Be Safer message on Highway 17 West

NIPISSING FN – Union of Ontario Indians HIV/AIDS Program coordinator Jody Cotter and her daughter/artist Maddison stand underneath a new bright animated billboard on the Trans Canada Hwy 17 West.
The billboard features two Anishinaabe characters sitting on the words “Be Safer” with the message to get tested for HIV and Hepatitis C.
The billboard was developed in consultation with Trevor Stratton, International Indigenous Working Group on HIV and AIDS Coordinator from Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation.
The billboard artwork can also be found on the new HIV/AIDS Educational Board “Be Safer Game” – a game that you can play with your friends to have fun and learn about ways to be “safer” in your life journey.  The artwork design is by Maddison Cotter and the questions are by Mackenzie Couchie, Maddison Cotter and Jody Cotter, all citizens of Nipissing First Nation.  The game is played simply with objects such as Cheerios or buttons and dice.
Game players are to answer the questions as they go along and the first one to finish wins but really everybody wins with knowledge.
The game has been very popular and it will be distributed nation-wide.   It will also be translated into French by the organization CATIE that is Canada’s source for HIV and hepatitis C information with that production happening this summer and they will be available for schools to order.
To order a free game please contact jody.cotter@anishinabek.ca or by phone at 705-497-9127 ext.2231 or you can check CATIE’s website at www.catie.ca