Program

What's New in HIV and Treatment?

Sat 9:00-10:30
Nelson
This presentation will provide an overview of the most up to date information on HIV medications, new drugs, side effects of new drugs and information from recent clinical trials.
Dr Marianne Harris is Clinical Research Advisor, AIDS Research Program, Centre for Excellence. Paul Kerston is Positive Living BC's Treatment Outreach Coordinator.

Sharing Our Stories

Sat 9:00-10:30
Denman
The purpose of this workshop is to develop awareness among HIV positive individuals of the value in sharing personal histories of living with Brad McGuigan.
Brad is a long term volunteer at Positive Living BC. He has been part of the Retreat Team and currently does "speaks" for the Health Promotion Department.

Be Broken to be Whole: Overcoming the Myth of Empowerment

Sat 9:00-10:30
Comox
Empowerment is often misconstrued with power, but its definition is conferred power from outside. Through interactive discussion and activities, this workshop explores the how we can create the possibility of being powerful in our lives.
Michael Yoder has been involved in AIDS work since 1987 and has been living with HIV since 1984. Michael is currently self-employed as a workshop designer/facilitator.

Tai Chi

Sat 9:00-10:30
Barkley
The practice of Tai Chi can effectively improve the health of body, mind and spirit. This presentation will introduce the practice and benefits of Tai Chi
Richard Partridge is a long term survivor and has used Tai Chi to thrive over the years.

Wellness Sampler

Sat 9:00-10:30
Gilford
Come and experience a variety of complementary therapies designed to improve overall well-being: Reiki, Thai yoga massage, acupuncture, nutrition advice and more.
Jen MacPherson is Treatment, Health and wellness Coordinator at Positive Living BC. Rebekka Valian is a yoga teacher and healing arts practitioner. She has lived with HIV for 20 years.

Smoke and Mirrors

Sat 10:45-12:15
Nelson
This workshop will present the facts about smoking and its effect on HIV. It will provide practical advice and strategies to successfully quit.
Joanne Swartz is a Social Worker at IDC Clinic at St Paul's with a special interest in smoking cessation. Shelly Tognazzini is a HIV+ Peer Navigator.

Social Media: Networking, Blogging, campaigning and Having Fun

Sat 10:45-12:15
Denman
This workshop will give you insider tips o social media that everyone can use. We'll learn why Twitter is valuable, how to blog, what sites to look out for and using social media as part of an advocacy campaign.
Denise Becker is a regular contributor to Living Positive Magazine, a past member of the Positive Living BC Board and a blogger for PositiveLite.

Knowing My Parents Have HIV

Sat 10:45-12:15
Comox
This workshop will explore the pros and cons of one family's lived experience sharing the knowledge of their HIV status with their three teenage daughters. HIV+ parents and three sisters share their stories of how knowing of their parents' HIV-positive status has impacted their lives.
Shannon and Brian C and their three daughters have lived a shared experience of HIV

Research Priorities for Positive People: A Primer and Participatory Discussion

Sat 10:45-12:15
Barkley
Short presentations on how HIV-related research occurs in Canada, then a facilitated discussion on what questions and topics HIV+ people would like to see researched.
Warren Michelow is an epidemiologist at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and a PHD candidate in epidemiology at UBC School of Population and Public Health. Terry Howard is the HIV/AIDS Community Based Research Facilitator for BC

Front Line Warriors: Fighting Back

Sat 10:45-12:15
Gilford
Positive Prevention Front Line Warriors is a group of people living with HIV from Prince George involved in becoming educators in HIV prevention work. This workshop will share the group's philosophy and encourage others to share their experiences.
Clifton R., Marilyn R. and Stephanie R. are Front Line Warriors at Positive Living North. Shannon Froelich is Positive Prevention Coordinator

Epidemiology 101: A lay person's guide to understanding biomedical research

Sat 1:15-2:45
Nelson
A non-technical introduction to key epidemiological concepts with a focus on making sense of HIV-related biomedical research and clinical trials, and interpreting study results.
Warren Michelow is an epidemiologist at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and a PHD candidate in epidemiology at UBC School of Population and Public Health.

Positive Leadership Development Institute: A Pathway to Empowerment

Sat 1:15-2:45
Denman
Come see how PLDI training can give you tools to grow in your personal leadership skills, and hear the stories of graduates who have benefited from this training!"
Dakota Descoteaux is a graduate of the PLDI program. He has served on this year's Positive gathering Planning committee

It is Time for Hetero-Positive People to be Empowered

Sat 1:15-2:45
Comox
This workshop will explore the marginalization and isolation of heterosexual people living with HIV. Topics include stigma, marginalization, disclosure, issues related to romantic relationships, and other experiences of being positive.
Tim Bartsch was diagnosed HIV-positive in 1996. He had immense difficulty feeling marginalized and chose to forgo medical care, whereupon in 2009 HIV caught up with him, and he nearly died from AIDS. He survived and met the love of his life, Azulant Akora. They have been engaged for two years.

Empowerment Through Knowledge

Sat 1:15-2:45
Barkley
A CATIE sponsored workshop to report back on highlights from the OHTN 2011 Conference held in November.
Paul Kerston is Treatment and Community representation and Engagement Coordinator at Positive Living BC

Gay Men and Intimate Partner Violence

Sat 1:15-2:45
Gilford
This presentation will provide insight about men's perceptions of resilience, masculine identities, gender relations, and coping strategies for overcoming adversities that accompany intimate partner violence.
Terry Howard is the HIV/AIDS Community Based Research Facilitator for BC

HIV Neutral: Healing the Viral Divide Between Positive and Negative Guys

Sat 3:00-4:30
Nelson
This workshop is a call for amnesty amongst men who love/lust men. By 'detoxing' from internalized homophobia and HIV/AIDS stigma support ourselves to reclaim a healthier sense of community.
Birch Stevens is Wellness Coordinator at AVI and a professor at U VIC researching gay men's health. Marc Stevens is Birch's husband and co-founder of Southern Gulf Islands AIDS Society

Empower(mo)ment

Sat 3:00-4:30
Denman
Spend a moment to have some fun; share your 5 minutes or less stories (& a few hugs) to celebrate and reinforce that HIV/AIDS and empowerment belong together.
Mark Kokocki lives (with HIV) by the motto: dropdeadhappy. He has been an advocate for empowerment for 25 years as personal trainer, shiatsu practitioner, peer counsellor and coach.

Positive Women's Circle

Sat 3:00-4:30
Comox
Join in a culturally respectful sharing circle inclusive of all positive women from all stages of the HIV/AIDS continuum. A completely safe place to connect, share stories, feel the support of our community and celebrate our lives.
Margarite Sanchez, Advocate, Activist, Artist is Co-Founder of SGIAS and VIVA: two grassroots HIV+ peer support networks.HIV+Women Only

Healing Arts-Photography "Drawing With Light"

Sat 3:00-4:30
Barkley
This session will explore photographic composition which will allow you to create images that are compelling and tell your story.
John Bishop is Vice-chair, Positive Living BC and owner of johnbishopimages.com

Yoga Class

Sat 3:00-4:30
Gilford
Take a break and join in a yoga class suitable for all led by Rebekka Valien
Rebekka Valian is a yoga teacher and healing arts practitioner. She has lived with HIV for 20 years.

HIV and the Law: Duty to Disclose

Sun 9:00-10:30
Nelson
Do you know your obligations under the law regarding disclosing your HIV+ status? Do you think it's okay to not disclose your status if you are having safe sex? Are you aware of the consequences of non-disclosure? This workshop will review recent court cases related to these matters.
Micheal Vonn is the Policy Director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association. Michael has an extensive background in legal and ethical issues relating to HIV and AIDS and has served in a variety of key roles at the community level. Ken is Chair Positive Living BC.

Refugees, Immigrants and HIV

Sun 9:00-10:30
Denman
This workshop will discuss the challenges faced by refugees and immigrants to Canada who are living with HIV and will explore strategies to settle successfully.
The Afro-Canadian Positive Network provides support and networking opportunities to immigrants and refugees living with HIV in Canada.

Act Two: It's Not Just About the Money

Sun 9:00-10:30
Comox
Plan your retirement! Create a vision of your second act. Learn the components of creating a healthy, happy and fulfilling life now and in the future. Learn about financial programs that you can rely on.
Suzan Krieger has been an Advocate at Positive Living BC for 15 years. Carol Romanow is a former director at the Vancouver Downtown Eastside Consumers Board. John Cameron is one of the heart beats behind the Consumer Board at the Washington Hotel.

Forgiveness

Sun 9:00-10:30
Barkley
This workshop will focus on the topic of forgiveness as it relates to being HIV+. The workshop process involves exercises in writing, discussion and movement
Shelly Tognazzini, B.A. Dance, Peer Navigator, Positive Living Society of BC

Wellness Sampler

Sun 9:00-10:30
Gilford
Come and experience a variety of complementary therapies designed to improve overall well-being: Reiki, Thai yoga massage, acupuncture, nutrition advice and more.
Jen MacPherson is Treatment, Health and wellness Coordinator at Positive Living BC. Rebekka Valian is a yoga teacher and healing arts practitioner. She has lived with HIV for 20 years.

How Do I Get What I Want from Sex?

Sun 10:45-12:15
Nelson
This workshop focuses on learning and sharing how to enhance and incorporate sexuality into our lives by identifying goals and constructively moving towards them.
Paul Harris has worked for many years serving the gay community as a registered nurse and sexual health educator. Dakota has been active in the HIV community and is on the Planning Committee of this year's Gathering. HIV+ Gay Men and MSM Only

Going Back to School

Sun 10:45-12:15
Denman
Three HIV+ people will share their stories about returning to school followed by a group discussion on overcoming challenges and finding resources.
Shannon Carlisle has been active in the HIV community in the Fraser Valley and has successfully returned to school.

Women's Voices: Paragraphs of Passion

Sun 10:45-12:15
Comox
This writing workshop is designed to help women uncover their passions. Women will be encouraged to write a "paragraph of passion." From this paragraph, participants will be encouraged to create a presentation which could be used as an educational tool to share with others.
Jackie Haywood, a published author and creative writing instructor, is Director of Support Services at Positive Living BC. Suzan Krieger is an Advocate at Positive Living BC. Richard is a writer of humour and Support Services Coordinator, Positive Living BC.

From Bad to Worse: Developments in eHealth, ICM and law

Sun 10:45-12:15
Barkley
Since the last Gathering important developments have occurred in eHealth. What does it mean for you? What you can do to protect your personal information?
Ken Buchanan is Chair of the Board, and Ross Harvey is Executive Director, Positive Living BC

Peer-heading the mobilization of knowledge through Community-based Research (CBR)

Sun 10:45-12:15
Gilford
This workshop will outline current practice in HIV/AIDS CBR in BC and facilitate discussion on the potential benefits of the greater and meaningful involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS in community-based research.
Hesham Ali and Valerie Nicholson are peer researchers engaged in Community Based Research.