SCO Calls for Urgent Action on Manitoba’s HIV Public Health Emergency
Press Release
“First Nations-led approaches are essential to any meaningful response. Our citizens must have access to patient-centered, trauma-informed care that supports their holistic wellness. This includes harm reduction supplies, mental wellness supports, and traditional and culturally appropriate care.”
–Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is calling for immediate, coordinated, and sustained action following the formal recognition of Manitoba’s human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) crisis as a public health emergency.
The data shows that urgent action is needed. A Healthier Manitoba for All: 2025 Health Status of Manitobans Report shows the highest rates of HIV are among people aged 30 to 39, followed by those aged 20 to 29. Indigenous people in Manitoba continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV. In 2023, injection drug use was the largest driver of HIV transmission in the province. Communities are witnessing the devastating impacts of this crisis on families, youth, and citizens who are struggling to access timely and culturally safe care.
“This public health emergency did not happen by accident,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “This crisis has been driven by systemic barriers to care, inequitable funding for First Nations health services, anti-First Nations racism in health care, stigma, and the ongoing impacts of colonialism.”
SCO is calling on the Government of Canada to immediately reinstate and increase funding that supports harm reduction, mental wellness, and frontline programming. Recent decisions to sunset funding for these supports will further place people at risk at a time when Manitoba is facing a public health emergency.
Harm reduction workers, mental health workers, and frontline health care providers are doing crucial work that must continue. First Nations citizens across the full spectrum of their health journey need supports, including prevention, testing, treatment, and access to harm reduction supplies.
“First Nations-led approaches are essential to any meaningful response,” continued Grand Chief Daniels. “Our citizens must have access to patient-centered, trauma-informed care that supports their holistic wellness. This includes harm reduction supplies, mental wellness supports, and traditional and culturally appropriate care.”
In March, SCO hosted an HIV panel discussion for health directors, recognizing the seriousness of rising HIV rates and the need to connect directly with Nations. SCO continues to hear from Nations about the barriers they face in supporting citizens, including the gaps in resources, access to care, stigma, and need for stronger coordination across systems.
SCO is also calling for a strong First Nations voice on Manitoba’s HIV Response Steering Committee to ensure that the response to this emergency is impactful and creates positive change for Anishinaabe and Dakota citizens who are living with HIV.
SCO is ready to work with the provincial and federal governments to make a change in the health care system. The Chiefs-in-Summit have mandated SCO to transform health systems for First Nations citizens. SCO is committed to advancing First Nations-led solutions that prioritize prevention, treatment, harm reduction, mental wellness, and culturally grounded care.
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 33 First Nations and more than 92,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
For media inquiries:
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca
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