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Conversations

Feast Centre Conversations Series

The Feast Centre Conversations Series brings together Indigenous and allied speakers in dynamic online conversations offering expert and lived perspectives on topics central to research through the Feast Centre network. Panelists of these conversations are key voices, researchers and advocates for the Indigenous HIV movement and STBBI community based research, who are actively working to support Indigenous people living with STBBI into the future. Conversations bring together community leaders, activists, researchers and and Elders who are working to make positive change for future generations.

Revisiting "Know Your Status"

On March 1st, 2024, the Feast Centre hosted a virtual discussion revisiting the impactful Know Your Status (KYS) program in on-reserve First Nations communities in Saskatchewan. The panel highlighted community-led initiatives' efforts in addressing STBBI testing response, treatment, and support, crucial in the face of high HIV rates in the province. Speakers emphasized KYS's role in supporting at-risk individuals and those living with HIV and Hepatitis C, discussing program evolution, challenges, successes, and alignment with UNAIDS 90-90-90 Targets to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Elder/moderator: Albert McLeod

Panelists: Darren Skibinsky, Dr. Ibrahim Khan, Jacqueline Flett, Martin Morberg, Lane Bonertz

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Understanding Monkeypox in Indigenous Communities

On September 29, 2022, Feast Centre for Indigenous STBBI Research held a virtual conversation on monkeypox in Indigenous communities with infectious disease specialists and community leaders from across the country. Our speakers will debunk myths about monkeypox, give current information about transmission and discuss how monkeypox is a concern for Indigenous peoples and all of us living in Canada. While it is known that monkeypox disproportionately effects certain communities in Canada - including two-spirit, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, trans communities and those involved in sex work – the three panelists will discuss how monkeypox is a concern for all of us living in Canada.

 

Panelist:Dr. Darrell Tan, Albert Beck, and Dr. John Schellenberg

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Reflecting on the Papal Visit; Sexual Health, Gender Identity and Reparations

Recorded on January 31, 2023, this online Conversation explores the impact of the seven Euro-Christian churches that imposed Western values on Indigenous peoples through the Indian residential and day school era. The recent visit of Pope Francis to Canada to respond to the harms and crimes perpetrated by the Roman Catholic Church against Indigenous children and their families will be the focus of this panel's conversation. The re-emergence of Indigenous values, teachings, and life philosophy will be discussed with regard to 2Spirit/Indigenous LGBTQ people, gender-based violence, feminism, matriarchy, midwifery, gender identity, sexual health research, and reparations.

 Panellists: Elder Marjorie Beaucage, Elder Albert McLeod and Kimberly Fairman 

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Hepatitis C in Indigenous Communities: Hearing the Full Story

On April 12, 2023, the Feast Centre hosted a conversation in which speakers explored the rich topic of Hepatitis C in Indigenous communities.

Moderator: Renee Masching (Former Principle Knowledge User)

Panelist: Dr. Marina Klein,Kokum Gayle Pruden, and Kacheena Naytowhow

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Conversations on Gender Part 1 and Part 2

As a research organization dedicated to Indigenous STBBI research, gender is a concept we want to explore through our human experiences, the stories of our Elders and Knowledge holders, and traditional teachings. Through our conversation series, we seek to draw out and enrich gender discourse through the unique Indigenous perspectives, knowledges and experiences of our speakers. We recognize this is a topic demanding ongoing conversation.

Speakers: Elder Albert McLeod, Elder Sheila Nyman, Doris Peltier and Catherine Booker 

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The HIV pandemic and Indigenous Peoples

Elder Albert McLeod speaks on the HIV pandemic and Indigenous peoples. 

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A History of Indigenous HIV/AIDS in Canada: A Retrospective with ChangeMakers

As part of Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week on Dec 7, 2022, the Feast Centre for Indigenous STBBI Research will host a dynamic online conversation with ChangeMakers on The History of Indigenous HIV/AIDS in Canada: A Retrospective.

Panellists of the conversation are key voices and advocates for the Indigenous HIV movement who are actively working to support Indigenous people living with HIV/AIDS into the future. This conversation brings together community leaders, activists and elders to discuss the history of HIV/AIDS, how this epidemic has historically impacted Indigenous Peoples throughout “Canada”, and how these leaders are working to make change for future generations.

Hosted by Doris Peltier

Panelists: Elder Albert McLeod, Martin Morberg, Richard Jenkins and Kecia Larkin

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