We’re excited to launch the Two-Spirit Medicine Bundle Pilot. You can contribute to the promotion of this survey and help us explore the uptake of Indigenous-designed and peer-led, and culturally competent HIV self-testing and dried blood spot (DBS) testing through a Medicine Bundle to Two-Spirit, queer and trans Indigenous community members in British Columbia.
Help us spread the word about this survey by sharing information through your social media channels, websites, and newsletters. To help you do this, we have created promotional resources for you to use, which you can access and download below.
For more information about this study, please contact Jessy Dame (he/him; Two-Spirit Program Manager) at [email protected], or Martin Morberg (he/him; Two-Spirit Program Coordinator) at [email protected].
For more information on how to use these shareables and how to connect through social platforms, please contact Jose Patiño-Gomez (Digital Marketing Manager) at [email protected].
Please use the following URL to direct people to the survey: https://uvicresearch.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6fBUsq7c0Qecwjc
You can also use this short link: https://bit.ly/medicinebundle
Stay connected by following us on social media:
CBRC
- Facebook: @theCBRC
- Twitter: @CBRCtweets
- Instagram: @theCBRC
- LinkedIn: @theCBRC
Boilerplate
The Two-Spirit Medicine Bundle Pilot is an initiative of the Two-Spirit Program at Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC). This Indigenous-focused initiative has been developed and led by Two-Spirit staff members – with guidance from Two-Spirit Elders and community members – to create accessible and independent HIV self-testing and sexual health resources. The medicine bundles contain sexual health supplies, including the INSTI HIV self-tests, dry blood spot (DBS) tests for HIV and other ailments, Indigenous medicines, and a variety of resources for additional knowledge and support. The aim of this initiative is to reduce stigma and increase knowledge around HIV and sexual health within our communities.
This study is being conducted by CBRC, the University of Victoria, FEAST, and the CIHR Centre for REACH Nexus.
Example Social Media Messages
Feel free to use the following messages when sharing the Two-Spirit Medicine Bundle Pilot among your networks.
Longer Posts (Facebook, LinkedIn)
- The Two-Spirit Medicine Bundle Pilot provides accessible and independent HIV self-testing and sexual health resources for Two-Spirit, queer and trans Indigenous community members in British Columbia. Each bundle contains sexual health supplies (including the INSTI HIV self-tests, and dry blood spot tests for HIV and other ailments), Indigenous medicines, and a variety of resources for additional knowledge and support.
- A Medicine Bundle helps you engage with your health in a holistic way – mind, body, sex, and spirit. CBRC’s Two-Spirit Medicine Bundle contains an HIV and STBBI self-test kit, Indigenous medicines, sexual health supplies and additional resources to give you access to a holistic approach to your sexual health needs. Order yours at the link below.
- Trusted Messengers deliver Indigenous and western sexual health resources, tools and information to Two-Spirit and Indigenous community members, encouraging folks to integrate sexual health related information into their personal lives and challenge the current state of stigma/shame attached to sexual health testing and other services. Find out more below.
- When you know your HIV status, you can start treatment as early as possible, or when you’re ready. This can help you remain healthy and avoid passing HIV to others. Indigenous folks within BC can access treatment and prevention medications at no cost. Find out more as part of the Two-Spirit Medicine Bundle Pilot.
Shorter Posts (Twitter, Instagram)
- Let’s bring the sacredness back into sex. From a bathroom stall to another’s bedroom — it’s all sacred. Learn more about the Two-Spirit Medicine Bundle Pilot at cbrc.net/medicinebundle.
- The only way to know about your sexual health is to get tested. Sign up to receive a Medicine Bundle, available to Two-Spirit, queer and trans Indigenous community members in British Columbia: cbrc.net/medicinebundle.
- Trusted Messengers deliver Indigenous and western sexual health resources, tools and information to Two-Spirit and Indigenous community members. Find out more about the Two-Spirit Medicine Bundle Pilot at cbrc.net/medicinebundle.
- Looking for sexual health resources? Check out our Medicine Bundle Resource and Support List for Two-Spirit, queer and trans Indigenous community members: https://www.cbrc.net/medicine_bundle_resource_and_support_list
- The Two-Spirit Medicine Bundle Pilot was made by and for the Two-Spirit, queer and trans Indigenous community with the goal of creating alternate pathways to testing and sexual health resources. Find out more at cbrc.net/medicinebundle.
Sample E-mail/Newsletter Summary
The Two-Spirit Medicine Bundle Pilot
The Two-Spirit Program at Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) has recently launched the Two-Spirit Medicine Bundle Pilot, a program that will explore the uptake of Indigenous-designed and peer-led, and culturally competent HIV self-testing and dried blood spot (DBS) testing through a Medicine Bundle to Two-Spirit, queer and trans Indigenous community members in British Columbia.
“Let’s bring the sacredness back into sex. From a bathroom stall to another’s bedroom — it’s all sacred.”
What is a Medicine Bundle?
A Medicine Bundle is personal to its carrier and contains items you have gathered and care for. This bundle is sacred to you. It contains items that support you in your personal journey and development. The Medicine Bundle helps you engage with your health in a holistic way – mind, body, spirit, and sex.
What is our sexual health Medicine Bundle?
This Medicine Bundle contains an HIV and STBBI self-test kit, Indigenous medicines, sexual health supplies and additional resources. The purpose of this bundle is to bring the sacredness back into sex and give you access to a holistic approach to your sexual health needs.
Who is the project for?
To be eligible to participate in this research project and receive a Medicine Bundle, you must:
- Identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit)
- Be a resident of what is colonially referred to as British Columbia
- Be 18 years of age or older
People living with HIV can participate in the study, but we recommend requesting only STBBI self-test kits.
What is involved in the project?
You will answer questions about yourself and order a personalized Medicine Bundle that will be shipped to an address of your choosing. If there are barriers or concerns about shipping, a member of the Two-Spirit Program team will be in touch to discuss options. After you use the Medicine Bundle, we will send you another set of questions to help us understand your experience and how we can better improve the program.
Book a Workshop with our Two-Spirit Team
The Two-Spirit team at Community-Based Research Centre is also happy to offer a virtual presentation for your community. Within these presentations, we hope to share information and community driven resources that have been created to support Two-Spirit, queer and trans Indigenous community members.
For more information on the Medicine Bundle Pilot, please visit www.cbrc.net/medicinebundle.
Shareables
Please make use of the digital shareables below to share and promote the study on your social media platforms.
