Positive Living North: No khe̅yoh t’sih’en t’sehena Society (PLN) has been a solid and reputable not-for-profit community-based HIV/AIDS/HCV service organization since its incorporation in 1992.
We are an Aboriginal AIDS Service Organization (ASO) that has a proven record of innovation, responsiveness, and commitment to all Northern residents. In response to the scope of the HIV epidemic in our community, we continue to provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS/HCV (PHAs), and address the greater need for prevention and education services.
With approximately 90% of our members being of Aboriginal ancestry, we strive to provide our services in a culturally-appropriate manner to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, and to that end legally became an Aboriginal organization in 2003. Although we identify as an Aboriginal organization, our service delivery is not confined to that specific population. We provide programming and services to anyone who is living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV/AIDS/HCV, regardless of race creed, gender, or sexual orientation. As an Aboriginal organization, we provide services through an Aboriginal lens and our service delivery approach resembles the holistic concept of the medicine wheel.
Since 2003, Positive Living North has added to our solid foundation through increased Aboriginal-specific programming and through being involved with local, regional, provincial and national strategies which are directly linked to the root causes of the HIV/AIDS/HCV epidemics.
As we grew into our identity as an Aboriginal organization, in 2003 we developed a small, fledgling program called the Fire Pit Cultural Drop-In Centre. The Fire Pit is a street-level HIV/AIDS/HCV prevention and support program grounded in the philosophy that culture and healing are critical components in reducing the risk for HIV/HCV, and a primary mechanism for effectively supporting those infected.
Through a funding arrangement between PHAC’s ACAP division and the Northern Health Authority, PLN began the remote management of the previous Positive Living Northwest (PLNW) operations in Smithers in October 2008. Also, in 2013, PLN was able to hire an Outreach HIV/AIDS Educator for the Northeast region of BC. This educator, located in Dawson Creek and housed within the Nawican Friendship Centre, has expanded the geographical scope of the educational services offered by PLN. Overall, PLN provides services to over two-thirds of the Northern Health Authority region.