Indigeneity, Neurodevelopmental Differences and Mental Health

Welcome!

Tánsi! Lyuskin! Biindigen! Kuwa! Pee-piihtikweek! Ta wâw! Taŋyáŋ Yahípi! Wachiya! Waaciye! Bienvenue!

This work started with the 2023 Gathering on Indigeneity, Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, and Mental Health in Ontario—a space where Indigenous community members, researchers, and clinicians came together to share knowledge and build connections.

Explore the highlights from the 2023 Gathering below, and stay up to date on our latest work, including the 2024 Focus Groups and Knowledge-Sharing Sessions. Check out our newsletters for key insights, and if you’d like to stay connected, fill out the form to ‘Connect with the Team’ and receive updates!

2023 Gathering on Indigeneity, Neurodevelopmental Disabilities/Differences and Mental Health in Ontario

The 2023 Gathering on Indigeneity, Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, and Mental Health in Ontario, which brought Indigenous community members, including those with lived experience of neurodevelopmental disabilities and mental health concerns, together with researchers and clinicians to share knowledge and form connections.

The two-day event was funded by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Planning and Dissemination Grant awarded to Associate Professor of Applied Disability Studies Kendra Thomson and principle knowledge user Louis Busch of Shkaabe Makwa at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Published in the fall of 2023, Forming the Circle: Report on the 2023 Gathering on Indigeneity, Neurodevelopmental Disabilities & Mental Health calls for culturally relevant services, enhanced partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations and a national network for knowledge-sharing and advocacy, among other recommendations.

The report reflects the collective findings of Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous allies who participated in the gathering and in the iterative feedback process that informed the report’s development.

2024 Focus Groups & Survey

As follow-up to the 2023 Gathering on Indigeneity, Neurodevelopmental Disabilities/Differences and Mental Health, we hosted two virtual focus group sessions in August 2024 and shared an online survey with those unable to join us. We gained valuable insights from the community that helped us develop two virtual knowledge-sharing sessions which we hosted in December 2024, and we gained valuable suggestions from community on building a national network. For more information on who participated, and what we heard, please click below to read our November 2024 Newsletter.

2024 Knowledge Sharing Sessions

In December 2024 we held two virtual knowledge sharing sessions. Below is a brief summary of each session:

Session 1: Lived/Living Experiences of Indigenous Peoples with Neurodevelopmental Differences

The panelists discussed their experiences of being Indigenous with neurodevelopmental differences and mental health, emphasizing the intersection of cultural identity and neurodivergence. Key points included the challenges of accessing culturally appropriate support, such as the lack of traditional practices in non-Indigenous settings and the mistrust of Western medical approaches. The panelists highlighted the strengths of neurodivergence, like hyperfocus and creativity, and stressed the importance of recognizing and valuing these gifts. They also underscored the need for service providers to be culturally humble and open-minded, fostering trust through understanding and respect for individual cultural backgrounds and traditions.

Session 2: Caregivers’ Lived/Living Experiences Supporting Indigenous Peoples with Neurodevelopmental Differences

The panelists focused on their experiences as Indigenous caregivers navigating the successes and challenges of supporting their loved ones with neurodevelopmental differences within a colonial context. Key points included the importance of culturally informed care, the negative impact of some interventions, and the need for community support and advocacy. Panelists highlighted the significance of land-based connections and the role of Indigenous teachings in fostering resilience. They emphasized the need for national Indigenous organizations to provide tailored support and the importance of community gatherings for caregiver empowerment. The discussion underscored intergenerational trauma and its relation to neurodevelopmental differences and the necessity of holistic, community-based approaches.

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who joined us for these virtual sessions. These conversations are important to our work, and the interest and engagement from the community continue to guide us. For more updates and insight from the Virtual Knowledge Sharing sessions, please click below to view our May 2025 Newsletter.

Request Access to Knowledge-Sharing Recordings

If you missed one or both of our knowledge-sharing sessions, we are pleased to offer access to the recordings with consent from the panelists. To request access to the recordings, please click the button below to fill out the request form.

Request Access to Recordings

Newsletter Updates

Explore our newsletters to stay informed about our latest initiatives, events, and insights. Click on any newsletter thumbnail to learn more about the work we have been doing.

We will continue to add updates as our work continues, so be sure to check back for more! You can also join our email list by using the ‘Connect with the Team’ option to receive updates by email.

Connect with the Team

Are you interested in this work? Do you want to connect with our team? Would you like to receive our email updates and communications? If so, click below:

Connect with the Team