Jasmine Cotnam who resides in Thunder Bay Ontario is an Indigenous woman who has been publicly open about her HIV+ status since her diagnosis in the last decade.  Jasmine currently holds two part time research coordinator positions at Women’s College Hospital and  works part time with the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS  Network  where she holds one of the  two APHA Liaison positions. In addition to her full and part time positions Jasmine has been contracted as a Peer Research Assistant with the Ontario HIV Treatment Network on various studies, Women’s College Hospital on the CHIWOS Study, and McMaster University on the WATCH Study.

Jasmine’s previous lived experience includes sexwork, injection drug use, and being placed intermittently in the care of child protection services as a child and  youth. Jasmine’s previous work history includes working for over four years at an addiction and mental health agency as a Systemic Advocate and at a local AIDS Service Organization as the Injection Drug Use and HEPC Outreach Worker. Jasmine’s professional passion and educational background is in addiction and mental health where she holds a social service worker diploma.

Jasmine spends her free time reading, occasionally going to the gym, and cooking.  Jasmine is the proud parent of a teenaged daughter who is the light and focus of her life.