Incorporated as a Society in 1991 and now in its 3st year, BCANDS is governed by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors who receive no remuneration / honorarium for their governance services. Representatives serving on the BCANDS Board of Directors are located across British Columbia from both urban and Indigenous communities.
The BCANDS Board of Directors meets quarterly or as needed, in order to receive accurate and up-to-date knowledge and information on organizational activities, while ensuring the fiscally responsible, transparent, comprehensive and relevant operations of the Society which is demanded and expected by our clients, our membership and our funding partners.
2024-25 BCANDS Board of Directors
Mr. Stephen Lytton BCANDS Board President
Stephen’s Bio – Stephen is a member of the Lytton First Nation. Stephen is a residential school survivor, having spent 13 years in St. George’s Residential School and is also a person who lives with a disability. Stephen is an accomplished actor, writer and presenter, who has presented both in western and eastern Canada to various groups regarding his personal experiences in residential school as an Indigenous person living with a disability. Stephen enjoys all people he meets, poetry and creative writing. Stephen believes that the arts are one of many ways to build bridges both culturally and socially. Stephen’s favourite quote, by Mary C. Crowley, is “Attitude is the paint brush that colours your world.”
To read Stephen’s story / presentation please click the links below.
The Language of Love – Short Documentary
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Mr. Ray McGuire BCANDS Director
Ray’s Bio – Ray is a member of the Choctaw Nation, located in Oklahoma, U.S.A. Ray enjoys a long history of working and volunteering with Indigenous communities both within British Columbia and in Alberta. As a registered Social Worker, contractor and consultant within British Columbia, Ray has been involved in a number of local, regional, and provincial initiatives within both the Indigenous disability and health sectors. Ray brings a wealth of knowledge, experience to the BCANDS Board of Directors and is well known, respected and recognized for his work across the province.
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Mr. Tom Morrow BCANDS Director
Tom’s Bio – Tom is a member of the Lyackson First Nation and has a long association with BCANDS through his volunteer work with the Society. Tom brings a wealth of information and insight into the barriers and priorities of Indigenous individuals and communities as it relates to health and disability related needs and services.
In addition to our dedicated Board of Directors, BCANDS is very privileged to enjoy the support of the following Honorary Patrons. These Patrons are committed to the provision of accessible, quality and relevant Indigenous disability and health information / resource and support services available to all Indigenous persons and communities within British Columbia:
BCANDS Honorary Patrons
Seenupin – The Late Chief Andy Thomas Esquimalt First Nation
The Late George Watts – Tseshaht First Nation
Rick Hansen – C.C. OBC. CEO – Rick Hansen Foundation
Diana Fowler LeBlanc – C.C., B.S.W., D.U.
Chief Simon Lucas Hesquiaht First Nation
BCANDS would also like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work performed by the late Ian Hinksman, Mike Touchie and the entire first BCANDS Board of Directors. Collectively they took the dream of an organization dedicated to assisting the health resource and disability needs of Indigenous persons and communities within British Columbia and made that dream into a reality. You, your work and your efforts are not forgotten and is reflected in the work that we do today. Thank you!