ABout the Ourstory Project
OURstory is a social marketing campaign that advances HIV awareness, reduces stigma, and promotes wellness by sharing transformative stories from Indigenous people living with HIV, along with community members and healthcare providers.
Engage with the campaign—watch the stories, use the resources, and share OURstory with your community.
Goals of the OURStory campaign
1. Reduce stigma by addressing internalized shame that undermines self‑esteem, self‑efficacy, and access to health care.
2. Support positive institutional and policy reform that centers Indigenous Peoples living with HIV/AIDS and those at risk for HIV, STIs, and viral hepatitis.
3. Promote community wellness by sharing stories of resilience that inspire hope to cope, survive, and thrive.
4. Share powerful stories that save lives and inspire.
PREVIEW OF PROFILE FEATURES
HISstory: Kumu brad lum
In HISstory, Brad asks a powerful question in poetic form: “What if I told you I win when I open my eyes every morning? Cancer and HIV, you will not triumph over me, because I am possible!”
Brad Lum, born and raised in Mō‘ili‘ili, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, is an HIV long-term survivor and a respected community leader within the Native Hawaiian and Two-Spirit/LGBTQ+ communities. He is a Kumu Hula and a dedicated master teacher of hula, as well as an educator with the Hawai‘i Department of Education, where he has served for over 23 years.
Herstory: dr. sophina calderon
In HERstory, Dr. Calderon shares about her relationship with one of her patients who she worked with over a year during some difficult medical challenges and up to his final days in hospice.
Dr. Sophina Calderon (Diné) previously served as Chief Medical Officer at Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation, where she practiced family medicine and specialized in HIV care. She currently serves as Chief Medical Officer for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s medical operations. In addition, she is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, contributing to global and Indigenous health education through her work in Indian Country and medical brigades in Honduras.
Preview of Audio Documentaries
Trailer for Episode #2
The OURstory Audio Documentaries are beautifully woven stories from the voices of Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY
Ourstory introduction
Ourstory introduction
Ourstory introduction
Video
Ourstory introduction
Ourstory introduction
Profile Features
Audio Documentaries
Audio Documentaries
Audio Documentaries
Audio Documentaries
Audio Documentaries
NATIVE HIV HISTORICAL TIMELINE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
"HISSTORY, HERSTORY, THEIRSTORY, OURSTORY” was produced by Rick Haverkate, with multimedia production and direction by Carolyn Kualiʻi in collaboration with: Indian Health Services, Kua`aina Associates, Inc., The Raven Collective, & Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board.
OURstory was made possible with support from the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund , the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Indian Health Services.