The International Indigenous Working Group on HIV & AIDS (IIWGHA) exists to build a unified voice for Indigenous peoples in collective action against HIV and AIDS.
Early collective action to unify the international Native voice began during the International AIDS Conference (IAC) in Montreal, Canada in 1989. The initial leadership was provided by the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC) in the United States, and by Te Roopu Tautoko Trust in New Zealand. The first International Indigenous AIDS Conference was hosted in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1991 by Te Roopu Tautoko Trust. The following year, an informal, ad-hoc meeting of Indigenous peoples from different countries met during the 8th International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, Holland in 1992. In 1993, they met again at the annual International AIDS Conference in Berlin, Germany. The Indigenous people who gathered at the early meetings listed above were considered an ad hoc group, although they were determined to meet at every International AIDS Conference.
That commitment led to the formalization of the International Indigenous Working Group on HIV & AIDS in 2010.Formal meetings have continued to take place, and recent action includes:
2005: Formation of the International Indigenous Peoples Satellite Planning Committee
2006: Renamed the International Indigenous HIV/AIDS Secretariat (IIHAS); participated in the Indigenous Satellite at International AIDS Conference in Toronto, Canada; and created the Toronto Charter: Indigenous Peoples’ Action Plan on HIV/AIDS.
2008: Held the Pre-conference of Indigenous and Afro-Descendent People at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, Mexico
2009: Canadian government funds Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) to host the IIWGHA and support IIWGHA activities formally.
2010: Formalized new name (International Indigenous Working Group on HIV & AIDS; created first draft of strategic plan; hosted the Indigenous Satellite at International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria; met with Canada Minister of Health regarding work of IIWGHA
2011: Completed IIWGHA strategic plan and terms of reference; engaged International AIDS Society to ensure Native inclusivity at international level; planning began for the Indigenous Pre-conference at the International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC, United States in 2012.
2012: Canadian government reissues financial support for CAAN to host IIWGHA and conduct IIWGHA activities
IIWGHA is now made up of representatives from Australia, New Zealand, Guatemala, Chile, Mexico, United States of America, Canada, Bolivia, and Brazil.
IIWGHA has committed to hosting an international gathering of Indigenous peoples during the activities of the International AIDS Conference every two years. This centralized event allows for a central meeting time and location, and helps to facilitate increased visibility of the collective action and needs of Indigenous peoples and those organizations working with Indigenous people and HIV.
Early collective action to unify the international Native voice began during the International AIDS Conference (IAC) in Montreal, Canada in 1989. The initial leadership was provided by the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC) in the United States, and by Te Roopu Tautoko Trust in New Zealand. The first International Indigenous AIDS Conference was hosted in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1991 by Te Roopu Tautoko Trust. The following year, an informal, ad-hoc meeting of Indigenous peoples from different countries met during the 8th International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, Holland in 1992. In 1993, they met again at the annual International AIDS Conference in Berlin, Germany. The Indigenous people who gathered at the early meetings listed above were considered an ad hoc group, although they were determined to meet at every International AIDS Conference.
That commitment led to the formalization of the International Indigenous Working Group on HIV & AIDS in 2010.Formal meetings have continued to take place, and recent action includes:
2005: Formation of the International Indigenous Peoples Satellite Planning Committee
2006: Renamed the International Indigenous HIV/AIDS Secretariat (IIHAS); participated in the Indigenous Satellite at International AIDS Conference in Toronto, Canada; and created the Toronto Charter: Indigenous Peoples’ Action Plan on HIV/AIDS.
2008: Held the Pre-conference of Indigenous and Afro-Descendent People at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, Mexico
2009: Canadian government funds Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) to host the IIWGHA and support IIWGHA activities formally.
2010: Formalized new name (International Indigenous Working Group on HIV & AIDS; created first draft of strategic plan; hosted the Indigenous Satellite at International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria; met with Canada Minister of Health regarding work of IIWGHA
2011: Completed IIWGHA strategic plan and terms of reference; engaged International AIDS Society to ensure Native inclusivity at international level; planning began for the Indigenous Pre-conference at the International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC, United States in 2012.
2012: Canadian government reissues financial support for CAAN to host IIWGHA and conduct IIWGHA activities
IIWGHA is now made up of representatives from Australia, New Zealand, Guatemala, Chile, Mexico, United States of America, Canada, Bolivia, and Brazil.
IIWGHA has committed to hosting an international gathering of Indigenous peoples during the activities of the International AIDS Conference every two years. This centralized event allows for a central meeting time and location, and helps to facilitate increased visibility of the collective action and needs of Indigenous peoples and those organizations working with Indigenous people and HIV.
