

Indigenous Disability Canada's (IDC) 2024
Indigenous Disability and Wellness Gathering
Victoria, BC
The Gathering

The 2024 Gathering will be held in Victoria, BC and on the ancestral lands of the Lekwungen People. We will be celebrating Indigenous Disability Canada's (IDC) / British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society's (BCANDS') 31st anniversary and the 10th anniversary of Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) being recognized and proclaimed.
The Gathering brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments, leadership, service providers, community members and others to learn, connect, and collaborate in addressing the unique barriers Indigenous peoples with disabilities face. We will continue to take the necessary steps forward in dismantling both historical and current barriers, and the attitudes and perceptions that negatively impact Indigenous peoples living with disabilities. By forming new and expanded partnerships, we can collaborate and identify the best practices for the broader disability and health sectors.
Together, we will help shape a Canada that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of all peoples and abilities.

Why should we gather together?
Indigenous persons living with a disability often face many unique jurisdictional barriers, restrictive policies, and discrimination when seeking necessary supports for their specific disability-related needs. These factors, and others, contribute to the exclusion and the lack of recognition of Indigenous persons living with a disability as equal members in our society. This population continues to be marginalized, with the world-wide pandemic further amplifying these conditions.
Statistics Canada notes that the frequency of disabilities among Indigenous persons is higher than the national average, which is conservatively estimated at 30%. Other research suggests the overall disability rates for Indigenous peoples in Canada is up to three times higher than the national rate within some age groups. It is also known that the prevalence of disabilities and the likelihood of becoming disabled for Indigenous women in impoverished populations, significantly increases. In 2016, Statistics Canada also stated that 4 out of 5 First Nation communities have a median income below the poverty line.
BENEFITS OF ATTENDING THE 2024 GATHERING
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Learn about the latest news and initiatives relating to Indigenous disability and wellness in Canada;
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Participate in the 8th anniversary Indigenous Disability Awareness Month;
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Learn from Indigenous and non-Indigenous leadership, service providers, advocates, governments about the barriers, priorities, and opportunities relevant to your organization and / or community;
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Interact with Gathering Speakers, Delegates, Colleagues and Vendors in the Indigenous disability sector from across Canada;
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Experience on-site disability and health information and resources at the numerous Vendor tables;
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Enjoy a welcome Gathering bag with information and swag, three hot breakfasts, three hot lunches, beverage breaks, daily door prizes and more;
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Enjoy the Wednesday evening Mix & Mingle Social, including traditional dance;
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Attend the presentation of the IDC / BCANDS 2022 National Indigenous Partnership Award; and
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Enjoy the numerous attractions beautiful Victoria has to offer
Agenda
Set Up | Coming Soon!
4 - 7 pm
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Vendor registration and set up
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Vendor Meet & Greet Social (7-8p) TBC
Day One | Coming Soon!
8 - 9 am
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9 - 10:00 am
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10:00 - 10:30 am
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10:30 am - 12 pm
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12 - 1 pm
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1 - 2:30 pm
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2:30 - 3 pm
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3 - 4:30 pm
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4:30 - 4:45 pm
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Closing Comments on the day's activities
Day Two | Coming Soon!
8 - 9 am
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9 - 10:00 am
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10:00 - 10:30 am
10:30 am - 12 pm
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12 - 1 pm
1 - 2:30 pm
2:30 - 3 pm
3 - 4:30 pm
4:30 - 6:00
6 - 9 pm
Day Three | Coming Soon!
8 - 9 am
9 - 10:00 am
10:00 - 10:30 am
10:30 am - 12 pm
12 - 1 pm
1 - 2:30 pm
2:30 - 3 pm
3 - 4:30 pm
4:30 - 4:45 pm
Guest Speakers
Coming Soon!
Guest Speakers
Coming Soon!
2024 Sponsors & Vendors
Sponsors
Exhibitors
About Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC)
The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) now largely operating as Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC) is an internationally recognized, award-winning, not-for-profit Indigenous disability organization. IDC / BCANDS provides disability related programs and services across Canada and holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations since 2018.
Mission
Advancing the unique disability and health priorities of Indigenous persons through collaboration, consultation, and the delivery of comprehensive client services.
Vision
An inclusive and accessible Canada for all Indigenous persons and families living with disabilities where their disability and health priorities / needs are identified, planned for and addressed through relevant, responsive and holistic programs, services and policies.
Programs & Services
IDC / BCANDS engages in a variety of services and initiatives to assist Indigenous individuals and families living with disabilities. Some of these include:
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Indigenous Registered Disability Savings Plan Navigation Program
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Secretariat Organization - Convention on the Rights of Persons living with Disabilities (CRPD)
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First Nation Persons with Disabilities / Monthly Nutritional Supplement Benefit Program
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First Nation Research / Engagement / Awareness - Accessible Canada Act / Accessible Standards Canada
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Indigenous Disability Employment Initiative
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Support for Indigenous Student Learning Program
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Jordan's Principle Provincial Program
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Indigenous Disability Awareness Month Activities (IDAM)
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National Indigenous AccessAbility Week promotion
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Government liaison, consultation and collaboration
For more information: www.bcands.bc.ca









