Konwahahawi and Act Now Akwesasne

Konwahahawi Herne has been working at ACT NOW for the past five months and within this short amount of time she has witnessed firsthand how Akwesasne youth handle something so private and the once forbidden taboo of speaking about and acting upon the word “SEX”. The three letter word that gets everyone’s attention from young to old. Since the early 90’s, ACT NOW has been helping Akwesasne and surrounding area residents act responsibly when they do choose to have sex. There are few acts in life that are non-consequential and sex certainly isn’t one of them.

One of ACT NOW’s main goals is to reduce new infections of HIV – HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes AIDS. Being infected with HIV is not the same thing as “having” AIDS. When a person is infected with HIV, their immune system becomes unable to fight off infections and can develop certain types of cancers. By intensifying prevention efforts in Akwesasne and surrounding communities and to expand targeted efforts to prevent HIV infection, ACT NOW uses a combination of effective approaches to educate all about the threat of HIV and how to prevent it. They also work hard to increase access to care and improve health outcomes for people living with HIV and to reduce the mortality rate of people with HIV/AIDS.

Konwahahawi works locally within our community, but her work affects the strength of all our Native Nations, making us stronger globally. You can find sister offices at the American Indian Community House, Walking in Self Harmony in Syracuse, and Vision Quest in Buffalo. This ripple effect resonates through the national response to the HIV epidemic. The ACT NOW office in Akwesasne is funded by the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute.

Konwahahawi is very clear in who ACT NOW serves – everyone. So anyone needing information on the prevention and treatment of HIV is welcome at her office, discreetly, but not by intention next to the Country Kitchen plaza. If you are 14 and under, you will need parental or primary caretaker permission to receive full services from ACT NOW. If you live outside of the territory of Akwesasne you are most welcome to ACT NOW. If you are single, a couple, a resident of Akwesasne and your partner lives off the Rez, a group of friends, you and your classmates or college roommates, or you and your new “friend with benefits”, you are welcome to ACT NOW. One of the main goals to reduce and remove the stigma related to having and living with HIV/AIDS and most of all the prevention of getting HIV.

You can reach Konwahahawi in both local high schools; Salmon River Central School and Massena High School where she can educate but not distribute condoms. ACT NOW is not a condom distribution center but an educational, informational and referral center. She works with 23 + community organizations and programs including the Partridge House, Intensive Prevention Program, The Three Sisters Program, and the Senior Citizens.

Where contracting HIV was once a death sentence, it is now looked at as living with HIV. What is most interesting, besides Konwahahawi’s determination, is that HIV/AIDS is entirely preventable. She completely embraces her role as an educator who can make a difference in this community, making it a better place to live, work and play safely. She is passionate about her beliefs, both professionally and personally. From reducing the risks of the number of people infected with HIV to getting rid of the stigma of having HIV, and educating our youth to protect them. She states, “We are given only one body and we must take care of it to the best of our ability. Everyone has sex whether it is for pleasure or to have a child, we need to take responsibility for our own behavior. These issues are 100% preventable with the right education and skill set”. She feels the youth of Akwesasne are strong willed, opinionated, and more than ever before – highly educated. Just as she embraces her job at ACT NOW, she empowers the youth of Akwesasne to recognize their gifts, their sense of pride in who they are and in the end they are able to make strong positive choices.

The National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is March 20. Konwahahawi along with other programs and organizations are in the planning stages of a comprehensive and community wide event. And last but not least, she stresses everything is confidential, the office does keep records of names or addresses however it doesn’t go to the state or otherwise. These are internal records. She will not turn anyone away – if you come in with your partner who lives outside of Akwesasne – you are welcome at ACT NOW. If you arrive and you are concerned about drug abuse or sexual assault she can refer you to the proper program to assist you. You can find Akwesasne Actnow on Facebook and in person at the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council on March 27, 2013 where you can make an appointment and pick up free information. You can also make an appointment at the Act Now office for a risk assessment and an HIV/AIDS 101 or STD 101, you may be eligible to receive a $20.00 gift card for Wal-Mart. Call Konwahahawi at 518 358 2001 or reach her at [email protected].

For your Information

HIV/ STI and Hepatitis C Testing Sites

SRMT Health Clinic 518 358 3141

Planned Parenthood 518 483 7150

Alice Hyde Medical Clinic 518 483 3000

Franklin County Public Health Services 518 481 1710

Massena Free Clinic 518 769 8017

St. Lawrence County Public Health Dept. HIV/AIDS Program 315 386 2325 or 800 561 6057

Planned Parenthood of Canton 315 386 8821

Planned Parenthood of Malone 518 483 7150

Planned Parenthood of NNY Gouverneur 315 287 2285