Disabled Natives lobby for recognition

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Disabled Natives need recognition on a national level, through the Assembly of First Nations, said delegates at a recent health conference.

Representatives from several provincial associations made that clear at a national First Nations health conference Pathways to Holistic Health held in Calgary, Alberta, Nov. 27-30.

"If we had a national committee, we could achieve our goals," said Ian Hinksman, president of the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society.

Hinksman pointed out that some First Nations leaders and the provincial and federal government already have begun to support the society.

"That support, however, must grow, said Hinksman.

"When the national leaders of First Nations begin to develop their framework for Pathways to Healing, we urge them to remember to consider the disabled Aboriginal people," he said.

Too often, disabled Aboriginal people find that accessing services is frustrating because of jurisdictional grey areas at the reserve, provincial and federal governments levels.

"We are always being bounced around from one agency to another," explained one disabled conference delegate.

Often, too, disabled people must leave their homes on the reserve and move to urban areas to access services.

"A lot of parents want to keep our kids at home," expressed one parent. "Our hands are tied because of resources."

According to a 1991 survey done by Health and Welfare Canada, the rate of disability is higher among Aboriginal peoples than other Canadians. Between the ages 35 to 54, for example, 34 per cent of all Aboriginal people suffer from some disability compared to the national average of 14 per cent.

Diabetes, heart problems and arthritis are the three major disabilities affecting Aboriginal people in Canada.

To help disabled people receive the support they need, Archie King, advocate for the Saskatchewan First Nations Network on Disabilities said the rights of a disabled person should be made a statutory entitlement.

Oliver Cardinal, president of the Aboriginal Disabilities Society of Alberta, said he was encouraged after meeting informally with AFN National Chief Ovide Mercredi during the conference.

"We have to talk to tribal leaders," said Cardinal.

During a disability circle hosted by the first Nations Health Commission, disabled persons and caregivers had an opportunity to present their concerns to an AFN representative.

Involvement at the local level, backed by support from chiefs and elders, was the key point made by several circle participants.

"The needs should be drawn from the ground up, but there has to be a commitment from the leadership," said Shirley Bigney, vice-president of the Aboriginal Disabilities Society and president of the Calgary Native Disabled Society.

Pathways to Holistic Health was co-hosted by the First Nations Health Commission of the Assembly of First Nations and the Alberta Indian Health Care Commission.