Recently, HIV.gov spoke with Harold Phillips, Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy and Rick Haverkate, National HIV/HCV Consultant, Indian Health Service (IHS), about the upcoming release of an indigenous version of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). This is a timely issue as November is National Native American Heritage Month. WatchExit Disclaimer the video to hear them discuss the Indigenous HIV/AIDS Strategy, or the “Indigi-HAS” and what it means in relation to the NHAS. 

Mr. Haverkate explained that IHS realized that for indigenous people to really respond to and use the NHAS they needed to create a document that examined issues such as sovereignty, land use, cultural norms, and community leadership. He further explained that IHS worked with every part of Indian Country to create an indigenized version of the NHAS.

Mr. Phillips asked if the Indigi-HAS was intended to replace or complement the NHAS, and Mr. Haverkate clarified that the new indigenous plan was intended to complement the existing Strategy. The Indigi-HAS has kept all the goals and objectives from the NHAS but has added additional very specific pieces important to indigenous communities. Mr. Haverkate let Mr. Phillips know that next steps for the Indigi-HAS, which will be released by World AIDS Day on December 1^st, are focused on ensuring that indigenous communities are aware of the Indigi-HAS and how it can be used in their communities.

To learn more about the Indigi-HAS, watch our latest discussion with Mr. Phillips and Mr. Haverkate. We also encourage you to visit IHS’ HIV/AIDS webpage, learn more about National Native American Heritage Month on the Federal Government’s webpage, and subscribe to the HIV.gov blog.