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Premier and Education Minister Eva
Aariak of Nunavut, Canada, announced the launch of a new, culturally
appropriate sexual health curriculum resource, the “Choices” comic book, for
all Nunavut eighth grade classes. “Choices,” which was developed in Nunavut
specifically for Inuit youth, aims to share information and change behaviors
for issues such as healthy relationships, gender identity, sexually transmitted
infections (STIs), and “the effect of alcohol on decision-making.” STI
incidence is “very high” in Nunavut, according to Aariak.
The comic book, which features Inuit
characters, incorporates some Inuktitut idioms and uses familiar northern
settings to present scenarios that present sexual health choices for Inuit
kids. The storylines depict the main characters finding answers to their health
dilemmas and questions at the local health center, on the Kamatsiaqtut
helpline, and through talking with family members about social pressures. The
comic culminates with a series of 14 open-ended questions designed to empower
young Inuit readers to make healthy choices about alcohol, sex, and drugs.
The implementation of “Choices”
followed the Government of Nunavut’s release of the Sexual Health Framework for
Action, for 2012–2017, earlier this year.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
