International Indigenous Pre-Conference on HIV & AIDS (IIPCHA)

International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV & AIDS

The International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV & AIDS is an Indigenous-led gathering held immediately before the main International AIDS Conference. It provides a dedicated space for Indigenous leaders, Elders, community members, people with lived experience, researchers, and allies to share knowledge, strengthen relationships, and advance culturally grounded, community-driven responses to HIV and related health issues. The pre-conference ensures that Indigenous perspectives, priorities, equity, and self-determination are meaningfully represented in global HIV policy, research, and practice discussions.

CAAN – Communities, Alliances & Networks is a national Indigenous organization that provides a forum for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples to holistically address HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), tuberculosis, mental health, aging, and related co-morbidities. Through advocacy, research, education, and community support, CAAN promotes culturally relevant approaches, amplifies the voices of Indigenous people living with or affected by HIV, and works to reduce health inequities using a social determinants of health framework.

As of 2026, CAAN has been involved with the International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV & AIDS for 20 years. Since helping to shape early Indigenous activities and the Toronto Charter at the 2006 International AIDS Conference in Toronto, CAAN has played a central leadership role in organizing and other duties every edition of this important gathering including the upcoming 2026 pre-conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in close partnership with other Indigenous partners.

This long-standing commitment reflects CAAN’s ongoing dedication to elevating Indigenous voices on the global stage and advancing health sovereignty for Indigenous communities worldwide.

The IPCHA travel scholarship applications are closed.

Thank you to all those who applied!

Our World. Our Ways. Our Vision.

International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV & AIDS – AIDS 2026 (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Our World. Our Ways. Our Vision.

The 11th International Indigenous Pre-Conference on HIV & AIDS (IIPCHA) is a global Indigenous-led event held immediately before AIDS 2026 in Brazil.

Since its inception, IIPCHA has brought together Indigenous Peoples from around the world including leaders, Traditional Knowledge Guardians and Elders, youth, researchers, clinicians, community health workers, advocates, and people living with HIV. The conference works to inform and strengthen the global Indigenous response to HIV, sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, tuberculosis, and malaria.

Guided by Indigenous cultural knowledge, the principle of self-determination, and ancestral science, IIPCHA has grown over its 20-year history into:

A safe, culturally grounded space where Indigenous Peoples set their own global health priorities
A platform for sharing Indigenous knowledge, ceremony, and community healing
A catalyst for important global policy tools, including the Toronto Charter and two International Indigenous Strategic Plans on HIV & AIDS
A forum where Indigenous communities help shape global strategies that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

In 2026, IIPCHA will spotlight Indigenous voices from Brazil. The conference will honour the leadership of Brazil’s Indigenous movements and strengthen collaboration across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The pre-conference provides a dedicated space for Indigenous leaders, community members, Elders, people with lived experience, researchers and allies to come together to share knowledge, strengthen relationships and advance Indigenous-led, culturally grounded responses to HIV and related health issues. It exists to ensure Indigenous perspectives and priorities are meaningfully represented within global HIV policy, research and community practice discussions.

IPCHA 2026 will take place over two days immediately prior to the main AIDS 2026 program and contributes to shaping the broader conference agenda by centring Indigenous leadership, equity and self-determination.

The pre-conference is supported through collaboration with Indigenous partners, including the International Indigenous Working Group on HIV & AIDS (IIWGHA), and reflects CAAN’s ongoing commitment to advancing Indigenous voices on the global stage.

Register Now to Attend in Person

Courtyard by Marriott Rio de Janeiro Barra da Tijuca Brazil

Hosting the International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV & AIDS (IIPCHA) 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil honours the presence, strength, and rich diversity of Brazil’s more than 300 Indigenous Peoples and affirms their central role as leaders in global dialogues on HIV, health sovereignty, and ancestral science. This amazing location creates meaningful opportunities to showcase successful Indigenous-led Brazilian health strategies, address regional disparities in sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections as well as access to prevention, care, and treatment, build stronger cooperation between Indigenous nations in Brazil and global partners, and engage directly with government departments responsible for Indigenous health, rights, and public policy.

The Pre-Conference Planning Committee determined that the AIDS 2026 theme, “Rethink, Rebuild, Rise,” while valuable globally, does not fully reflect Indigenous realities or worldviews. The theme assumes a starting point of deficit or recovery that misaligns with Indigenous lived truths. In these truths, knowledge systems, governance structures, and healing practices have always existed despite colonial disruption.

In response, the committee developed “Our World. Our Ways. Our Vision.” This reframing centres Indigenous Peoples as knowledge holders, decision-makers, and solution-makers rather than as a priority population defined by external systems. The approach affirms that Indigenous knowledge is foundational, that culture itself is prevention, and that ancestral science is medicine. The Pre-Conference objectives are grounded in Indigenous governance to ensure clarity, feasibility, and accountability.

At the same time, the committee strengthened the AIDS 2026 theme to better align with Indigenous perspectives. “Rebuild” was reframed as rebuilding from the centre, asserting Indigenous leadership in service delivery, research, and policy, while addressing structural inequities that shape HIV outcomes. “Rise” was re-envisioned as rising as we are, rooted in resilience, sovereignty, and holistic wellness that extends beyond clinical models to families, culture, and ceremony.

Feedback from Indigenous leaders highlighted persistent barriers such as racism, language access, diminishing funding, political inaction, and exclusion from national strategies. At the same time, it elevated powerful Indigenous-led solutions with measurable impact. The pre-conference thus maintains a distinct Indigenous focus while contributing forward-looking insights to the global HIV discourse. It ensures that Indigenous voices and visions meaningfully inform the next five to six years of global efforts.

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The Indigenous Peoples Networking Zone (IPNZ)

The Indigenous Peoples Networking Zone (IPNZ) at AIDS 2026 will serve as a dedicated, culturally grounded space in the Global Village where Indigenous Peoples and their allies can gather to mobilize, share ancestral knowledge, and shape the global HIV response. Designed as a “Living Indigenous Community,” the IPNZ will bring together more than 500 participants from across regions to engage in knowledge sessions, Talking Circles, healing spaces, advocacy dialogues, and cultural showcases rooted in Indigenous protocols and worldviews. More than a program, the IPNZ is a shared space created by and for the community, where participants are invited to bring their voices, experiences, teachings, questions, and ideas. Through this interactive environment, the zone will amplify Indigenous leadership, strengthen global and regional networks, and support the development of a Global Engagement Strategy for Indigenous Peoples and HIV, alongside a community-driven advocacy roadmap that participants can carry forward into their own contexts.

Building on the collaborative and action-oriented approach of AIDS 2026 Networking Zones, the IPNZ will offer opportunities for organizations, leaders, and community members to host sessions, facilitate discussions, and share innovative, culturally grounded approaches to HIV prevention, care, and advocacy. Priority will be given to activities that centre lived experience, elevate Indigenous knowledge systems, foster meaningful partnerships, and encourage dynamic participation and learning. Organizations and individuals interested in contributing to this vibrant and impactful space are invited to apply by completing the session proposal form at the link provided below, using the guidance outlined in the IPNZ concept materials.

The Indigenous Peoples Network Zone (IPNZ) at the Global Village of the International AIDS Conference – AIDS 2026 is now accepting session proposals.

Download the full details here:

What We Hope to Achieve

The objectives of the International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV & AIDS 2026 are rooted in Indigenous leadership and self-determination. We will share our stories and wisdom to build a clear path forward, developing a global strategy that weaves ancestral science into health policy, programs, and services. This includes creating a global strategic plan to address HIV, TB, malaria, and related health issues by centering Ancestral Indigenous Science, so that Indigenous Peoples hold the power over our own information, decisions, and sacred teachings. At the same time, we will break down the numbers to understand every community’s unique needs through research that is led by Indigenous voices and protocols. As global organizations shift their focus, we are preparing to stand strong together by relying on our own networks, enacting sovereign Indigenous health practices, and demonstrating the power of our traditional healing while advancing the collection of disaggregated epidemiological data. Finally, we will empower Indigenous leadership and strengthen global solidarity through meaningful knowledge exchange, policy advocacy, and strategic partnerships that foster cross-pollination of community knowledge, lived experience, community-led monitoring, and reciprocal support to tackle the structural drivers of stigma, discrimination, and racism.

IIPCHA Archive

As of 2026, CAAN (Communities, Alliances & Networks) has been involved with the International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV & AIDS for 20 years. Here is a look back at our past events.

IIPCHA 2024

The 10th International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV & AIDS took place in Munich, Germany from July 19 to 21, 2024.

Organizers hosted the event in the culturally rich city of Munich to highlight Indigenous issues and celebrate the diversity of Indigenous Peoples. The gathering aimed to elevate Indigenous Peoples as a priority population in the global response to HIV, HCV, tuberculosis, and STIs, while advocating for targeted funding.

Participants worked together to develop evidence-based, Indigenous-specific strategies that addressed and empowered their communities. The pre-conference brought together Indigenous health care advocates, Indigenous health departments, health advocates, community members with lived experiences of HIV/AIDS, HCV, tuberculosis, and STIs, as well as their allies.

Organizers extended a special invitation to Indigenous youth, Elders, traditional practitioners, and community members from around the world. Attendees united in a collective commitment to advance Indigenous health and well-being on a global scale through an enriching and collaborative exploration of Indigenous perspectives on HIV and AIDS.

IIPCHA 2022

9th International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV & AIDS

One Vision, Many Paths 26 to 28 July 2022, Tio’tia:ke (Montréal), Canada (Hybrid)

The 9th International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV and AIDS was held from 26 to 28 July 2022 in Tio’tia:ke (Montréal), Canada. The event took place immediately before the 24th International AIDS Conference and welcomed Indigenous leaders, researchers, activists, community members, and allies from across North America and around the world.

Under the theme One Vision, Many Paths, participants explored sustainable and culturally grounded approaches to addressing HIV and related health challenges in Indigenous communities. The pre-conference focused on using Indigenous knowledge, worldviews, and cultural practices to strengthen prevention, care, treatment, and support services. Discussions highlighted the importance of decolonizing the HIV response, advancing culturally safe care, and tackling intersecting issues such as the opioid epidemic, stigma, and barriers to harm reduction. Special attention was given to achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets through community-led and Indigenous-specific strategies.

The hybrid format allowed both in-person and virtual participation. Sessions included sharing of lived experiences, research presentations, policy dialogues, and opportunities for networking and solidarity. The event featured dedicated learning tracks on situating the response, engagement and solidarity, Indigenous health sovereignty, and understanding pandemics from Indigenous perspectives.

Organized by the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network in partnership with the International Indigenous HIV/AIDS Caucus and supported by several national partners including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the pre-conference reinforced the critical role of Indigenous Peoples in the global HIV response. It called for increased targeted funding, evidence-based Indigenous strategies, and meaningful inclusion in international policy and programming.

Outcomes from the gathering helped shape broader conversations at the main AIDS 2022 conference and strengthened the global call for decolonized, community-driven approaches to HIV and related epidemics among Indigenous Peoples worldwide.

IIPCHA 2020

8th International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV & AIDS

Virtual Event July 2020 (Opening sessions on July 3 and 5, with additional online workshops throughout the month)

The 8th International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV and AIDS was held in July 2020, immediately before the 23rd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2020), which was also conducted entirely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event brought together Indigenous leaders, researchers, activists, community members, and allies from across the globe to share knowledge and strengthen collective responses to HIV.

In the context of two intersecting pandemics, participants focused on Indigenous knowledge, cultural practices, and community-driven approaches to HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support. Discussions addressed the ongoing challenges of HIV in Indigenous communities while exploring the added impacts of COVID-19, the importance of culturally safe services, harm reduction, and the need for decolonized strategies. The pre-conference highlighted resilience, solidarity, and the critical role of Indigenous leadership in shaping effective health responses during times of global crisis.

The fully virtual format enabled broad international participation despite travel restrictions. Sessions included sharing of lived experiences, research presentations, policy dialogues, and opportunities for networking and collaboration. It maintained the long-standing tradition of ensuring strong Indigenous voices and perspectives are centred ahead of the main International AIDS Conference.

Organized by the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network in partnership with the International Indigenous HIV/AIDS Caucus and supported by collaborating Indigenous partners, the 8th pre-conference reinforced the call for targeted resources, evidence-based Indigenous strategies, and meaningful inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in global HIV policy and programming.

Outcomes from the gathering contributed to broader conversations at AIDS 2020 and underscored the importance of community-led, culturally grounded approaches to addressing HIV and other health challenges affecting Indigenous communities worldwide.

Supported by Gilead who provided funding for travel scholarships enabling Indigenous participation from Brazil, the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, and globally at the 11th International Indigenous Pre-Conference on HIV & AIDS (IIPCHA 2026). Gilead has had no input into the content of the materials used at this meeting/conference.