The Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy (Oahas) was founded by the late Laverne Monette in 1995. Since then, Oahas has consistently evolved to respond to the changing HIV epidemic experienced by Indigenous peoples and communities in Ontario. While Indigenous peoples and communities may share common experiences, challenges and factors related to HIV with non-Indigenous communities and organizations, our differences related to Indigenous histories, worldviews, approaches, cultures and traditions must be understood, acknowledged and respected. Oahas is an important partner and resource to the AIDS service organization (ASO) sector, and other agencies currently supporting, or wishing to support, Indigenous peoples and communities in accessing education resources and increased access to testing related to sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs), such as HIV and Hepatitis C.

Oahas operates based on the principles of Greater Involvement of People living with HIV/AIDS (GIPA), Meaningful Engagement of People living with HIV/AIDS (MEPA), Indigenous harm reduction, and respect for our cultural knowledge and teachings. These foundational principles guide all aspects of our relationships and work, and support our community prevention workers in providing culturally safe and trauma informed approaches related to prevention, education, outreach, testing and treatment supports and services for Indigenous peoples living in Ontario. From this perspective, Oahas is working towards achieving our vision of supporting healthy thriving Indigenous communities through ending the transmission of HIV and other STBBIs in our communities