Premier's council helps disabled

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The Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities wants to untangle the jurisdictional disputes between federal, provincial and Aboriginal governments that have hampered Native people with disabilities from getting needed services.

"I think it's going to be a tough fight," said Doug Anderson, a consultant to the council. "But it needs to be done, so someone needs to take some leadership about it."

"I think it's a good idea because we need someone to help us with lobbying," said Ivan Singer, a facilitator with the Blood Tribe Family and Community Support Services.

Advocacy work, including jurisdictional issues, is at the top of the council's list of nine recommendations in its report, released last January.

That report researched the impact of Removing Barriers - the council's 1993 action plan for Aboriginal people with disabilities.

Since the action plan, only 30 per cent of its 102 recommendations have been carried out, Anderson said.

Anderson said the majority of the work has been carried out by support groups in the southern part of the province.

"Most of the work was done in the south part of the province - 90 per cent of the work was done south of Red Deer," he said.

The report graded several organizations on their work with the disabled. Provincial government departments, such as Aboriginal Affairs and Advanced Education and Career Development, earned a "good" in the report. The Alberta Native Friendship Centre Association rated "fair" to "good." The federal government, such as Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Aboriginal groups, including First Nations bands and Metis settlements, received a "poor" rating.

To accomplish needed advocacy work, more distinct Aboriginal groups, including First Nations, and non-status Indians and Metis, must be formed, the council recommends. The premier's council would then act as a mentor by providing advice and using its political influence.

"I think the council sees most of its work at the political level," said Anderson.

Anderson stressed that the premier's council would go only where it was welcome. Some First Nations bands have made it clear the provincial council is technically outside its jurisdiction.

The council sees itself as politically neutral and non-discriminatory with its assistance.

"We are not going to ask [people] if they are First Nations, status or Metis," said Anderson.

Council executive director Toni Tallman, is the only Aboriginal member on the council. Tallman is also the executive director of the Calgary Disabled Society.

During the Calgary meeting, a suggestion was made that the council form an Aboriginal subcommittee.

Anderson said the suggestion made sense.

"The council wants an action plan specific to Aboriginal disabled. . . this will be one of its major projects for this year," he said

After visiting other key disabled groups around the province, Anderson plans to draft a strategic plan this summer for review by Aboriginal groups.