Indigenous Disability Supports in Alberta

Alberta is home to a growing network of services designed to support Indigenous peoples with disabilities in culturally safe and effective ways. Below are just a few valuable resources:

Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA)
Support Line: 1-844-944-4744. Offers help navigating healthcare, mental health services, and community-based supports.

Indigenous Patient Navigators
Available through Alberta Health Services (AHS), these navigators assist with communication, cultural safety, and accessibility when accessing care.

Indian Affairs Hope for Wellness number to speak with an indigenous perfson in the health sector 1-855-242-3310

Voices from the Community
Elder Leroy Littlebear, respected knowledge keeper from the Kainai Nation, reminds us of the deep connections between Indigenous culture and inclusion:

“The land is a sacred trust from the Creator. The land is the giver of life like a mother… traditional knowledge… are all connected to the land.”

While not specific to disability, his teachings remind us that holistic inclusion must respect Indigenous perspectives on community, wellness, and belonging.
The GRIT Program Alberta shared this during Indigenous Disability Awareness Month 2024:

“This month, we recognize and celebrate the achievements, resilience, and contributions of Indigenous people with disabilities across Canada… Indigenous persons with disabilities face unique challenges… but their contributions are invaluable to our communities.”

What Can You Do?
Learn: Visit Indigenous Disability Canada / BCANDS to learn more about IDAM.

Share: Amplify Indigenous disability voices on social media.

Support: Partner with local Indigenous-led disability initiatives.

Reflect: Consider how VAD and our community can better integrate reconciliation into disability services year-round.

For questions, partnerships, or to share your voice as an Indigenous person with a disability, contact us at:vad@vadsociety.ca | 780-488-9088