Women living with HIV use many services to support and to improve their health and wellbeing. The purpose of this study was to understand the perspectives of women living with HIV on the availability, value, and meaning of women-centred HIV care services. The research explored the narratives of what contributes to the health needs of Indigenous women living with HIV through a Photovoice project. This research aims to examine strength-based factors, through the use of Photovoice, that contribute to positive health outcomes for Indigenous women living HIV in Treaty 4 & 6 Territories. 
 
The Saskatchewan CHIOWS team performed a Photovoice methodology in May 2018. The discussion that was drawn from this study states that when exploring health status, the most crucial points the participants expressed included learning and accepting their status, as well as taking care of themselves through self-care and self-love. Medical care, support, and education were also fundamental to how the women felt about their health status. The participants believed that Western medicine was not the only important aspect of medical care, but that cultural support systems were also essential to their wellbeing. Cultural support systems aided in their spiritual, emotional, and mental health when dealing with HIV. The living experiences shared by the women told a story of hope and transformation, which helped them heal from stigmas and negativity that surrounds people who are living with HIV.

About the Authors

​Dr. Carrie Bourassa (BA, MA, PhD) Professor, Community Health & Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan.  She also is Scientific Director, Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health – Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR-IIPH).  She is an adjunct in the Faculties of Education and Kinesiology & Health Studies at the University of Regina and the Nominated Principal Investigator for the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) funded Morning Star Lodge established in 2010, and also for recently CFI-funded Cultural Safety, Evaluation, Training and Research lab built in 2020, hosted at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Bourassa is a member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada and a public member of the Royal College Council of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She is a member of the International Research Advisory Board (IRAB) for the Health Research Council (New Zealand) and a member of the Health Quality Council Board of Saskatchewan. She was appointed to the National Research Council of Canada Advisory Board (NRC) – Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre Advisory Board in May 2018. Dr. Bourassa is Métis and belongs to the Riel Métis Council of Regina Inc. (RMCR, Local #34).

​Miranda Keewatin Miranda holds a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work from the University of Regina and focused her studies on Indigenous spirituality, philosophies, ideology, knowledge, and methodologies. Miranda is a Cree woman from Peepeekisis Cree Nation and a Research Assistant at the Morning Star Lodge working within the Treaty Four communities in Saskatchewan. Miranda’s research interest is to meaningfully contribute to the Indigenization of the current Canadian healthcare system with leadership and guidance from the community utilizing OCAP principles. As an Indigenous woman, she is dedicated and passionate about working alongside community members, and on projects that benefit the health outcomes of Indigenous communities.

Jen Billan (BA, MSc) is a Research Assistant at Morning Star Lodge. Jen’s Master of Science degree explored the intersection of identity and health with Indigenous grandmothers who are caring for their grandchildren. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus in Women's and Gender Studies and Indigenous Studies. As an ally, Jen is dedicated to working and volunteering with Indigenous communities on projects that benefit the health outcomes of Indigenous communities.​

Elder Betty McKenna is from the Anishnaabae Nation, Shoal River Band in Manitoba and is the Elder in Residence, First Nations and Métis Education at the Regina Public School Board, and a professor at the First Nations University of Canada as well as the Guiding Elder for RESOLVE (Research and Education to End Violence and Abuse) in Saskatchewan. She also provides leadership to many research projects concerned with culturally safe care for Indigenous people and families. Elder Betty is co-author of several peer-reviewed publications and sits on two graduate committees at the University of Regina.

Meghan Chapados is a settler born and raised on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin
Anishinaabe Nation. She holds a Master of Science in Global Health from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from the University of Ottawa. Throughout her undergraduate degree, Meghan was involved in translational cancer research in Dr. Rebecca Auer’s Lab at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, where she investigated the role of immunogenic cell death markers in the context of improving the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. As a Research Assistant at Morning Star Lodge, she works to promote Indigenous community-based health research through the development and production of culturally safe and relevant research projects. Meghan’s goal is to pursue a career in health and research, where she can continue to build upon existing knowledge and skills, practice cultural safety, and strive towards health equity.

Mikayla Hagel (BHS) is a Research Assistant for the Morning Star Lodge. Her educational background includes Indigenous health research and the natural sciences.  Mikayla's research interest is to meaningfully contribute to the Indigenization of the current Canadian healthcare system with leadership and guidance from the community utilizing OCAP principles. As an Indigenous ally, she is dedicated and passionate about working alongside community members.

Marlin Legare  (B. Sci.) works as a research assistant who aids in the development and production of research projects at The Morning Star Lodge. He is also a Citizen of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan. Marlin was raised in the Northeast area of Saskatchewan in a rural community called Mistatim. He is excited to be working with the Morning Star Lodge studying health sciences, as he is someone who has seen firsthand the positive and negative health outcomes for Indigenous individuals in rural communities.

Heather O’Watch is a Nakota and Plains Cree woman from the Okanese First Nation located in Treaty 4Territory, she also has paternal ties to Cegakin (Carry The Kettle) First Nation. Heather also has a diploma in Indigenous Communication Arts (INCA). Heather has a concentrated focus on media, however has vast experience in community research and community development. Her community research experiences include; Water Governance and Policy, Aging Health and Dementia research amongst Indigenous people, and Sexual Reproduction Health Rights amongst Indigenous women in Canada. Heather has work experience internationally in Colombia working in youth and rural community development. While Heather was in her undergraduate, she was an advocate for Indigenous rights and post-secondary education. She previously was the 1st First Nations woman to be elected amongst the executive at the University of Regina Students’ Union and was also associated with the First Nation University of Canada’s Students Association as a past member and president. Along with her advocacy work she was the provincial representative on the national executive for the Canadian Federation of Students. Heather hopes to continue her higher education as well as work to provide and support Indigenous communities through research and policy.

Sebastien Lefebvre is a settler ally from Sudbury, ON, on Robinson-Huron Treaty Territory. Prior to joining the Morning Star Lodge, he received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Biology from Laurentian University. He joined Dr. Bourassa's Morning Star Lodge initially as a research assistant performing data analysis, but expanding his role to provide support in mentoring, and the development of research methods and projects. Sebastien has now returned to his Northern Ontario roots, continuing the important work in Indigenous community health at Laurentian University for Dr. Jennifer Walker.