Indigenous Sub-Hub

grounded in mindfulness, storytelling, and strengths-based advocacy. Her work in Winnipeg included helping facilitate sharing circles and connecting community members with resources and programs that support people living with HIV.

Early in her journey, Jackie noticed that Indigenous women’s voices were often missing from conversations around HIV care and advocacy. That realization strengthened her determination to ensure that women with lived experience are heard, supported, and empowered.

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​Lived Experience as Leadership
Jackie brings extensive experience in research, activism, and national advocacy to the Indigenous Sub-Hub. One of her previous roles was as National Recruitment Coordinator for the Red Path Project through the Native Women’s Association of Canada, where she connected with incarcerated Indigenous women living with HIV across the country.

Through this work, Jackie helped uplift stories that are too often unheard — stories shaped by stigma, isolation, trauma, and resilience. Her efforts ensured that women living with HIV could see themselves reflected in narratives of strength and possibility, highlighting that living well with HIV is not only possible, but happening every day.
 

Finding Community in the Hub
For Jackie, joining the Women-Centered HIV Care Sub-Hub felt like a natural step. She was drawn to the hub’s commitment to centering women’s voices and experiences, particularly those of Indigenous women and women living with HIV.

Reflecting on her first year, what stands out most is the sense of belonging she has found within the hub. Being surrounded by women with lived experience, research expertise, and leadership across the HIV movement has been both empowering and affirming.

“Being around empowering women with so much knowledge and lived experience makes me feel smart, loved, and respected,” Jackie shares.

Within the hub, lived experience is recognized as expertise, and members actively support one another’s goals and ideas. Jackie describes it as an equal and welcoming space where everyone’s voice matters.

The hub has also opened doors to opportunities—from attending national conferences and expanding her networks to contributing to conversations shaping the future of HIV care. These experiences have strengthened her confidence and her role as an advocate.

Carrying the Torch Forward
Jackie has long been active in community spaces, particularly in Winnipeg, where she helped facilitate sharing circles and advocacy initiatives. Even after relocating to Alberta, those connections continue—a testament to the community leadership she helped nurture.

In Calgary, Jackie continues to grow her voice within the HIV movement. She has been invited to share her lived experience in community settings, helping educate others about HIV and reduce stigma.

Jackie proudly shares her story and believes that visibility matters.

“I’m proud of my lived experience,” she says. “It’s part of who I am and how I help others.”

What Women-Centered HIV Care Means
For Jackie, women-centered HIV care is about honouring women’s experiences and creating spaces where people can bring their full selves. It means allowing women to share their stories openly, acknowledging the emotions and realities that come with those experiences, and learning from one another.

Within the hub, Jackie values learning about the many dimensions of women’s health and HIV — from menopause and aging with HIV to the diverse experiences of women across communities. She sees the hub as a place where women continually exchange knowledge, resources, and encouragement.

A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Jackie hopes to see even more women-led initiatives in HIV care and research. She believes there is still important work to be done to address the realities women face, including aging with HIV, menopause, parenting, substance use, gender-based violence, and the integration of Indigenous healing practices and traditional medicines.

For Jackie, the future of HIV care must continue to center diverse women’s voices and lived experiences.
“Women living with HIV have so much knowledge and so much to give back to our communities,” she says.
 

Hope and Momentum
What gives Jackie hope is seeing women living with HIV stepping forward as leaders in the HIV movement. For many years, women’s voices were pushed to the margins, but today they are increasingly shaping research, policy, and community responses.

Jackie sees the work of the Indigenous Sub-Hub and the broader Women-Centered HIV Care network as part of that momentum.

“The ball has just started rolling,” she says. “It’s only going to snowball from here.”

A Message to Women Living with HIV
Jackie’s message to women living with HIV is simple and heartfelt:

“It’s one voice at a time. Whether you’re 9 or 99, you are loved and respected. Honour yourself and your own beautiful, unique journey.”

She also reminds women that no one has to navigate HIV alone.
“There will always be someone living with HIV who will lend an ear or offer a shoulder to cry on — that’s the kind of community we are.”

As we celebrate Jackie’s first year with the Indigenous Women-Centered HIV Care Sub-Hub, we honour the strength, leadership, and generosity she brings to this work. Her voice continues to inspire communities across the Prairies and beyond, reminding us that when women share their stories, they create powerful pathways for healing, knowledge, and collective strength. 💜
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