CAP

Today, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) joins Indigenous peoples and allies across the country in marking National Indigenous Peoples Day, a moment to celebrate the rich cultures, languages, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples across the country ⚖️📣, and to reflect honestly on the work that remains.

For many Indigenous peoples, this day carries both pride and a persistent call to action. Our communities are vibrant and resilient, and they deserve the same recognition, resources, and partnership from the federal government as any other Indigenous community in Canada.

On this day, CAP renews its call for Canada to fully implement the promise of Daniels v. Canada and ensure non-status and off-reserve Indigenous peoples have a seat at every table where decisions about their lives are made. Nearly a decade later, gaps remain, and too many continue to face barriers to programs and services often designed without their realities in mind.

Reconciliation requires more than acknowledgement, it requires presence. With most Indigenous peoples living off reserve, exclusion from key policy discussions continues to have real consequences.

CAP calls on Canada to ensure no Indigenous peoples are left out of the decisions that shape their lives 📣⚖️.

🧡♿ As National AccessAbility Week comes to a close, we celebrate the strength, leadership, resilience, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples with disabilities across Canada. 🪶

Through CAP’s engagement work, community voices continue to make one thing clear: our communities know what is needed to create meaningful change.

Community members called for:
🏥 Culturally safe healthcare
🏠 Accessible housing
⚖️ Equitable funding
🤝 Indigenous informed services
🧡 Policies grounded in self determination
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Support for single mothers, caregivers and families
💼 Economic inclusion and accessible employment
🏳️‍⚧️ Inclusion of Two Spirit, transgender, and gender diverse Indigenous Peoples with disabilities

Nothing about us without us must include all off-reserve, status and non-status Indigenous Peoples with disabilities across Canada.

Accessibility is a commitment to equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice. It means ensuring every person can access the supports they need, participate fully in community life, and be valued for who they are.

Building a strong and accessible Canada means ensuring every person can belong exactly as they are.

Accessibility cannot be built for communities. It must be built with communities. Together, we are stronger. 🤝

At CAP, we know accessibility is about more than ramps, elevators, and accommodations. It is about ensuring Indigenous Peoples with disabilities have equitable access to healthcare, housing, education, employment, culture, language, and community.

Did you know? In 2017, disabilities affecting daily activities were reported by 32% of First Nations, 30% of Métis, and 19% of Inuit peoples living off reserve.

Indigenous Peoples continue to face higher rates of disability, and too many barriers remain. Accessibility cannot be separated from reconciliation.

Building a strong and accessible Canada means ensuring no one is left behind. It means recognizing that accessibility must be cultural, emotional, spiritual, and physical.

A truly accessible Canada recognizes the unique realities of off-reserve and non-status Indigenous Peoples living with disabilities.

When Indigenous voices lead, stronger and more inclusive communities follow.

Together, we can build communities where Indigenous Peoples with disabilities are valued, supported, empowered to thrive, and where disability justice is advanced for future generations.