HIV Edmonton

Who We Are

HIV Edmonton aims to improve the quality of life for people living with, or affected by HIV and AIDS, Sexually Transmitted and Blood-borne Infections (STBBI). We do this by focusing on the elimination of HIV transmission and AIDS-related deaths and working to erase stigma and discrimination.

The AIDS Network of Edmonton was founded in 1984 by a group of friends who desperately wanted to see different outcomes for their friends with AIDS.

Today, HIV Edmonton works to reduce the transmission of HIV and other STBBIs by building connections within our community. HIV Edmonton connects all people to education, testing, treatment, and support at our Red Ribbon building downtown and at outreach events throughout the city.

HIV Edmonton Red Ribbon Building reception area

Our Mission

HIV Edmonton believes health equity and gender equity is a right. We achieve this by honouring community, advocating in partnership to amplify community voices, enhancing responsiveness, and advancing the knowledge that U=U=U: Undetectable equals Untransmittable meaning a person living with HIV achieves and maintains an undetectable viral load, they cannot transmit HIV sexually; Universal access to PrEP; and Universal access to testing and treatment.

Our Vision

To be the foremost organization championing the advancement of health equity, gender equity, and justice in order to eliminate stigma and discrimination for people living with, or impacted by, HIV and AIDS.

Our Values

We strive to create a positive and welcoming environment for all who use our services.
We appreciate and celebrate diversity in all its dimensions.
We are compassionate in all that we do.
We demonstrate respect for each other, our volunteers, community members, service partners and health care professionals and recognize that success is achieved through collaboration.
We protect the dignity and confidentiality of our community members.

We are honest, trustworthy and act with integrity.
We honour the generosity of others through responsible and efficient use of our resources.
We are transparent with respect to decision making.
We strive for continuous improvement in fulfilling our mission.
We encourage and support a healthy work/life balance for our staff.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that HIV Edmonton operates its Society's mission on Treaty 6 territory, in amiskwaciwaskahikan, also known as Edmonton. This is the traditional gathering place of many Indigenous Peoples, including the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Dene, Nakota Sioux, Metis, and Inuit Peoples for time immemorial. We honour and recognize the ongoing histories, cultures, languages, and contributions of Indigenous communities, and we further acknowledge the harms caused by colonization, systemic inequities, and broken treaty relationships. We also recognize Indigenous Peoples are overrepresented in HIV and STBBI transmission rates and inequitable access to service is a barrier to prevention.

To this end, we partner in solidarity with our Indigenous friends to action Truth and Reconciliation by means of advocating for the full implementation of the 94 Calls to Action, especially as they relate to equitable health access. The contribution of our organization to bettering the quality of life for Indigenous Peoples honours Indigenous ways of knowing and being in allyship. HIV Edmonton remains committed to learning, accountability, and working in ways that support health equity, justice, dignity, and respect for all communities.

Recent Awards

Three particular awards we are proud to be involved with include the Deborah Norris Spirit of Giving Award, the Bob Mills Community Leadership Award, and the Trudie McLaren Volunteer Award of Excellence. Below are further descriptions of each award, as well as a list of past recipients.