Overview

The organization was founded in July 1991, to deal specifically with the issues of Aboriginal People with special needs.

Quote from the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of Secretary of State, Children & Youth (in an address to the BCANDS General Assembly Oct. 1995):

... "There are few situations more challenging or more pressing than the plight of Aboriginal people living with disabilities. According to Stats Canada, about 15% of the general population are people with disabilities. We have to double that figure to get a measure of how much more serious the issues are in Aboriginal communities. Thirty-one percent of our community members live with a disability - almost a third of our population are leading lives of quiet desperation. This reality influences the life of the entire community. In Canada, we are a democracy and we are judged not only how we treat everyone but on how we treat the people who need the help the most. The weakest, and the people that are most marginalized."

Our organization is unique, as we are aboriginal persons with special needs, directing and controlling the organization.

We feel that this organization is taking a leadership role in bringing greater awareness to the plight of the disabled.

Mainstream society cannot ignore the reality that there is a need for improvement of services for Aboriginal people. Culturally appropriate programming must include, benefit and improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people with disabilities. We wish to work in cooperation with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal existing agencies, and all levels of government to address inequities.

In order to promote the Betterment of Aboriginal People with Disabilities, we maintain Aboriginal Provincial community consultations to introduce BCANDS and provide opportunities for the disabled to network. These community consultations are used as vehicles to gather information and propose changes to government and other service delivery agencies.

BCANDS is an independent, non-political, non-profit society in good standing, recently approved as a Registered Charity (1994). In January 2004, the membership exceeded 3,500 individuals from all parts of BC. By the end of January 2005, this number approached 4,500.

"Voices and Visions", a monthly newsletter, is sent to each member, keeping them informed of current events and issues. A concerted effort has been made from the beginning to structure the Board to represent all of the geographic regions of the province. There has been no restriction on membership based on geographic residency.

Society activities commenced informally in 1987 by then President, Mr. Ian Hinksman. Ian and other First Nations people with disabilities came together to promote greater awareness of the plight of aboriginal people with disabilities. To this day the society is focusing its energy and sights on this goal.

We wish to work in cooperation with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal existing agencies, and all levels of government to address inequities.

Purposes

• identify and establish contact with Disabled Aboriginals
• conduct research on the needs of Disabled Aboriginals and the resources available to meet these needs
• make the results of the Society's research available to appropriate agencies and organizations to assist them in their service delivery to Disabled Aboriginals, and in their development of more effective or appropriate services
• make the results of the Society's research available directly to Disabled Aboriginals and to educate and train them to access and make use of services currently available to them
• develop culturally appropriate programs, services and materials which will benefit disabled aboriginal people
• establish a resource centre
• encourage and foster a cooperative relationship amongst various members of the aboriginal community
• make representations to all levels of government on matters affecting disabled aboriginal people
• establish partnerships with government or appropriate agencies which support the Society's purposes
• receive funds and any other assets by way of gifts, donations, grants, contribution agreement, loans or other investments from public or private sources
• promote in any manner considered desirable by the Society the principal aims set out above