The Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada (A.N.A.C.) and Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada (P.P.F.C.) are pleased to present Finding Our Way: A Sexual and Reproductive Health Sourcebook for Aboriginal Communities. This Sourcebook was developed and produced by P.P.F.C. and A.N.A.C. and funded by The EJLB Foundation.

The Sourcebook grew out of concerns about the sexual and reproductive health of Aboriginal people raised at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, Egypt, in 1994. In response, A.N.A.C. held a national Roundtable on Sexual and Reproductive Health, which identified many key issues including the overall need for culturally appropriate information and resources. Similarly, P.P.F.C. saw a need for a resource to assist sexuality educators and reproductive health services in better serving Aboriginal clients.

We see this Sourcebook as a resource for people working in the area of Aboriginal sexual and reproductive health. The Sourcebook offers an overview of many issues, provides key information and examples of tools, and also suggests other Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal materials and organizations where users can continue their search for more information.

We invite you to use the Sourcebook, adapt it, add to it and give us your feedback!

This Sourcebook was greatly enriched through the guidance of an Advisory Circle and the feedback and suggestions of eight pilot coordinators who used a draft version of the Sourcebook during 2001.

Sourcebook Advisory Circle Members:
Tracey Cimellaro, Board Member 2001-2002, Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada
Lyse Cote Bolanos, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada
Veronica Dewar and Reepa Evic-Carleton, Pauktuutit Inuit Women’s Association
Elaine Endanawas, Aboriginal Women’s Support Centre (Ottawa)
Cliff Gladue, Métis National Council (until March 2001)
Roda Gray, Inuit Tapirisat of Canada
Margaret Horn and Judy Jacob, National Indian and Inuit Community Health Representatives Organization
Elaine Johnston, Assembly of First Nations
Jamie Lewis, Youth Representative, Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada
Jina Rodas and Valerie Pilgrim, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
Janet Smylie, Family Medicine and Obstetrics (Ottawa)
Kim Thomas, Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network

Pilot Site Coordinators:
Julie Borle, Métis Child and Family Services Society, Edmonton, Alberta
Willow Boulanger and John La-liberty, Positive Adolescent Sexuality Support (PASS) Project, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Katsi Cook, Iewirokwas Midwifery Program, Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne, Québec, Ontario and New York
Ursula Johnson, Youth Program, MicMac Friendship Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Barb McWatters and Kim McKay, Planned Parenthood Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan
Duane Morrisseau and the Métis National Youth Advisory Council, Métis National Council, Ottawa, Ontario
Tamma Seime, Sexual Wellness Program, Prince Albert Grand Council, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Lerinda Swain, Aboriginal Health Program, B.C. Women’s Hospital and Health Services, Vancouver, British Columbia

During the pilot testing phase of the project, eight very different Aboriginal programs used the Sourcebook in a variety of ways. You’ll see some of their ideas and advice as you read through Part 1 and the units in Part 2.

• The Aboriginal Health Program at B.C. Women’s Hospital and Health Services, a province-wide program based in Vancouver, British Columbia, used the Sourcebook in its community reproductive health workshops with women, in a workshop on healthy sexuality with youth and adults, and as professional education for its staff and other Aboriginal health care providers.
  
  
• Métis Child and Family Services Society in Edmonton, Alberta, used units on child sexual abuse, educating children and youth about sexuality, youth, family violence and others with individual clients and in group settings.
  
  
• The Sexual Wellness Program at Prince Albert Grand Council, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, used the Sourcebook to broaden its approaches to sexual health, to build inter-agency connections and interest in sexual health issues, and to support community initiatives and health care staff.
  
  
• Planned Parenthood Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan, used the Sourcebook as a basis for community consultations and inter-agency meetings with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organizations, both in the city and in outreach to neighbouring communities.
  
  
• The Positive Adolescent Sexuality Support (PASS) Project at the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, used units such as parenting, teen pregnancy, youth sexuality and sexual health, and two-spirit people and sexual diversity to add content to workshops and presentations both within the program and in the community.
  
  
• The Métis National Youth Advisory Council at the Métis National Council (representing youth throughout the Métis Homeland), reviewed Part 1 and the youth sexuality and sexual health unit of the Sourcebook to explore Métis-specific needs and gaps related to sexual health information.
  
  
• The Iewirokwas Midwifery Program, Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne in Québec, Ontario and New York, reviewed the units on women’s and men’s sexual health, residential schools and birthing, and used the information in its family support and healing work.
  
  
• The Youth Program at the MicMac Friendship Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, used the Sourcebook to stimulate discussion on youth sexuality issues and cultural approaches, and are planning a theatre or video project on the issues that arose.

Unfortunately, plans to include two Inuit communities in the pilot testing of the Sourcebook fell through. However, an Inuit writer from Iqaluit, Nunavut, thoroughly reviewed the Sourcebook and has provided some additional Inuit content.

Credits

Inside photos courtesy of the photo archives of Health Canada

Métis photo on cover courtesy of Clem Chartier

Thanks to all the organizations which gave permission to use their materials in the Sourcebook.