currently, eaton and the u of r are consulting with elders and knowledge keepers in first nations and métis communities to better understand how crgt could be adapted in a way that resonates with indigenous cultural practices.
“people living with hiv in saskatchewan have been identifying that, while there is an hiv crisis here, sometimes there’s a big focus on prevention and testing while there isn’t really a focus on care, greater quality of life or better longevity,” explained eaton.
through his work with aids programs south saskatchewan (apss), eaton said people were expressing a need for more peer support programs, specifically involving cognitive impairment.
“a lot of the people living with hiv that i work with at apss are first nations and métis,” he added “whenever you’re designing a therapeutic or psychological approach, it’s incredibly important that the approach and the way you evaluate it is done in a culturally sensitive manner, especially when working with groups that have faced a lot of marginalization or discrimination.”
shiny mary varghese, the executive director of apss,
says about 80 per cent of the people who use their services are indigenous.
“it is definitely needed because the people are facing a lot of health issues as well as social and psychological issues, so they need to have some support, especially if it is culturally appropriate,” said varghese.