National Indigenous Disability Awareness Month 2025

National Indigenous Disability Awareness Month 2025

What is National Indigenous Disability Awareness Month?

Every November, Canada celebrates National Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM). This month is a time to honour the important work that Indigenous people with disabilities (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) do while also raising awareness of the unique challenges they face when trying to access services, opportunities, and full participation in society.

IDAM was made in 2015 by Indigenous Disability Canada and the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (IDC/BCANDS). It is a way to promote inclusion, accessibility, and fairness for Indigenous people with disabilities in Canada and around the world.

This important month of awareness will be 11 years old in November 2025.

History and Acknowledgment

In early 2015, IDC/BCANDS started working on creating Indigenous Disability Awareness Month. They first received support and recognition from the government of British Columbia, the First Nations Summit, and the Métis Nation British Columbia. In the fall of 2015, the government of British Columbia made November Indigenous Disability Awareness Month official. This was the first province to do so.

Since then, more recognition has come from:

  • 2016: The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) passed a resolution at an AFN Chiefs Assembly that officially recognized and declared the month. Saskatchewan also officially declared IDAM.

  • 2021: The governments of Manitoba and the Canadian capital cities of Victoria, Edmonton, Regina, St. John's, Halifax, Fredericton, Toronto, and Ottawa all officially recognized and declared the month.

  • 2017: The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities suggested that Canada officially declare and recognize Indigenous Disability Awareness Month every year.

IDAM is thought to be the only recognized observance for Indigenous people with disabilities around the world. This shows how important it is to deal with the specific problems that disabled Indigenous people face.

Understanding Disability in Indigenous Communities

The Numbers Tell an Important Story

Compared to the general population, Indigenous people in Canada have much higher rates of disability:

  • More than 30% of Indigenous Canadians aged 15 and older have a disability, while only 22% of all Canadians aged 15 and older have one.

  • The disability rate among Indigenous people in Canada is much higher than that of the general population, at about 30% to 35%.

  • Even after taking into account differences in age, geography, and population centre size, First Nations people living off reserve and Métis had higher rates of disability than non-Indigenous people.

Different Kinds of Disabilities

Pain-related conditions were the most common among all Indigenous groups. But Indigenous peoples have a wide range of disabilities, such as:

  • Physical impairments that affect the body

  • Sensory challenges, such as problems with hearing and seeing

  • Mental health-related conditions 

  • Cognitive impairments

  • Long-term pain issues

  • Learning difficulties

Mild disabilities were the most common among all three Indigenous groups and for both men and women. However, many people have more than one challenge at the same time.

The Link Between Mental Health and Young People

The intersection of disability and mental health is especially important in Indigenous communities:

  • In 2017, 48.9% of Indigenous youth indicated that their mental health was either excellent or very good, a figure that is lower than that of Indigenous individuals aged 25 to 44 years (53.7%).

  • Indigenous youth were more likely than older people to have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

  • In the country, Indigenous youth are 5 to 8 times more likely to kill themselves than non-Indigenous youth.

These numbers show how important it is to have culturally appropriate mental health and disability services for Indigenous youth all over Canada.

What is the significance of National Indigenous Disability Awareness Month?

Honouring Contributions and Strength

IDAM raises awareness and honours the important social, economic, and cultural contributions that Indigenous people with disabilities make to our communities. Indigenous people with disabilities show amazing strength, resilience, and cultural pride, even though they face systemic barriers.

IDAM honours the accomplishments of Indigenous people with disabilities and acknowledges the important and useful ways they help our communities every day in terms of culture, economy, and social life.

Dealing with Systemic Barriers

IDAM brings attention to the important and complicated problems that Indigenous people with disabilities face.

  • Access to Healthcare: These barriers stem from the social determinants of health and are exacerbated by a legacy of colonial violence, resulting in intricate, intersectional challenges affecting mental and physical health.

  • Geographic Isolation: Many Indigenous communities are far away from each other, which makes it harder to get specialized disability services and healthcare.

  • Cultural Safety: The demand for services that honour and integrate Indigenous cultures, traditions, and comprehensive wellness methodologies.

  • Economic Barriers: The overall poverty rate was 9.9%, but the rates for Indigenous Peoples (17.2%) and people with disabilities (12.3%) were higher.

Backing Up Government Action

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act) got Royal Assent on June 21, 2021, and it went into effect right away. This law helps put the UN Declaration into action, which is an important step in rebuilding Canada's relationship with Indigenous peoples.

In August 2025, the fourth annual progress report on the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was presented. It talked about important things that happened and problems that came up in the past year.

The UN Declaration Act Action Plan has specific steps to make sure that the rights of Indigenous people with disabilities are respected in government programs, policies, and services. This is all part of the effort to make workplaces and communities more welcoming.

Unique Challenges Faced by Indigenous Persons with Disabilities

Multiple Intersecting Barriers

Indigenous persons who experience disability often face additional barriers and discrimination when seeking support for their disability-related needs. These barriers include:

  • Employment Barriers: Indigenous Canadians who experience disability encounter multiple barriers around employment, and each community faces unique challenges. Along with systemic discrimination, other challenges can include lack of childcare, transportation, and employer flexibility around community celebrations and observances.

  • Service Access: Limited availability of culturally appropriate services, particularly in remote and rural areas.

  • Housing Insecurity: Higher rates of housing instability and homelessness.

  • Educational Gaps: Barriers to accessing accommodations and support in educational settings.

The Impact of Historical Trauma

The legacy of colonialism, residential schools, and the Sixties Scoop continues to impact Indigenous communities today. The long-lasting and intergenerational adverse effects of residential schools on the physical and mental health of Indigenous populations are well-documented.

This historical trauma compounds the challenges faced by Indigenous persons with disabilities and contributes to higher rates of mental health conditions and substance use disorders in some communities.

Healthcare Disparities

Disability is tied to the social determinants of health, which include income and social protection, unemployment and job insecurity, working life conditions, and social inclusion and non-discrimination.

Many remote Indigenous communities lack adequate healthcare infrastructure, specialized disability services, and mental health professionals, creating significant gaps in care for Indigenous persons with disabilities.

How to Observe National Indigenous Disability Awareness Month

For Individuals

  1. Educate Yourself: Take time to learn about the experiences and unique challenges faced by Indigenous individuals with disabilities. Understanding is the foundation for meaningful change and advocacy.

  2. Attend Local Events: Participate in IDAM events organized by Indigenous organizations or disability advocacy groups in your community. Check with local Indigenous cultural centers, friendship centers, or organizations like BCANDS for November programming.

  3. Amplify Indigenous Voices: Follow and share content from Indigenous disability advocates and organizations on social media. Use hashtags like #IDAM2025 to spread awareness.

  4. Support Indigenous-Owned Businesses: Seek out and support businesses owned by Indigenous persons with disabilities. Your economic support makes a direct difference.

  5. Practice Cultural Humility: Recognize that healing and wellness look different in Indigenous communities. Respect traditional healing practices and holistic approaches to disability and mental health.

  6. Advocate for Change: Contact your local politicians and decision-makers to advocate for improved accessibility, healthcare services, and supports for Indigenous persons with disabilities.

For Organizations and Communities

  1. Issue an Official Proclamation: Show your organization's or community's support by recognizing and proclaiming IDAM annually. Join countless supporters across Canada and internationally by filling out your own proclamation statement and sharing it widely. Download the 2025 IDAM Proclamation from BCANDS.

  2. Host Educational Workshops: Organize panels or presentations featuring speakers from the Indigenous disability community who can share their lived experiences and insights.

  3. Review Accessibility: Conduct an accessibility audit of your workplace or organization to identify and remove barriers that may prevent Indigenous persons with disabilities from full participation.

  4. Develop Cultural Safety Policies: Implement policies that ensure Indigenous persons with disabilities feel safe, respected, and supported in your organization.

  5. Create Employment Opportunities: Pilot promising supported employment programs that are more relational and culturally appropriate to address employment barriers faced by Indigenous persons with disabilities.

  6. Partner with Indigenous Organizations: Establish partnerships with local Indigenous disability organizations to ensure your programs and services are culturally safe and responsive to community needs.

For Educators and Schools

  1. Integrate IDAM into Curriculum: Teach students about Indigenous disability awareness through age-appropriate lessons that celebrate diversity and promote inclusion.

  2. Invite Guest Speakers: Connect with local Indigenous communities to invite speakers who can share their experiences and perspectives with students.

  3. Display IDAM Materials: Download and display the 2025 IDAM poster in classrooms and common areas to raise awareness.

  4. Review Accommodation Processes: Ensure that Indigenous students with disabilities have equitable access to accommodations and support services.

  5. Promote Cultural Connection: Recognize that connection to culture, language, and community can be protective factors for Indigenous youth with disabilities.

Resources and Support

National Organizations

  • British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS): The creators of IDAM provide advocacy, education, and community-building efforts. Visit bcands.bc.ca or email bcands@bcands.bc.ca

  • Assembly of First Nations (AFN): Represents First Nations citizens in Canada

  • Métis Nation: Organizations serving Métis peoples across Canada

  • Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami: The national representational organization for Inuit in Canada

Crisis Support Resources

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available:

  • Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310 (available 24/7 for Indigenous peoples across Canada)

  • Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868

  • Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7)

  • Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7)

For a comprehensive list of crisis supports in Canada and internationally, visit YMHC's Crisis Supports page.

YMHC Resources for Indigenous Individuals and Communities

Youth Mental Health Canada is dedicated to supporting Indigenous individuals across Canada through a variety of accessible resources:

Mental Wellness Resources

Specific Support Tools

Support Services

YMHC offers several free support services:

For Professionals and Educators

School-Specific Resources

Moving Forward Together

National Indigenous Disability Awareness Month 2025 is an opportunity for all Canadians to commit to creating a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable society for Indigenous persons with disabilities.

By celebrating the strength and contributions of Indigenous peoples living with disabilities, addressing systemic barriers, and taking concrete action to improve access to services and opportunities, we move closer to reconciliation and justice.

Take Action This November

This November, commit to one or more of the following actions:

  1. Learn about the history and experiences of Indigenous persons with disabilities

  2. Support Indigenous-led disability organizations through donations or volunteering

  3. Advocate for policy changes that address healthcare, employment, and accessibility barriers

  4. Attend an IDAM event or webinar (follow @BCANDS1 on social media for updates)

  5. Share YMHC resources with Indigenous individuals, families, and communities who might benefit

Looking Ahead

During the 11th anniversary of Indigenous Disability Awareness Month, consider joining the 2026 National Indigenous Disability and Wellness Gathering in Victoria as a delegate or vendor. This gathering brings together Indigenous persons with disabilities, advocates, healthcare providers, and community members to share knowledge, celebrate achievements, and work toward collective solutions.

Support YMHC's Work

Youth Mental Health Canada provides free mental wellness resources to Indigenous communities across Canada. Your support helps us continue this vital work.

Ways to Support:

Together, we can build a Canada where Indigenous persons with disabilities have the support, services, and opportunities they need to thrive.

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