Nishnawbe Aski Nation

Not doing certain behaviours or activities.

A group of diseases (a syndrome) that results from a breakdown in the body's disease defence system (immune system). With AIDS, that system is attacked by a virus called the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Penis entering the anus (butt) of either a male or female.

Proteins produced by the body in response to the presence of a virus in a person's blood. Usually antibodies protect a person from a disease; HIV antibodies do not.

APLWHA is a term chosen by people living with HIV/ AIDS to emphasize that they are not victims and that they have the right to make decisions affecting their lives and treatment.

An opinion or feeling about something.

What people think is true.

Someone who has sex or is attracted to both sexes.

A pair of mammary glands on the front of females which can produce milk to breast feed infants.

A shield that stretches over the penis to stop any contact of fluid, to protect against infection and pregnancy. Using latex (rubber) condoms for intercourse can make sex safer. Condoms may be made of animal skins, but these condoms do not protect against viruses. Condoms can be dry or have a small amount of lubricant on them.

Having to do with being male, female or transgendered.

A social policy approach that aims at reducing or removing harm associated with certain risk behaviours, like injection drug use.

The ability to respond and meet threats or challenges to your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.

Someone who is attracted or has sex with someone of the opposite sex.

The virus believed to cause AIDS. Having HIV is not the same as having AIDS. Some people who are infected with this virus are healthy, and have none or only a few symptoms; some have AIDS itself. A person may be infected with HIV for several years before AIDS-related illnesses appear. A person with the virus can pass it to others through direct contact with blood, semen or vaginal fluids.

A complete or whole way of looking at things, many Aboriginal cultures traditionally looked at things from a mental, physical, emotional and spiritual view.

Someone who is attracted or has sex with someone of the same sex.

Any physical act which sexually gratifies one or both people, including oral sex, intercourse, masturbation, use of sex toys, etc.

A newer term which replaces transgendered, or someone who has the physical attributes of one sex, yet identifies more with the other sex for which they were assigned at birth (eg. born male but identifies as a female or vice versa).

A fluid or gel that may be applied to a condom (when it is made or when it is used) to make it more slippery. Only water-based lubricants should be used on condoms. Oil based lubricants like Vaseline or hand lotion weaken the condom and cause it to break more easily, making it less safe to use.

Sexual activity where a person's mouth touches a partner's sex organs. Oral sex will rarely spread the virus as long as the partner's mouth and gums are healthy. Condoms or latex squares may be used to lower the risk.

A sexual act which involves using the mouth to pleasure the other person's anus or butt.

puberty

A period where the person experiences internal and external physical changes, such as growing pubic or facial hair, voice changing, breast development, menstrual periods, hormone changes, etc.

Any physical act which sexually gratifies one or both people, including oral sex, intercourse, masturbation, use of sex toys, etc.

Sexual activities that help prevent the spread of HIV. The safest sexual activities are those where blood, semen and vaginal fluids are not passed from one person to another. Body rubbing and touching genitals are completely safe. Correct use of latex condoms for intercourse is also safer sex.

A germ (bacteria or virus) or infection that may be passed from one person to another by sexual contact. Examples of STIs: herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV.

Someone who has the physical attributes of one sex yet identifies more with the other sex for which they were born with.

A term used mostly by First Nations and other Aboriginal people to self-identity as what is known today as being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered/ inter-sexed. Traditionally, the term did not apply so much to sexual orientation, but more to a role that individuals held within their societies.

The part of the woman's genitals that leads from the opening to the inside of the body. Most people use vagina to mean the part of the genitals where intercourse happens and where fluid comes from during intercourse.

The sexual activity where a man's penis enters a woman's vagina. Sometimes called "lovemaking." If a condom is not used on the penis during intercourse, sexually transmitted infections, including AIDS, can be passed from an infected person to his or her partner.

The female genitals which are on the outside of the body.