About Us

Positive Living North letterhead symbols

Positive Living North: No khe̅yoh t’sih’en t’sehena Society (PLN) has been a solid and reputable not-for-profit community-based HIV/AIDS/HCV service organization since its incorporation in 1992.

We are an Indigenous AIDS Service Organization (ASO) that has a proven record of innovation, responsiveness, and commitment to all Northern residents. In response to the scope of the HIV epidemic in our community, we continue to provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS/HCV (PHAs), and address the greater need for prevention and education services.

With approximately 90% of our members being of Indigenous ancestry, we strive to provide our services in a culturally-appropriate manner to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, and to that end legally became an Indigenous organization in 2003. Although we identify as an Indigenous organization, our service delivery is not confined to that specific population. We provide programming and services to anyone who is living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV/AIDS/HCV, regardless of race creed, gender, or sexual orientation. As an Indigenous organization, we provide services through an Indigenous lens and our service delivery approach resembles the holistic concept of the medicine wheel.

Since 2003, Positive Living North has added to our solid foundation through increased Indigenous-specific programming and through being involved with local, regional, provincial and national strategies which are directly linked to the root causes of the HIV/AIDS/HCV epidemics.

As we grew into our identity as an Indigenous organization, in 2003 we developed a small, fledgling program called the Fire Pit Cultural Drop-In Centre. The Fire Pit is a street-level HIV/AIDS/HCV prevention and support program grounded in the philosophy that culture and healing are critical components in reducing the risk for HIV/HCV, and a primary mechanism for effectively supporting those infected.

Through a funding arrangement between PHAC’s ACAP division and the Northern Health Authority, PLN began the remote management of the previous Positive Living Northwest (PLNW) operations in Smithers in October 2008. Also, in 2013, PLN was able to hire an Outreach HIV/AIDS Educator for the Northeast region of BC. Overall, PLN provides services to over two-thirds of the Northern Health Authority region.

Medicine Wheel

PLN provides programming and services to all Northern BC residents in the areas of:

  • SUPPORT SERVICES: includes peer support, advocacy, referrals, case management, crisis intervention & therapeutic activities to people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS/HCV.
  • EDUCATION & PREVENTION: provides HIV/AIDS/HCV and related issues awareness and prevention information through activities, workshops, presentations, and information booths. Services geared towards high-risk target populations, schools, correctional facilities, community service organizations, general public.
  • FIRE PIT’ CULTURAL DROP-IN CENTRE: provides an off-site culturally-based drop-in prevention resource aimed at the most vulnerable members of our community.
  • HARM REDUCTION: this program is to help prevent and control infectious diseases. It also reflects priorities to end HIV, Hepatitis C and related sexually transmitted, blood borne infections (STBBI’s) among the priory population of people.
  • PLN-BULKLEY VALLEY: within this satellite office based in Smithers, provision of a wide-array of support, education, and prevention services are typically offered in an informal drop-in setting. However due to restrictions with COVID, this office is currently closed to the public
  • ADMINISTRATION: providing administrative and financial support to Managers, Staff, Board, Members and Volunteers. All agencies within Prince George, Smithers, Fort st. john and Dawson Creek.

Positive Living North has years of experience managing programs from diverse funding streams. Due to this experience, this further cements the agency as a reputable AIDS service organization, with the ability and knowledge of how best to reach and engage the target populations. We have taken lessons learned, best practices and evaluation recommendations and amended our service delivery approach to be reflective of the needs of the clients.

As the only Indigenous AIDS service organization in Northern British Columbia, characterized by years of experience and expertise in the field of HIV/AIDS/HCV prevention education, we know what has to be done. By acting strategically, working collaboratively, and sharing our skills and resources, we are effective.

By working together, we are closer to achieving our common goal: Stopping HIV/AIDS/HCV in the North.