Participants in a candlelight vigil at the Firepit Cultural Drop-In yesterday     250News photo

Prince George, BC – The names of local residents who lost their lives to HIV/AIDS were read out during a candlelight vigil at the Firepit Cultural Drop-In Centre in downtown Prince George yesterday…

A moment of silence followed.

The ceremony, held in advance of World AIDS Day tomorrow, was hosted by Positive Living North to honour those who have passed and those currently living with the disease.

"Even with advances in treatment and supports in place," says PLN Executive Director, Vanessa West (on right in photo), "People are still facing so many barriers with their health and many pass on."

Tomorrow also marks the start of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week, which focuses on the impact the disease is having on First Nation populations.  West says the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network has set a goal of 'getting to zero' – no new infections, no discrimination, and no AIDS-related deaths.

"It's really just trying to raise that awareness that people can protect themselves, that those currently living with HIV can live long, healthy lives," says West.  "And that we're just trying to enter into a new era of HIV – that's what our goal is."

As part of Positive Living North's Prevention Programs, the Firepit is focused on providing a safe space for those people at greatest risk.  West says the street-level support and messaging is crucial.  She says PLN works closely with the AIDS Prevention Program's needle exchange next door, and the Central Interior Native Health Society down the block to provide a 'community of caring' for those living with, affected by, or at-risk for HIV.