Presidents Group Recognizes Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM)

Presidents Group, on behalf of our member companies, alongside many other organizations and our provincial government, recognize November 2021 as Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM).

Indigenous peoples of Canada experience a disability rate significantly higher than that of the general population.

This month was created to highlight and celebrate the unique contributions First Nations, Métis and Inuit people with disabilities make to communities throughout the province, and across Canada.

Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) was created by BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) in 2015, and 2021 is it’s 7th anniversary! You can learn more about BCANDS, a member of our Community of Accessible Employers, on their website.

Our co-chairs Robin Silvester and Lisa Beecroft have signed the official proclamation on behalf of Presidents Group (see below) and we encourage your organization to do the same and spread awareness of this important month.

Image Description of Proclamation:

WHEREAS Indigenous peoples living with disabilities often face unique barriers that impact their ability to fully participate in the social and economic opportunities available in our communities. And

WHEREAS we are committed to the ideal of an inclusive society based on respect and understanding, where Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) living with disabilities and the significant contributions they provide to our communities, organizations, provinces., territories and country are recognized, celebrated, and valued. And

WHEREAS we are committed to upholding and safeguarding the principles outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), including full and effective participation and inclusion in society, equality of opportunity, and the United Nations CRPD International Committee’s recommendation to Canada to proclaim and recognize November each year as Indigenous Disability Awareness Month. And

WHEREAS we wish to recognize and support the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society’s creation of Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) and join governments, urban and rural Indigenous communities, disability organizations, individuals living with disabilities and their families, from across the country, in recognizing and celebrating these diverse and vital members of our communities.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that we, Presidents Group, do hereby proclaim and declare annually the month of November as:

Indigenous Disability Awareness Month.

Dated this 8th day of November, 2021.

Lisa Beecroft, Co-Chair, and Robin Silvester, Co-Chair.