health Research study suggests sexually abused aboriginal youth have a greater chance of contracting HIV than those in other sectors of the population. According to the Cedars Project study conducted in Prince George, Vancouver and Kamloops, nearly half of the 605 people interviewed said they had been sexually abused. The average age of first-time sexual abuse was six.
"What we have is an epidemic of trauma," said Baylis, who notes the importance of healing. "We have a huge problem."
She encourages the entire community to attend the event at the Fire Pit at 1120 Third Ave. Registration is at 10 a.m. followed by opening ceremonies at 10:45 a.m. The walk begins at 11 a.m. It will be followed by entertainment from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
PLN provided sensitivity training to representatives from Garda World Security this month at the Ramada, in the wake of an incident at the Prince George Airport that resulted in the resignation of a Garda employee.
"It was one of the most incredible educational experiences I, in my nine years of this work, have witnessed," Baylis said.
A 10-person group from PLN was en route to a conference in Vancouver in March when they were delayed about 40 minutes because a security guard, who was allegedly concerned about "diseases," ordered a wipe-down of the plane. The guard had allegedly recognized someone in the group when he asked for the wipe-down, which upset the members, most of whom are aboriginal.
The sensitivity training session included Garda supervisors and two PLN members who were at the airport.
"It was a fabulous experience," said Baylis, who notes education is key to fostering change in attitudes and assumptions. "It was a good day."
Despite the success of the training session, the PLN members who were on the flight may still decide to file a human rights complaint about the incident.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 May 2008 )
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