“The Autism Society of Alberta would like to introduce the Indigenous Relations Circle. Rooted in respect, the circles’ goals are to bring together diverse perspectives on the experiences of Indigenous peoples and autism in Alberta. The circle is a central concept to Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island and the Indigenous Relations Circle will listen, learn, share, connect and advocate for Indigenous autistic people and families.”
– Dr. Grant Bruno, Chair

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Go to the Indigenous Relations Circle Newsletter where you can read previous editions and subscribe to future ones.

Improving Service Navigation

Indigenous communities look to the sky for guidance when seeking direction, counsel, prayers and pathways for life journeys. We have viewed the stars as our ancestors and believe we are originally sky people. There are many teachings, stories and ceremonies that embody a celestial connection. In relation to this project, we are exploring through an Indigenous perspective. Metaphorically using the North Star as a reference point to assist Indigenous communities in autism awareness, education and advocacy. Navigation through systems is challenging for many families. Offering a “North Star” by creating visible and tangible resources, connections and supports to our Indigenous communities can assist our families in their journeys. We look forward to creating culturally relevant resources and nurturing community relationships.

– Dr. Pearl Yellow Old Woman-Healy, Project Lead

The Indigenous Relations Circle is supporting families at every life stage by participating in the Enhancing Service Navigation for Individuals with Neurodevelopmental Disability project.

To provide information about neurodiversity and navigation and to create a space for families and communities to ask questions and share concerns, we are:

  • Preparing tipsheets with information for parents, families, and service providers.
  • Creating presentations for Indigenous communities across Alberta, both virtually and in person.

Coming up!

Navigating Resources for Caregivers of Children and Youth

Presenter: Stephanie James (Sq’éwqel – Seabird Island Band)

Supporting a child or youth on their autism journey comes with many questions, especially when figuring out where to turn for support. This free presentation is tailored for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities across Alberta, offering guidance on finding and accessing essential caregiver resources.

Virtual Presentation
Thursday, October 15, 6-7pm

Register here

Navigating Resources for Caregivers of Adults and Youth Transitioning to Adulthood

Presenter: Stephanie James (Sq’éwqel – Seabird Island Band)

The transition from youth to adulthood brings major changes in funding, healthcare, housing, and community programming. Created specifically for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities across Alberta, this free presentation offers clarity and guidance on supporting neurodivergent youth and adults through this critical life stage.

Virtual Presentation
Thursday, November 19, 6-7pm

Register here

Watch

Presentations from the Improving Service Navigation Project

Click here to access video
Understanding Autism

Presentations from the 2024 Connecting Communities Event

Click here to access video
Raising our Children in Love
Click to access video
Caregiver Panel
Click to access video
Indigenous Autism in Global Context

Other presentations

Click to access video
An Exploration of Indigenous Autism in Canada
Click to access video
Executive Functioning Essentials
Autism Through An Indigenous Lens

Resources

Cover page of the Autism Through Indigenous Lens Document. An Indigenous mother wearing a ribbon skirt with her two young sons.

Autism Through Indigenous Lens

A holistic approach to supporting neurodiversity in Indigenous communities. This document, written by IRC member Emily Coombs, explores the intersection of colonial history, cultural understandings of autism, and practical strategies for delivering equitable, community-grounded support.

The Gift of Being Different
The Gift of Being Different, a short documentary, follows Grant Bruno as he navigates the world of autism. Grant is a parent to Autistic children and a PhD researcher exploring autism in First Nations communities. Grant is a registered member of nipsihkipahk (Samson Cree Nation), one of the reserves that makes up Maskwacis, Alberta. Through the film we learn his community views autism as a gift.

Members

Grant is standing outside with a fall background.

Grant Bruno

Dr. Bruno is nêhiyaw (Plains Cree), a registered member of Samson Cree Nation, and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Alberta. With a background rooted in nêhiyaw understandings of health, Dr. Bruno’s work focuses on creating culturally responsive healthcare models that support Indigenous children and youth, particularly in the areas of neurodiversity and child and youth health. As a proud First Nations scholar, Dr. Bruno’s research weaves nêhiyaw knowledge systems and Western frameworks to create inclusive, decolonized approaches to healthcare. Dr. Bruno is currently the Academic Lead Indigenous Child Health for the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI), the founder of the Ispimihk Awâsisak (Sky Children Program) and the Indigenous Caregiving Collective.

Pearl Yellow Old Woman Healy stands infront of a medicine wheel with her long dark hair in braids.

Pearl Yellow Old Woman-Healy

Dr. Pearl Yellow Old Woman-Healy is a member of the Siksika Nation and is a mother of an adult child with Autism. She is a PhD graduate of the Community Health Sciences Program specializing in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from the University of Calgary. Pearl was the graduate representative for the AIM-HI Network that provides mentorship for Indigenous scholars to pursue and build capacity in health research. Her community-based research focused on Siksikaitsitapi informed health and wellness for Siksika children with disabilities. Her recent accomplishments, life experiences, advocacy work and community engagement have influenced her leadership skills and demonstrate her passion in building relationships, fostering connections, and deepening understandings that will enhance culturally competent health care for Indigenous children.

Stephanie is standing outside infront of a city, looking away from the camera. She had long, blond hair.

Stephanie James

Stephanie is a registered member of Sq’éwqel (Seabird Island Band), a First Nations community along the Fraser Valley in BC. While she was not raised on the nation, she has spent many summers embracing her family and culturally rich community. She and her 13 year old son are both neurodivergent and live with ADHD. Stephanie’s education is in Social Work and she has been working in the disability sector since 2017. Her current role is a Support and Resource Specialist with Autism Calgary where she supports families with information, systems navigation and more. She has always had an interest in walking alongside others offering support along their journey & believes her lived experience and open minded nature lend well to the work she is so passionate about.

A photo of Amy Quintal sitting on a large rock

Amy Quintal

Amy is settler woman living in the ancestral territories of her spouse and children, who are from the Lac Ste. Anne Métis community and Michel First Nation. Her youngest son is intellectually and developmentally disabled, and Amy and her middle son are ADHDers. Inclusion and radical acceptance are foundational philosophies in their family. Amy’s professional and lived experience includes Indigenous rights work, social justice, human rights, and Métis policy work. In 2015, Amy founded a grassroots organization supporting inclusion in the Tri-Region. Amy is a graduate of the Indigenous Master of Social Work with University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills. Her practice is guided by Indigenous ethics and healing approaches.

Emily Coombs with long blond hair wearing a tan sweater

Emily Coombs

Emily Coombs is a Queer – Autistic PhD student in Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta. Her doctoral research explores how autistic individuals understand gender and sexuality, using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach grounded in neurodiversity and self-determination. Emily is also affiliated with the University of Calgary and the University of Victoria, and she works to build bridges across these institutions when shared research priorities arise. In addition to her academic work, Emily is a provisional psychologist serving a remote First Nations community on Treaty 6 territory. She honours all her ancestral roots and is actively engaged in reconnecting with the cultures and communities in which she was not raised.

Brandy has long brown hair and is standing outside with her arms out.

Brandy White

Tânsi, my spirit name is Fast Charging Woman and my birth name is Brandy White. I am Cree Métis from Treaty 6 Territory and a first year MSc counselling psychology student at the University of Calgary. My journey into academia has been guided by my lived experiences of being a paramedic for 20 years in various Indigenous communities throughout Alberta. Being privy to the current medicalized approaches to mental health and how they do not embody nor acknowledge Indigenous ways of knowing and being, my research is to investigate trauma, healing, and wellness from Indigenous worldviews. My hope as an Indigenous researcher is to inform the discipline of psychology the effectiveness of culturally relevant and responsive therapies for Indigenous communities that align with their traditional worldviews. As a future mental health practitioner, my hope is to work with community and practice from a culturally safe space that honours Indigenous traditional values and beliefs to wellness.

Kristen Swampy standing outside while smiling, wearing an orange blazer.

Kristen Swampy

Kristen Swampy is a member of One Arrow First Nation; she is a registered nurse and a mother of a child on the autism spectrum. She completed a master’s degree in education, studying courses on educating children with autism and Indigenous education. Kristen founded and is the current President of Connect-Belong-Grow Autism Support Association. This non-profit society offers support to autistic people and their families in the Edmonton area. She hopes to use her professional and personal experience to advocate for access to support and resources for Indigenous autistic individuals and their families within their communities.

Vanessa is wearing a black shirt, white glasses and has long, dark straight hair.

Vanessa Roesler

Vanessa coordinates the Kikino Aboriginal Headstart AHSUNC program at Kikino Metis Settlement. She holds an Early Learning and Child Care level 3 certification and a Mental Health: Aboriginal Connections diploma from MacEwan University. As a mother of three, including a daughter with autism, she created a support group for families with disabilities and started a sensory materials lending library. Vanessa also develops and presents workshops for other Indigenous communities, drawing on her professional and personal experience.

Will is wearing all black, a white hat, tattoos and bracelets while posing with his electric guitar.

William Belcourt

Will Belcourt is an internationally recognized, award-winning multidisciplinary artist based out of Edmonton, Alberta, whose creative journey is deeply rooted in his cultural identity. Through his art, he not only celebrates Indigenous traditions but also champions a vision of empowerment, weaving a subtle but unwavering commitment to the betterment and upliftment of Indigenous communities into the very fabric of his work.

Shino Nakane has black hair with bangs and is wearing a white blazer

Shino Nakane

Shino Nakane is the Provincial Director for Autism Society Alberta. She has volunteered on a variety of boards and committees over the past decade and is currently co-chair for the Autism Alliance of Canada . She is a current member, and past Vice Chair, of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, an advisory body for the Government of Alberta. Shino is the mother of a young adult who is on the autism spectrum who communicates uniquely without words to the people he loves and the world around him. Shino continually strives to spearhead efforts so that all people are able to live in accessible and inclusive communities.

Black and white photo of Tim Konditi. He is wearing classes, looking away from the camera and wearing a vest.

Tim Konditi

Tim is the current Operations Coordinator for Autism Calgary Association, and brings over a decade of extensive experience in project management to the Indigenous Relations Circle. He is a Project Management Professional (PMP), certified by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Tim’s expertise is further fortified by his training as a Biochemist (Bsc. Biochemistry).

Over the course of his career, Tim has amassed 13 years of dedicated experience writing and developing projects in the Human Services Sector. His expertise includes several multi-million dollar local, regional and national autism projects across Canada.

Tim has a passion for Architecture and Design, which he loves to share with his family and friends.

Morine standing outside, wearing a blue sweater. She is smiling and has long brown hair.

Morine Rossi

Morine Rossi is the Programs Manager at Autism Edmonton, an educator by training and a parent of an autistic child. She has taught to all ages of students and adults and has a vision of a society of inclusion and acceptance of all people. Morine has been very involved in the disability community both personally and professionally for over 15 years, as a program creator and facilitator, educator, peer group moderator, board member and advocate. Her lived experience with disability, neurodiversity, system navigation gives her a unique lens and insight to support other families on this journey. Morine loves to travel, garden and spend time with her family in her spare time.

If you would like to connect with the Indigenous Relations Circle (IRC), you can email us at irc@autismalberta.ca. We look forward to connecting with your community! Please note: The IRC does not provide one to one advocacy support.