BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society - Achievements

 

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Some of the first achievements of the society occurred as early as 1989, when the First People's / People First Conference was held in Victoria, BC. This became the "springboard" to the many initiatives which have evolved over the past few years. The direction of what action should be taken comes directly from the disabled aboriginal people. Thus there has been a sense of pride and ownership on the part of the membership to the initiatives and successes of the completed works. Some of these include:

1989

First Peoples' / People First Conference

1990

Demographic Study of Disabled Aboriginal People in BC

1991

Founding of BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society

1992

  • Turning Tide Conference

  • Monthly Newsletter - "Voices & Visions", Ongoing Service

  • Commencement of toll-free inquiry line for Aboriginal people with disabilities

  • Information, Advocacy and Support Services - Ongoing

1993

  • Royal Commission on Aboriginal People - Survey of more than 362 Aboriginal Disabled people; Province-wide Assessment of Issues, Concerns, and Solutions

  • Formal presentation to Royal Commission Hearings

  • Presentation to the National Premier's Council Annual General Meeting

  • BC Provincial Directory of Programs & Services to Disabled Aboriginal People in BC

1994

  • A.F.N. - National Mental Health Conference Presentation

  • A.F.N. - Pathways to Holistic Health Presentation

  • Film Documentary - "Life is a Treasure" (46 minute Production)

  • Community Consultations - Education, Prevention, and Support

  • Resolution of Support from BC First Nations Summit Chiefs; accepted as Member to First Nations Summit Health Committee

  • Research Project - Ministry of Health Strategic Plan - Disabled Aboriginal Perspective

1995

  • BC Social Workers Core Training Ministry of Social Services

  • Client Information Management System, Resource Information Option developed

  • Community Consultations

  • "Barriers to Employment of Disabled Aboriginal People" report

  • "Impact of Sexual Abuse and Family Violence to Aboriginal People with Disabilities" report

  • Film Documentary - "Life is a Treasure, Version 2" (15 minute production)

1996

  • Community Consultations - Education, Prevention and Support

  • BC Social Workers Core Training, Ministry of Social Services, sensitizing workers to concerns of disabled Aboriginal people.

  • ASI - HALO Program (Aboriginal Strategic Initiative - Heightening Awareness Leading to Opportunity) funded by Human Resources Development Canada to assist disabled Aboriginal people prepare for employment. It operated in different sites in BC; Nuu-chah-hulth - Port Alberni; Carrier-Sekani - Prince George; and Squamish Nation - North Vancouver.

  • Role Model Poster, Campaign profiling Richard Peter, National/International Wheelchair Athlete

  • Coordination and hosting of Provincial First Nations Disabilities Conference, compiling information from participants and panel presentations.

  • Workshop presentations at local, provincial and national levels on Disability Issues within First Nations.

1997

  • With D.I.A.N.D. (Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development) prepare and distribute a female Role Model Poster profiling Trish McKay in Prince Rupert, and Paula Wesley of Kitsumkalum.

  • Numerous presentations for First Nations Summit Health Committee and collective body of First Nations

  • Initial negotiations with MSB, Health Canada regarding transfer of Health Resource Centre.

  • Attend and speak at a number of Assembly of First Nations Conferences on Social Policy

  • Conduct annual meeting and policy working groups as previous

  • Participated in a workshop on disability at Treaty Six in Edmonton, Alberta

  • Various initiatives for both levels of government.

  • Attending and participation in Human Resources Development Canada focus group on disability.

1998

  • Transfer of Health Canada Resource Centre to BCANDS in April 1998. This is the first time that a MSB Resource Centre has been transferred to a First Nations organization.

  • Technical Group for AFN Social Policy.

  • HALO Program Evaluation

  • Member of Human Resources Development Canada Advisory Forum on Disability

1999

  • Production of brochure and report on Sexual Abuse Intervention Program

  • Various presentations to Aboriginal Organizations, First Nations Summit, Assembly of First Nations, BC Human Rights, and associated disability organizations on Aboriginal People with Disabilities.

  • Participation on various government and non-government working committees on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and Aboriginal Health, BC Adult Injury Management Committee

  • Production of Review & Findings of HALO Pilot Project

  • Production of Research Report & Guide profiling Aboriginal people with disabilities who are successful entering the labour force, and training

  • Production of Resource Directory for Aboriginal People with Disabilities

  • Development of BCANDS Strategic Plan

  • Co-Chair of National Aboriginal Reference Group on Disability Issues

  • Development of a National Secretariat on Disability Issues, with the National Aboriginal Reference Group on Disability Issues, and Human Resource Development Canada

  • Commencement of video production profiling Aboriginal persons with disabilities who are successful in entering training and work

  • Establishment of Health Resource Centre Advisory Committee to guide BCANDS Aboriginal Health Resource Centre (production of Evaluation Plan).

  • Recruited former Governor General's wife, Diana Fowler Leblanc as an honorary patron

Based upon our observations, disabled aboriginal people are not asking for anything special. They are asking for what they are rightly entitled to; to be involved in the decisions which affect their lives.

Membership

Membership of the organization has grown from 125 people in 1992 to over 6100 people from all over BC, and western Canada.