CAAN Communities, Alliances & Networks

12/18/2025

Sunday, December 21, 2025, marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. This is a deeply spiritual, ceremonial, and communal time.

It marks the moment when the sun begins its journey back, and days slowly grow longer. This is a time of renewal, and a reminder that light returns even after darkness.
This is a time when we offer gratitude prayers for the bounty we have harvested during the year, and the teachings we have received.

If you would like to make an offering, please let me know, and I can take it to the ceremony for you.

The Solstice Ceremony is being held on Sunday, December 21, @ ANH Sacred Space, 2817 12th Ave, Regina, SK. 10:00 a.m. A feast and giveaway will follow. If you are local and want to attend, everyone is welcome.

Have a wonderful day,

12/16/2025

Welcome to CAAN, Communities, Alliances & Networks. Supporting Indigenous communities through research, education, and advocacy. Explore our programs, resources, and membership opportunities.

12/12/2025

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/11/news/first-nations-healthcare-hiv-canada-access

We’re proud to see CAAN’s Indigenous Leadership Policy Manager, Trevor Stratton, featured in National Observer speaking about the barriers Indigenous peoples face in accessing HIV care in Canada. Trevor shares lived experiences and highlights how racism, misunderstanding, and systemic bias continue to block equitable access to prevention, treatment, and culturally safe care for Indigenous communities.

His voice reminds us that meaningful change requires community-led solutions, greater access to culturally relevant care, and sustained national advocacy. Thank you, Trevor, for your ongoing leadership and for bringing these critical issues into the national conversation.

Read the full article and join us in working toward a more equitable future.

Canada’s new HIV guidelines aim to expand access but overlook realities of Indigenous communities facing disproportionate rates and different transmission patterns.

12/11/2025

CAAN and the Dr. Peter Centre invite you to our next Canoe Project virtual Community of Practice session: Holiday Blues from an Indigenous Perspective, happening December 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM PT / 2:00 PM ET.
This free, Indigenous-led, trauma-informed harm reduction session is part of The Canoe, a national initiative focused on culturally grounded, non-stigmatizing harm reduction practices for Indigenous communities.
We are honoured to have Elder Susan Powell (Lakota) facilitate this gathering. With 45 years of experience as a Holistic Health Educator, she has supported communities across Canada through Medicine Circles, workshops, and culturally informed teachings.
The Dr. Peter Centre continues to provide compassionate care for the “sidelined 2%”—Canadians living with overlapping challenges such as HIV, mental health concerns, substance use, and homelessness.
Register here:
https://drpeter-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tEgdTy0VReqnkOOmM6odNg #/registration

12/10/2025

Are you interested in understanding more about gender-based inequity and gender-based violence?
Would you like to bring wise practices for safe and healing spaces into your community?
CAAN invites you to bring the Honouring Our Spirits training to your community. This two-day, in-person Train-the-Trainer Workshop offers an Indigenous cultural approach to building understanding, connection, and community-based solutions.
Rooted in Indigenous storytelling, this training reminds us that all beings carry gifts essential to the whole. Guided by the Tree Framework, we honour continuous growth, always able to return to our roots for nourishment, connection, and learning.
🔗 Structured in six interconnected sections, each section balances knowledge, practice, and spirit:
1.
Building Connections – Creating safe, respectful spaces
2.
History – Exploring traditional teachings and colonial impacts
3.
Terminology – Reclaiming Indigenous understandings of gender and equity
4.
Gender-Based Violence – Identifying and addressing all forms of violence
5.
Restorative Justice – Culturally grounded healing and accountability
6.
Staying Connected – Building relationships based on respect and understanding
All together, these teachings remind us that when relationships are grounded in respect, equality, and love, communities thrive.
Learn more and connect with us here: https://www.caan.ca/honouring-our-spirits-gender-base-violence-framework-project/

12/10/2025

CAAN is honoured to be recognized in the British Columbia Legislature in acknowledgment of Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week and World AIDS Day. This video highlights the importance of Indigenous-led responses to HIV, the strength of our communities, and the ongoing work to address stigma, improve access to care, and support those living with or affected by HIV.
We are grateful to everyone who helped bring this recognition forward, and to all partners, leaders, and community members across BC who continue to advocate for culturally safe, community-driven approaches to HIV prevention, care, and wellness.
Thank you for standing with us and for ensuring Indigenous voices remain at the forefront of this work.

12/10/2025

CAAN is Grateful to recognize Tsawout First Nation in BC as one of our Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week stipend recipients. On December 1, they hosted a deeply meaningful World AIDS Day gathering that brought the community together through a walk of awareness, a shared meal, Daphne’s Story, health presentations, CAAN’s “Empowering Indigenous Communities” session, and an inspirational drum and dance performance.
Tsawout’s event highlighted the ongoing need for culturally safe HIV prevention, care, and advocacy, while honouring those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Their leadership strengthens community wellness, reduces stigma, and ensures Indigenous voices guide health initiatives.
Thank you to everyone in Tsawout who organized and participated. We are honoured to support your work during IAAW 2025.

12/08/2025

All events have concluded for CAAN during IAAW 2025, CAAN extends our deepest thanks to everyone who made this week so meaningful. From Ottawa to Winnipeg—and across the many communities and territories where our partners held events—we are grateful for every person, organization, and helper who contributed their time, knowledge, and heart.
To all the participants who shared their lived experience: thank you. Your stories, teachings, and leadership are the foundation of this work. Without you, CAAN could not exist. Because of you, we are able to continue moving forward, advocating for Indigenous-led approaches to HIV prevention, care, harm reduction, and wellness.
We also honour our partners across the country who created space for culture, learning, ceremony, and support throughout the week. Your commitment strengthens communities and helps build a healthier and more equitable future.
Thank you for walking this path with us. We look forward to continuing this work together—and we’ll see you next year!

12/04/2025

Day 4 of CAAN’s Indigenous-led Health & HIV Summit in Winnipeg is underway, and the strength of this gathering continues to grow. Each morning, we begin in a good way with ceremony led by CAAN’s Knowledge Keepers, grounding the space in cultural safety, respect, and connection.
The Willow Warrior Drum Group has guided us with powerful songs, and throughout the Summit we’ve heard stories and lived experience shared with honesty and courage. These voices continue to shape the conversations and guide the work we are doing together.
We remain grateful for every participant, every teaching, and every moment of community that is helping move this work forward.

12/03/2025

As (Dec. 1–7) continues, CAAN offers our heartfelt thanks to all the partners, communities, knowledge keepers, advocates, and organizations involved in lifting up Indigenous voices and leading this important work.
IAAW is a time to honour the strength of Indigenous communities and to recognize the ongoing efforts to improve access to HIV testing, prevention, care, and treatment. Your commitment to culturally grounded services, stigma reduction, and community wellness makes a real difference across the country.
Thank you to everyone who is hosting events, sharing knowledge, creating safe spaces, and supporting Indigenous-led approaches to HIV. Your work ensures that more people can know their status, receive the care they deserve, and feel supported in their wellness journey.

Indigenous AIDS Awareness Day/Week CAAN continues to support World AIDS Day on December 1st of each year and launches a week-long national public awareness campaign across the land called Indigenous AIDS Awareness Day/Week (IAAD/W). This national campaign is guided by a steering committee that consi...

12/03/2025

Day three of CAAN’s Indigenous-led Health & HIV Summit in Winnipeg is underway, and the momentum remains strong. The conversations, teachings, and connections continue to deepen as we work together toward Indigenous-led approaches to HIV prevention, care, harm reduction, and wellness.
We’re also grateful to have Trevor Stratton join us after flying in directly from Ottawa, moving from one gathering to another to ensure Indigenous communities are represented at every table. His commitment reflects the dedication of so many working to advance this important work across the country.
More updates to come as the Summit continues.

12/03/2025

HIV 101 Webinar Postponed
Please note that our HIV 101 session scheduled for Wednesday, December 3rd has been postponed.
A new date will be announced soon.
If you’ve already registered, you do not need to re-register. Your registration will automatically carry over, and the updated Zoom link will be shared once the new date is confirmed.
Thank you for your understanding, and please stay tuned for updates.
— CAAN