Natives Gather in Los Angeles to Mark National HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

WHAT: National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Event and Wellness Fair

WHEN: Thursday, March 20, 2008, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII)
1125 W. 6th Street, Suite 103
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(Parking is available in the structure located off of 5th Street and Bixel)

WHY: HIV/AIDS is a growing problem among Native Americans and Alaska Natives, who rank third behind blacks and Latinos – with rates 40% higher than among whites – in rates of HIV/AIDS diagnosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High rates of sexually transmitted disease (STD), coupled with the highest rates of substance abuse of all ethnicities and poverty rates at twice the national average, make the challenges associated with risk for HIV infection a daily reality in too many Native lives.

CURRENTLY SCHEDULED PROGRAM

11:30 – 11:35 a.m. Opening Blessing by Ben Hale (Navajo), American Indian Healing Center

11:35 – 11:45 a.m. Los Angeles County Proclamation by Ron Andrade, Los Angeles City/County American Indian Community

11:45 – 11:55 a.m. City of Los Angeles Proclamation by Steven Simon, City of Los Angeles AIDS Coordinator

11:55 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. HIV/AIDS Update by Joseph Leahy, Tibotec Therapeutics (Sponsor of Event)

12:15 – 12:30 p.m. Living with HIV/AIDS by Mark Parra (Navajo)

12:30 – 12:40 p.m. Honor Song for those lost to HIV/AIDS by UAII Drum Group Concrete Circle

WHO: Hosted by the Red Circle Project (RCP) at AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), which is the only HIV prevention program in Los Angeles County that specifically targets Native American populations. Through support group sessions, social marketing campaigns, and training and certification of peer health educators, RCP mobilizes vibrant groups of Native American/Alaskan Natives to develop educational materials about their lives, to counter social isolation and facilitate outreach to the community. Participants are recruited at trainings, pow wows, retreats and substance abuse treatment groups. In 2008, RCP has expanded its focus on men who have sex with men to include women at sexual risk, injecting drug users and transgender populations at risk for HIV across Los Angeles.

CONTACT: Justin Burke C: 323.333.0669 E: jburke@apla.org

AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), one of the largest non-profit AIDS service organizations in the United States, provides bilingual direct services, prevention education and leadership on HIV/AIDS-related policy and legislation. Marking 25 years of service in 2008, APLA is a community-based, volunteer-supported organization with local, national and global reach. For more information, visit www.apla.org.