June 2015 – Volume 8 - NWT Disabilities Council

NWT Disabilities Council Newsletter
ECIP Graduation
Recently we have had the pleasure of celebrating another great year of our
Early Childhood Intervention Program with some top notch kids! The ECI
Program provides guided support for children with disabilities to facilitate
learning and life skills in an early school environment.
Below are some photos from this year’s graduation celebration!
Volume 8 - Spring/Summer Edition
Words from our Executive Director
According to 2006 statistics, approximately 14% of the population in
Canada lives with some form of disability. In 2008, the GNWT published
an Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities. The NWT Disabilities Council has spent the past few months interviewing and surveying; service
providers, caregivers and people with disabilities to get feedback as to
the status of this Action Plan. We looked at the key areas identified in
the plan; Housing, Income, Employment, Education and Disability Supports. We sought insight, to both areas of growth and areas of need, and
have produced a report that summarizes the information and makes
recommendations. This was an evaluation to see where we are and
where we need to go. It is meant to start the conversation, to include the
voices of people living with disability in that conversation and to help
move towards a new relevant plan of action. A plan, with specific goals
set to produce real and measurable outcomes, which will have a significant impact in improving the lives of people living with disability in the
North. We look forward to sitting with all levels of government to discuss our findings and to move ahead toward full inclusion and participation for all citizens living in the NWT. The report will be available on our
website on June 15th, 2015.
NWT Disabilities Council
Lower Level Scotia Center
Suite 116, 5105 50th Avenue
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 3S8
Thank you to the Musicians for
the YK Grand Prix!
We had some great entertainment on the day from
some awesome local bands:
Diga Wolf
www.nwtdc.net
Facebook: NWT Disabilities Council
YK Grand Prix
Twitter: @NWTDC
3 Across Dee Eye
Ecole St. Patrick High School Jazz Band
Kim Taylor
Double Treble
Denise McKee
Important Dates
06/07 Third Annual YK
Grand Prix Soapbox
Derby
06/12 Ministers Tea
Thank you to our Sponsors for the YK Grand Prix
A big thank you goes out to the sponsors of the 2015 YK Grand Prix:
Buffalo Airwear
TD Bank
Northern Safety Association
Canadian Tire
Clark Builders
Superior Autobody
Yellowknife Chrysler
Northbest Distributers
Robert Hawkins
Yellowknife Beverages
Pido Productions
Igloo Building Supplies
Union of Northern Workers Polar Tech
Kavanaugh Brothers
Superior Propane
Elks Lodge #314
Yellowknife Coop
Age Automotive
Action Auto
As well as the staff of the NWT Disabilities Council, Neil McKee for being such a wonderful host, and the numerous volunteers who came out for the day to help us out!
06/22 Closed for
Aboriginal Day
07/01 Closed for Canada
Day
09/17 Annual General
Meeting
11/20 Annual Benefit
Auction
Third Annual YK Grand Prix
Disability Awareness Week 2015
The 2015 YK Grand Prix was once again held on School Draw Avenue between 44th Street and Lundquist
Road. There was balloons, face painting, a BBQ by donation, sno cones, popcorn, music, and lots of fun
activities!
2016 YK Grand Prix
We had a bit of a wet start to the day, but the sun came out strong and it was a great race day!
6-7 Years Winners
The 2016 YK Grand Prix
is scheduled for Saturday June 4th, 2016
If you would like to preregister a racer for an
early contact, please let
our office know by
emailing the name, age
and contact info to
admin@nwtdc.net or by
calling 873-8230.
As well, if you would like
to sponsor or volunteer
at next years races,
please give us a call!
1st Place - Paige Hawthorn
2nd Place - Grayson Marchiori
3rd Place - Granite Hawthorn
8-9 Years Winners
1st Place - Cohen Shaffer
2nd Place - Malachi Morin
3rd Place - Charlie Brunette
2nd Place - Mason Porter-Praetzel
3rd Place - Lucas Wilson
10-12 Years Winner
1st Place - Rennie Chiasson
Below are some pictures from this year’s races.
Disability Awareness Week 2015 will be kicking off with the
Third Annual YK Grand Prix on Sunday June 7th, and will end
on Friday June 12th with the Ministers Tea at the Tree of
Peace (by invitation only).
Additionally, The Council will be sponsoring family swims in
Fort Smith, Inuvik and Yellowknife to celebrate disabilities
awareness
Yellowknife– Ruth Inch Memorial Pool : Fri, June 12
6:30pm-8:30pm
Inuvik– Midnight Sun Complex: Fri, June 12 .
3:00 pm-5:00pm
Break Barriers, Open Doors: for a fully inclusive society
Disability Awareness Week Award
Recipients for 2015
Each year nominations are solicited for individuals and
organizations that have made a significant
contribution to advancing the lives of individuals with
disabilities living in the NWT. This year the recipients
are:
Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities Award
Vicky Orlias - Fort Good Hope
NWT Disabilities Council Award
Special Olympics Head Coaches
Canadian Council for Persons with Disabilities Award
Lynda Thickett - Fort Smith
NWT Human Rights Commission Accessibility Award
Ptarmigan Inn - Hay River
Congratulations to all of our winners and award
nominees! We thank everyone who submitted a
nomination for consideration.
Congratulations to our
50/50 Winner
Pauweliena Laureijs!