Over 1 billion people, or approximately 15 percent of the world’s population, have disabilities. While no global data exists regarding indigenous persons with disabilities, available statistics show that indigenous peoples are disproportionately likely to experience disability in comparison to the general population. Indigenous persons with disabilities often experience multiple forms of discrimination and face barriers to the full enjoyment of their rights, based on their indigenous status and also on disability.

In Canada, around 22 percent of the population have disabilities and around 80 percent of us will have a disability at some point and, even if you don’t identify as having one now, disability is the one minority you (or a loved one) can easily become a part of. Indigenous people are living with the continued results of this country’s history and present with colonialism, discrimination and prejudice which continues to touch First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities yet today. This is one thing, but add disability to the mix and the barriers only pile on from there.

The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) filled the need, in the 203 First Nations communities in British Columbia for more assistance and awareness. They’ve been addressing the needs of many on the unique barriers Indigenous peoples are up against in Canada and around the world by starting provincially. In 2015 with designating November as Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAm) and they are making a difference and growing the reach of it all.

This week on a stripped down Outlook with no theme music, we speak with BCAND’s CEO, Neil Belanger about how they’ve gone from provincial, to bringing other provinces into the fold, and are even now hearing from other Indigenous communities in places like New Zealand and the Maori peoples. This organization serves Indigenous clients with disabilities at all ages, from students needing the technology to find success in education and employment to the financial needs around Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSP’s) and other things like housing.

We speak with Belanger about how BCANDS got started, the kinds of supports they offer, and how they are leading the way with human rights for Indigenous people with disabilities by making connections with communities and fostering partnerships with those with disabilities and with allies alike because everyone has a role to play here, for a better reality in the current moment and into the future.

Which additional provinces, cities, or people have stepped up and gotten involved? What is Jordan’s Principle and how does it relate to what we’re talking about on the show this week? How has the pandemic affected the Indigenous communities this organization serves?

To learn more on all this and about things in this country, on this land, and how that expands into a greater movement around the world, check out this episode, in the glow of December 3, United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities. . The BCANDS celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2021 and they offer an individualized approach to the diversity of need that exists. Neil says "we’re often so reactive rather than proactive and change must include us all".

Indigenous peoples deal with so many things including around pipelines and the environment, residential schools, and lack of safe drinking water access and disability doesn’t get enough attention, though it’s intertwined with all these things, and this makes BCANDS an important resource doing necessary work. For more information, go to their website:

http://www.bcands.bc.ca