Leading an Extraordinary Life: Wise Practices for an HIV ... - 2 Spirits

work better to motivate my peers?” This methodology has support in the literature. In
1998, the Northern Health Research Unit recommended:
A review of international programs and interventions undertaken in different
ethnocultural environments may provide useful insight into developing
interventions for Aboriginal communities in Canada. While the situation of
Aboriginal people with HIV/AIDS in Canada is unique, there are many lessons
that could be learned from interventions in related areas and from the experiences
of indigenous peoples and other ethnocultural communities in other countries. 38
The social marketing agency, Turning Point, states
Social marketing begins and ends with your target audience. In order to understand
why your audience isn’t doing what you want them to do, you must understand what
barriers are getting in their way”. 39
The study methodology was thus designed to place the members of the affected
community (Two-Spirit men) at the centre of every decision.
The focus groups uniformly appreciated the fact that their participation was “not just
another study exercise” by an outsider, but a process designed to lead to action. In
structured evaluation forms completed by each participant at the end of the session, there
was clear evidence that they found the process to be empowering.
2.4 The Focus groups
The Advisory Committee and the consultant organized six focus groups sessions
through Aboriginal ASOs located in Winnipeg (Nine Circles of Health), Vancouver
(Healing Our Spirit), Regina (All Nations Hope), Toronto (2-Spirited People of the 1 st
Nations) and at a pan-Canadian Two-Spirit gathering at CAAN’s 2005 AGM. A total of
46 Two-Spirit men participated in the focus group sessions. Participants signed consent
forms, were assured confidentiality, and were compensated ($20.00) for their time and
generous contributions of hard-earned expertise.
38 Northern Health Research Unit 1998: 18.
39 Turning Point 1998: 4.
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