Saskatchewan First Nations
Family and Community Institute
Research

Disability Initiatives Research

The goal of the Disability Initiatives Research Project is to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling related to discrimination and First Nations child welfare. It aims to increase awareness of disabilities which are often ignored, identify and close service gaps to address these disabilities, and provide resources and training for those who work with individuals affected by these disabilities.

Autism Disorder

SFNFCI created and delivered an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Knowledge Sharing Series in 2021, and an ASD Resource guide was created and shared with the Agencies in October 2023. The Guide responds to what was heard in the Knowledge Sharing Series, specifically that workers wanted more information on ASD.

Invisible Disabilities

SFNFCI worked with Behaviour Consultant Dr. Cassandra Phillips to develop an online Invisible Disabilities Learning Series to help group home workers, supervisors, and people who work in child protection and prevention better understand invisible disabilities and reduce the stigma that is associated with invisible disabilities. Some of the invisible disabilities included in the series are as follows:
  • Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ ADHD)
  • Children Who Experience Anxiety
  • Children Who Experience Depression
  • Intellectual Disabilities
  • Conduct Disorders such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
  • Protecting the Mental Health of Families/Caregivers/Individuals Impacted by

Picture Exchange Communication

Created in 1985, PECS® is a unique communication system that uses images to communicate with students diagnosed with autism. PECS has been implemented worldwide with thousands of learners of all ages who have various cognitive, physical and communication challenges.

SFNFCI hosts PECS training led by Pyramid Educational Consultants of Canada. The training provides information on strategies to improve communication and to help children in settings like group homes, schools, and shelters communicate using images.

The goal of the Disability Initiatives Research Project is to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling related to discrimination and First Nations child and family services. It aims to increase awareness of disabilities which are often ignored, identify and close service gaps to address these disabilities, and provide resources and training for those who work with individuals affected by these disabilities.
 
Starting in 2016, SFNFCI has been carrying out research with various Frist Nations Tribal councils and Child and Family agencies (CFS). These projects are often guided by representatives from each year’s partnerships. 
 
For the past two years, SFNFCI has worked with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council to identify systemic gaps between various jurisdictions for Indigenous people who have disabilities living on reserve.
 
The 2024-25 Disability project was inspired by the findings of the 2023-2024 Disability Initiative project, which focused on a systemic analysis of existing services for people with disabilities, aimed to identify inconsistencies and gaps in services across various jurisdictions that impact access for Indigenous people living on reserves. SFNFCI researchers pinpointed gaps that could be addressed through capacity and resource development.

The 2024-2025 Disability project focused on capacity building and resource development with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) emphasizing awareness around disabilities and fostering relationships between service providers and clients. This report shares the outcomes of the project including findings from discussions and awareness building activities.