
2026 Gathering Code of Conduct
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IDC/BCANDS is committed to providing safe and welcoming environments for all who participate in the 2026 Gathering. IDC/BCANDS prohibits and will not tolerate any form of harassment, bullying, or discrimination. Our goal is to have the 2026 Gathering as inclusive and enjoyable as possible for all of our attendees.
PROHIBITED CONDUCT
Violations of this Code include, but are not limited to, the following:
Discriminatory conduct based on race, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, ethnicity, political affiliation, religion, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law;
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Harassment, meaning unwelcome or offensive verbal comments, visual displays, or physical contact directed at any Gathering participant, including conduct, comments or images that a person would reasonably find offensive.
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Sexual harassment, meaning unwelcome, unsolicited, and unreciprocated sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other physical conduct, comments, or gestures of a sexual nature that has or that might reasonably be expected to be perceived to offend, humiliate, or intimidate another person;
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Deliberate intimidation, threatening, stalking, or following;
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Conducting oneself in a manner that is unruly, disruptive, or unprofessional, or that endangers the health or safety of yourself or others, including alcohol over-intoxication or overindulgence;
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Actual or threatened pushing, shoving, or use of any physical force or weapon of any kind against any person;
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Possession of prohibited items, including, but not limited to, weapons of any kind (including knives, firearms, or other items that may cause harm to others), illegal drugs, or alcohol not served by venue personnel, IDC/BCANDS staff, or officially designated IDC/BCANDS suppliers.
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Destruction, theft, dismantlement, defacement, abuse or intentional misuse of IDC/BCANDS or IDC/BCANDS contracted venues, property, equipment, signage or supplies;
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Failure to comply with directions of IDC/BCANDS Gathering staff or Event venue personnel,
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Retaliation or threat of retaliation against participants for reporting activity that they reasonably believed to be in violation of this Code; and
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Knowingly and falsely reporting violations of this Code in bad faith.
This Code is not intended to be all inclusive, and it is likely there will be conduct issues that it does not specifically address. In that event, as in all others, participants are expected to follow the 2026 Gathering Coordinator directions who will take appropriate action to ensure the safety, security and well-being of participants.
IDC/BCANDS has a zero-tolerance policy regarding prohibited conduct. Participants asked to stop any inappropriate conduct are expected to comply immediately. IDC/BCANDS, in its sole discretion, will determine the nature of the participant’s conduct that warrants corrective action as well as the corrective action to be taken. Corrective action may take any of the following forms: verbal warning; expulsion from the 2026 Gathering without a refund or credit; bar from future IDC/BCANDS events; and/or notifying appropriate authorities, including participant’s employer. The decision(s) of IDC/BCANDS are final.​
Registration
Who Should Attend the Gathering?
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Indigenous Leaders
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Disability Service Providers
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Indigenous, Provincial, Territorial, Federal, and Municipal Government's
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Disability, Health, and Accessibility-related Departments
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Indigenous Social Development and Health Programs
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Indigenous Health Directors / Leads
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Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
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Policy Makers
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Program Managers
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Psychologists
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Public Guardians & Trustees
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Researchers
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Social Workers
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Individuals and Families with Disabilities
The 2026 Gathering would interest any individual, organization, or other stakeholders interested in Indigenous disability and wellness, whether as an individual, family, professional, leader, or those representing Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and organizations.
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We look forward to seeing you in November 2026!
Delegate Registrations - *IDC/BCANDS reserves the right to deny/reject any registration, at its discretion
Early Bird Registration
Available September 1st, 2025, until March 31, 2026
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Regular Registration
Available from April 1, 2026, until November 10, 2026
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All Delegates will enjoy the following at the 2026 Gathering:
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2026 Gathering tote bag and swag
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Access to all three days of Gathering sessions
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Access to Vendor / Exhibitor tables
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Breakfast all three days of the Gathering
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Lunch all three days of the Gathering
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Morning and afternoon coffee service, all three days of the Gathering
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Daily Networking opportunities
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Daily Door Prizes
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Wednesday, November 25th evening Mix & Mingle Social, including presentation of the IDC / BCANDS 2026 Indigenous Partnership Award, traditional entertainment, finger foods, and cash bar
* Delegates are solely responsible for all other expenses in relation to attending the 2026 Gathering, which are not included in the Delegate registration fee. This includes but is not limited to, travel costs to attend, accommodations, meals (not provided in the registration), entertainment, electrical power at the Gathering, exhibit/vendor purchases, etc.
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Vendor / Exhibitor Registrations - *IDC/BCANDS reserves the right to deny/reject any registration at its discretion
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Early Bird Registration - Non-Profit & For-Profit Vendor
Available September 1st 2025, until March 31, 2026
*Non-Profit Vendor - Regular Registration
Available from September 1st 2025, until March 31, 2026
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*For-Profit Vendor - Regular Registration
Available from April 1, 2026, until November 10, 2026
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*All registration fees are for one Vendor / Exhibitor Table and one person only. Should you wish to have more than one person at your table, they must register and pay as a Delegate, no exceptions.
All Vendors / Exhibitors will enjoy the following at the 2026 Gathering:
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2026 Gathering tote bag and swag
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Skirted Vendor / Exhibitor Table and one (1) chair
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Access to all three days of Gathering sessions
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Access to Gathering Delegates
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Access to Vendor / Exhibitor tables
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Breakfast all three days of the Gathering
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Lunch all three days of the Gathering
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Morning and afternoon coffee service on all three days of the Gathering
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Daily Networking opportunities
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Daily Door Prizes
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Wednesday, November 25th evening Mix and Mingle Social (includes presentation of the IDC / BCANDS 2026 Indigenous Partnership Award, traditional entertainment, finger foods, and cash bar)
* Vendors / Exhibitors are solely responsible for all other expenses in relation to attending the 2026 Gathering not included in the Vendor / Exhibitor registration fee. This includes, but is not limited to, travel costs to attend, accommodations, meals (not provided in the registration), entertainment, electrical power at the Gathering, exhibit/vendor purchases, etc. Registration for a Vendor / Exhibitor is for one person only.
If you wish to have an additional person at your Vendor / Exhibitor Table, they must register and pay to attend the Gathering as a Delegate, no exceptions
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PAYMENT POLICY
Full payment of Vendor registration must be received and payment cleared no later than November 15, 2026
Full Payment of Delegate registration must be received and payment cleared no later than November 15, 2026
In order to attend the 2024 Gathering, payments can be made by cheque payable to:
British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
#6 - 1610 Island Highway
Victoria, British Columbia - V9B 1H8
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*Payments will be accepted until November 15, 2026, at which time, late payments may result in denied access to the Gathering.
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CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY
A full refund for the 2026 Gathering registration, less a $50 processing fee, will be honoured if cancellation is received no later than November 1st, 2026.
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No refunds will be issued for cancellations requested after November 1st, 2026
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All registration cancellations must be received in writing. Email cancellation notice to Gathering 2026
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No refunds will be issued for no-shows
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REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION - *IDC/BCANDS reserves the right to deny/reject any registration at its discretion
A registration confirmation e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address you provide, shortly followed by an invoice. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail within 5 days, please check your spam folder first. If the e-mail is not there, then contact us by
telephone: (250) 381 7303 ext. 202 or Toll-Free: 1 - 888 - 815 - 5511 ext. or by email to gathering@bcands.bc.ca
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* During the 2026 Gathering IDC / BCANDS will be documenting the event. By registering, you understand and agree to give Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC) / British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) permission to use images (including videos and sound recordings) of you at the event, which may be included in future IDC / BCANDS advertising, promotion, marketing and reporting. You understand that your personal information, including images of you, is being collected pursuant to section 26 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 165. You consent to your name provided by you to IDC / BCANDS being displayed in connection with the appearance of your Image. You consent to images of you being stored, accessed, or disclosed outside of Canada.