Rates of disability among Indigenous peoples are significantly higher than those in non-Indigenous populations. According to the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous people in Canada are affected by disability 20‑50% more than non-Indigenous people.
In November 2015, Indigenous Disability Canada/British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (IDC/BCANDS) launched Indigenous Disability Awareness Month to brings awareness to the intersectionality of Indigeneity and disability.
Now in its’ 10th year, Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) has been declared and recognized by the Provinces of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, the Assembly of First Nations, BC First Nations Summit, the Métis Nation of BC, Council of Yukon First Nations, the Town of Inuvik, and hundreds of other organizations and communities across Canada.
The Family Support Institute of BC is proud to proclaim November as Indigenous Disability Awareness Month! In addition to recognizing the unique barriers and issues that Indigenous peoples living with disabilities face each day, we also want to take this opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Indigenous peoples living with disabilities and acknowledge the important and valuable contributions they make to our communities socially, economically, and culturally.
We invite you to join us this month and every year in November to honour this significant proclamation.
Angela Clancy
Executive Director
