CAAN Mandate and Mission
The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) is a not-for-profit coalition of individuals and organizations which provides leadership, support and advocacy for Aboriginal people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, regardless of where they reside.

CAAN Philosophy
The philosophy of this agency is that all Aboriginal people deserve the right to protect ourselves against infectious disease. Education and prevention is focused on empowerment as Aboriginal people are encouraged to learn about the risks of HIV/AIDS and protect ourselves accordingly. To provide Aboriginal people with accurate and up-to-date information about the nature of the disease, the risks of contracting it, and the issues of care/treatment and support for those infected is the challenge that CAAN employees and directors face each day of their involvement with the agency.

Goals and Objectives Of CAAN
The goals and objectives of the agency are:

1. To provide accurate and up-to-date information about the prevalence of HIV in the Aboriginal community and the various modes of transmission.

2. To offer leaders, advocates and individuals in the AIDS movement a chance to share their issues on a national level by building skills, education/awareness campaigns, and acting in support of harm reduction techniques.

3. To facilitate the creation and development of regional Aboriginal AIDS service agencies through leadership, advocacy and support.

4. To design material which are aboriginal specific for education and awareness at a national level, and to lessen resource costs of underfunded, regional agencies by distributing and making available these materials wherever possible.

5. To advocate on behalf of Aboriginal people living with HIV/AIDS (APHA's) by giving them forums in which to share their issues and to facilitate the development of healing and wholeness strategies among the infected Aboriginal population.

6) To build partnerships with Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal agencies which address the issues of Aboriginal people across jurisdictions, thereby improving the conditions in which Aboriginal people in Canada live through a continuous and focused effort.

Spirit and Vision Of CAAN
CAAN is a national Aboriginal organization and as such is committed to addressing the issues of HIV within a Native context. Although the beliefs of Aboriginal people vary widely from region to region and from person to person, the agency has made a commitment to conduct its activities in a spirit of Native wholeness and healing. This disease can only be overcome by respecting our differences and accentuating our unity of spirit and strength.

© Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network
6520 Salish Drive,
Vancouver BC, V6N 2C7
Ph: (604)266-7616
Fax: (604)266-7612
Toll Free: 1.888.285.2226