HIV+ Aboriginal women speak of experience and strength in a Northern context.

Aboriginal women living with HIV in the North have a unique perspective regarding helpful and useful services as well as painful experience concerning gaps in services. This research examines the responses of eight Aboriginal women in this regard and, additionally, invites them to identify life factors, which have been particular sources of strength. Using an open interview method via snowball sampling, the women were asked about services they found most helpful, resources that they thought were missing and to identify personal strengths contributing to their optimism and survival. A systematic thematic analysis of the interviews resulted in five major themes: support, resources, identity, northern obstacles and strengths. The analysis also illuminated the reality that the women feel very supported and cared for by existing services that have proven to be incredibly valuable to their everyday lives. Follow up recommendations include: maintaining and increasing crucial services, continuing to lobby for increased funding, adding courses specific to HIV and AIDS to schools of social work curriculum and highlighting the realities of living with HIV and AIDS in a northern context. --P. 2.