“We do this together, for each other”
Hello, welcome.
Starting Home Fires is a way to ignite the conversation around HIV transmission, prevention and treatment. As Indigenous people - Elders, relatives, and friends - we all have a role in supporting wellness and challenging stigma around HIV.
Featuring stories inspired by Indigenous people living with HIV, Starting Home Fires offers lessons of supporting loved ones with HIV; and provides information on common misconceptions about the virus, testing, and the importance of HIV medication, with humour and heart.
We invite you to join us by the fire.
Starting Home Fires resources
Eight short films on HIV developed by Indigenous people for Indigenous communities. These films were designed to be shared on social media, and can also be used in community education.
Queen’s Care (Jaylene’s Story)
Intimate Conversations
Tea with Kookum
The Sound of Healing
Family Kitchen
Love After the Words
Care Before and After
Three audio recordings on HIV developed by Indigenous people for Indigenous communities. These audio recordings were designed to be shared on the radio, and can also be used in community education.
HIV Meds are Medicines Too
Tea with Kookum
The Drum
Foundational information about HIV
HIV information for Indigenous communities
CATIE
This website includes accurate information on HIV prevention, transmission, testing and treatment, as well as information on hepatitis C, hepatitis B and syphilis. This knowledge is also shared in Indigenous languages.
HIV Basics
This webpage includes accurate information on HIV prevention, transmission, testing and treatment.
Strong medicine
CAAN | CATIE
This video teaches through the stories of Indigenous people with HIV, who share how they learned to weave Western medicine (HIV prevention and HIV treatment) with cultural teachings.
Let's Talk About Sex poster series
Chee Mamuk
This series of posters shares knowledge on sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
Ask Auntie
Native Women’s Association of Canada
This resource is an invitation for audiences to ask their own questions to be answered by “Auntie.” Questions/answers range from harm reduction to U=U to prison tattoos, encompassing many avenues of HIV prevention, treatment and care.
HIV positive. Living positive.
PHAC
This campaign brings knowledge about Undetectable=Untransmittable and how HIV treatment helps people living with HIV to stay healthy and can prevent HIV from being passed on.
Other HIV resources
A mile in our moccasins
This film explores HIV education and awareness through the lived experiences of Indigenous people.
Wellness is life
Wellness Wheel Clinic
This film looks at health, well-being and healing through the personal stories of Indigenous women in Saskatchewan, including one woman’s experience with HIV.
Myth busting HIV
Saskatoon Tribal Council
Pamphlet addressing five myths about HIV from the Know Your Status website.
2-Spirit Stories Re:Membering Documentary
CAAN
A film of intricately woven stories that offer a sacred glimpse into the transcendent contributions of 2-Spirited Indigenous organizers during the challenging era of the HIV/AIDS crisis on Turtle Island.
HIV and the law
HIV and the criminal law in Canada
CAAN | HIV and AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO) | HIV Legal Network
This booklet for Indigenous communities provides information on the impact of Canadian criminal law on HIV disclosure to sexual partners.
Know your rights – Indigenous communities: HIV, privacy, and confidentiality
CAAN | HIV Legal Network
This booklet answers questions related to HIV, privacy, and confidentiality in different situations, including when accessing healthcare, social and community services and within workplaces.
Know your rights: Indigenous communities and HIV/HCV in federal prisons
CAAN | HIV Legal Network
This booklet answers questions related to HIV and hepatitis C in prison settings and covers HIV and hepatitis C testing, access to healthcare and harm reduction services and experiences with discrimination.