FNHA is pleased to announce the recipients of the second funding cycle of our HIV Community Wellness Initiative (CWI), which supports First Nations communities and Indigenous-led organizations across BC to strengthen community-based HIV wellness.
FNHA received 52 applications from all five health regions in BC this year, reflecting strong commitment to increase HIV awareness, reduce stigma, improve access to testing and support wholistic, culturally safe care.
The initiative is guided by community members, people with lived and living experience, health professionals and the HIV CWI Advisory Circle. It strengthens collaboration and knowledge-sharing through the Peer Connections Circle, where funded communities share experiences, receive training and learn from clinical and community experts. A key goal of the initiative is to maintain continuity of support, knowledge and connection.
“The increase in applications reflects the strong need for community-driven HIV initiatives and the growing momentum of Indigenous-led approaches to sexual health and wellness," said Kecia Larkin, a Knowledge Keeper with the HIV CWI Advisory Circle “Each project is shaped by local teachings, community strengths and the unique needs of each Nation."
Launched in 2025, The HIV CWI provides grants of up to $50,000 to Indigenous-led HIV programming across BC. The first round of funding distributed $1. 5 million to expand access to HIV education, testing, prevention and wholistic wellness supports.
“What continues to stand out is the leadership coming directly from communities," said Michelle Prince, FNHA manager of Communicable Disease, Population and Public Health. “The projects being developed are innovative, culturally safe, and deeply rooted in community care and wellness."
FNHA extends its gratitude to all communities and organizations that applied. The strength, creativity and commitment reflected in the applications demonstrates the important work happening across the province to support First Nations people living with or affected by HIV.
Here are the 38 recipients approved for funding in 2026:
Interior Region
- Aq'am health and wellness
- Ashcroft Indian Band
- Ktunaxa Nation Community Health
- Splatsin Health Centre
- Tl'esqox Health
- Ulkatcho First Nation
- Lower Similkameen Indian Band
- Ts'kw'aylaxw (Pavilion)
- Whispering Pines/ Clinton Indian Band
- ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation
Northern Region
- Gitanyow Human Services Authority
- Gitxaala Nation Health Centre
- Haisla Health Centre
- Kitselas First Nation
- Nisga'a Valley Health Authority (NVHA)
- Positive Living North: No khe̅yoh t'sih'en t'sehena Society
- Sikedakh Health Society
- Tsay Keh Dene Health and Wellness
- Kermode Friendship Society
- XaaydaGa Dlaang Society
Vancouver Island Region
- Gathering Strength Community Services Society
- Huli'tun Health Society
- K'omoks First Nation
- Namwayut Cultural and Wellness Society
- Pauquachin First Nation
- Snuneymuxw hulit lelum
- Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nations
- 'Namgis Health Centre
- Ts'ewulhtun Health Centre
- ʔuukʷinkpanač West Coast Primary Care Initiative Health Society
Fraser Salish Region
- Cheam First Nation
- Katzie First Nation
- Seabird Island - Sq'éwqel
- Stsailes Yeqwethet
Vancouver Coastal Region
- Heiltsuk Health Centre
- Líl̓wat Nation - Health and Healing
- Musqueam Indian Band
- Yuustway Health and Wellness
To learn more about the HIV CWI, visit their webpage on the FNHA website or email HIVProjects@fnha.ca.
