In solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and in support of Reconciliation, the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO) celebrates June as National Indigenous Month and June 21 as National Indigenous Day. Our office will be closed on June 21 to mark this day.
Indigenous people in Ontario are 1.7 times more likely to be living with HIV than non-Indigenous people. While there are a number of factors that contribute to incidence of HIV, the key determinant remains colonization and its continuing social and health impacts. Moving towards Reconciliation is an opportunity to work with Indigenous communities to, amongst other things, ensure that Indigenous people with HIV in Ontario have access to the best available legal services, care, treatment and support.
We acknowledge that the land we work on has been the home to Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to be here as guests.
HALCO is fully committed to listening to and working with Indigenous communities on the journey to Reconciliation.