We are very pleased to announce that Mikiki is the recipient of our 2018 Kreppner Award, which was presented at our Annual General Meeting on October 23, 2018.
The late James Kreppner, who died in 2009, was a great and true friend to HALCO and to those living with HIV or Hepatitis C. An original member of HALCO’s board, James continued serving until his death. James was courageous and strong in his belief that the wrongs suffered by people living with HIV and Hepatitis C were not to be tolerated. Despite the great cost to his health, he fought hard for compensation and justice for persons infected through the blood supply and for persons denied organ transplants. James was a local, national and international leader, and he was always a willing ear, a source of advice, and a helping hand to those who needed him. For more about James, please see our HALCO news Fall 2009 newsletter. In recognition of James’ innumerable contributions, HALCO established the Kreppner Awards in 2010. Presented at HALCO’s annual general meeting, the awards recognize the efforts of people who have made significant contributions in advocacy for and support of people with HIV or people with HIV and Hepatitis C in Ontario, Canada.
Described by nominators as a “tireless community builder” who plays so many roles for so many people, Mikiki is a committed activist, advocate, organizer and artist whose broad range of work and volunteer activity includes social justice and issues related to:
- HIV, including stigma and criminalization
- queer and trans health
- gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men
- policing of sex work.
Mikiki’s nomination was enthusiastically and overwhelmingly endorsed in the numerous letters of support that we received. Mikiki’s activism across a breadth of areas includes multiple projects with a particular emphasis on ensuring social justice for Indigenous, racialized, queer and trans people, all the while applying an incredible amount of creativity and dedication. Prioritizing those most at risk, Mikiki tackles the big subjects facing people living with HIV, including stigma, isolation, death and grieving, blame, othering, and what it means to be alive in the world today. One supporter said “I simply can’t imagine what the response to HIV, especially in Toronto, would be like without them.”
We warmly congratulate Mikiki, who is truly and deeply deserving of this honour.