three people seated in a room at a table with a projector screen behind them. There are microphones on the table and papers in front of the people. They are smiling and laughing.

three people seated in a room at a table with a projector screen behind them. There are microphones on the table and papers in front of the people. They are smiling and laughing.

 

In Canada, the People First movement began in 1973 when Self Advocates came from around North America to discuss their rights. For people with intellectual disabilities, their first issue was their right to live in the community – to get out of institutions. By 1974, the very first People First Chapter was up and running in British Columbia.

This first group was composed of people who lived in an institution and wanted to get out. They wanted to live in the community and have their opinions, choices, and rights respected. For the next several years, People First groups began to form in provinces, territories, and communities across the country.

BC People First is run by a Board of 5-10 directors, all self-advocates who want to advocate for their rights to be independent. In 2023, the BC People First conference focused on Leadership and Networking. Attendees at this year’s conference can expect to learn about advocacy, goal setting, presentation skills, using social media, human rights, and more.

Dara Watson, the president of BC People First, spoke to us about the importance of attending these conferences. “Hosting and going to conferences together strengthens the self-advocacy community. Giving people a place to share their experiences, get peer support, share their knowledge, and get more attention for their advocacy work. This is how we support each other and bring about real change together. “The BC People First conference will be held from March 13 to 15, 2024, and will be a hybrid online and in downtown Vancouver.

Visit BCPeopleFirst for more information on signing up for such an incredible experience filled with meeting new friends and learning about advocacy and its importance.


Written by Katie Miller

Edited by Galen Exo 

This article was featured in the latest edition of our monthly newsletter, Inclusion in Action. Subscribe today to receive regular updates with stories like this.

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