Who we are:

The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society, or as more commonly known, BCANDS, is a provincial, not for profit, charitable Society serving the unique and diverse health, disability and informational needs of the First Nation and Aboriginal population of British Columbia. BCANDS is a “stand alone” organization and the only organization of its type in Canada.

Aboriginal persons in British Columbia and across Canada continue to deal with the generational effects that European contact has had on all aspects of our lives. It is well documented that the health status of Aboriginal people in British Columbia and Canada, is significantly lower than that of our non-Aboriginal population. Many Aboriginal communities are additionally affected by minimal economical and employment opportunities, community remoteness, limited community access to necessary health and social services, their associated professionals, limited community amenities and so forth. Demands and expectations placed on Aboriginal communities and organizational leadership are high from their membership, with their membership identifying multiple priorities within the community or organization all of which compete for any available financial resources. Understanding this, leadership within Aboriginal communities and organizations across British Columbia are often forced to make difficult decisions in regard to programs, services and specific funding allocations made available. Due to these important and ever increasing community and organizational needs, specialized disability and support services may be minimal with only limited resources available to the membership, leaving the disabled individual, their family and support system(s) at times frustrated.

BCANDS may be able to help.

BCANDS provides a vast array of services to eligible clients and organizations, both on and off reserve from any community located in the province of British Columbia. If you are an Aboriginal person with a disability, living in the province of British Columbia, BCANDS may be able to assist you in your health and disability service needs.

“BCANDS wishes to respectfully acknowledge the traditional territory of the Coast Salish Nation of Esquimalt on which our main office is located. We further wish to acknowledge those organizations and communities across British Columbia, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, who assist us in our work.”