We would like to begin by acknowledging that the Home Sharing Support Society BC office operates on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples-Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh (slay-wa-tuth) & Musqueam First Nations.
We respect the land and honor this tradition of land acknowledgment that dates back centuries for Indigenous people. As a reflection of the provincial scope of our organization, we recognize that our affiliates occupy the ceded, unceded, and sovereign territories of Nations across what is referred to as British Columbia.
We are committed to building ongoing relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities, and to learn more about their cultures and histories. As such, HSSSBC is proud to recognize Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) for the month of November. This distinction was created in 2015 by The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) in order to spotlight and celebrate the important contributions First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people with disabilities have made to their communities throughout the province.
In Canada, the prevalence of disabilities among Indigenous peoples surpasses the national average. Those in the Indigenous community with disabilities encounter challenges related to accessibility and employment, exacerbating the social and economic isolation they endure. Frequently, this is intensified by systemic and societal discrimination.
Quick Facts:
- In British Columbia alone, over 926,000 individuals aged 15 and above, constituting nearly 25% of the population, report having some form of disability (Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Disability 2017).
- Individuals with disabilities face a poverty rate that is twice as high as that of those without disabilities.
- Incidence of disabilities and the likelihood of disability occurrence significantly rise for Indigenous women in economically disadvantaged populations. In 2016, Statistics Canada reported that 4 out of 5 First Nation communities had a median income below the poverty line.
- Health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in B.C. are notable. Indigenous communities exhibit higher rates of diabetes, infant mortality, youth suicide, and lower life expectancy compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts, as reported in the Provincial Health Officer’s Report on First Nations Health and Well Being (Interim Report, 2015).
Initiatives:
- Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, 2022
- Supporting Canadians with disabilities – Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Benefit Act
- Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy
- Guidance on accessibility plans
- BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
Societies and Organizations:
Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC)/The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS)
The IDC/BCANDS has been a notable resource for Indigenous peoples since 1991. They are an independent, internationally recognized, award-winning, non-for-profit organization offering disability and health support to both Indigenous persons and organizations across Canada. Since 2018, they have held Special Consultative Status with the United Nations.
Events:
The 2024 B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards
Residents across British Columbia are invited to nominate individuals for yearly awards honoring exceptional contributions to the promotion of multiculturalism and the combatting of racism. Know someone in your community deserving of recognition? Submit your nominations by November 29, 2023, before 11:59 pm PST.
Indigenous Disability and Wellness Gathering
In 2024, BCANDS and Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC) will host the 10th Indigenous Disability Awareness Month in Victoria, called the Indigenous Disability and Wellness Gathering. This Gathering will include Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders, governments, community members, service providers, and others, to address the challenges Indigenous people with disabilities face.
November and Beyond…
As Indigenous Disability Awareness Month concludes, let us not merely see it as a chapter concluded but as a springboard for sustained engagement. Take a moment to reflect how you can integrate a decolonized lens into your everyday life—whether at work, in school, within social circles, or through activism. Together, we can strive for these changes for November and beyond.
Sign up for HSSBC’s newsletter to learn more about our future collaborations with Indigenous communities, and how we aim to contribute to more equal and culturally safe policies, programs, and services.
