Supporting Indigenous Children with Neurodisabilities

KBHN’s Indigenous Stream is a first-of-its-kind funding opportunity designed to support community-driven, high-impact projects that improve outcomes for Indigenous children and youth living with neurodisabilities (NDs) and their families across Canada.

The Indigenous Stream program includes two distinct funding categories:

• Community Impact Award ($100,000 for two years): funds community-led projects focused on delivering tangible, sustainable impact.

• Connection Award ($25,000 for one year): supports relationship-building, knowledge sharing, and partnership development.

Congratulations to the five Indigenous Stream awardees:

Community Impact Award:

The Eastern Door Center: A Two-Eyed-Seeing model for the healing of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Complex Neuro-Developmental Disorders related to adversity – Transforming challenges into strengths: refining the model and developing a training and demonstration site.” 

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Lori Cox 

Indigenous-driven community-based supports for disability 

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Glegg 

Miyo-pimâtisiwin (Good life) for Pîtoteyihtam (those who think differently) in Kinosao Sipi 

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Reg Urbanowski 

Connection Award:

Partnering with Indigenous communities to advance understanding of experiences, needs, and priorities for children with motor differences and their families 

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Jill Zwicker

Building relationships for family-centred neurodevelopmental care: A partnership between Six Nations of the Grand River and the extensive needs service at McMaster Children’s Hospital

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Teresa Bennett 

“The first cohort of projects funded through KBHN’s Indigenous Stream highlights the strength of community-driven solutions grounded in culture and lived experience. These initiatives will expand access to supports and services for Indigenous children and youth with NDs and help improve outcomes for their families. We are proud to partner with Brain Canada and the Indigenous Advisory Circle to support lasting, community-defined impact.”
- Dr. Jennifer Zwicker, KBHN’s Chief Scientist

“Brain Canada is proud to be partnering with Kids Brain Health Network on this funding opportunity for research on improving outcomes for indigenous children, youth and their families living with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Brain Canada believes in the importance of supporting research that recognizes and honours the knowledge, priorities, and leadership of Indigenous Peoples.”
– Dr. Pamela Kanellis, Brain Canada‘s Chief Research and Program Officer

KBHN extends its sincere thanks to the Indigenous Advisory Circle for their leadership and guidance. The Indigenous Advisory Circle played a critical role in identifying and recommending transformative proposals that address key challenges in early identification, access to culturally grounded and evidence-based interventions, service integration, and family supports. 

KBHN’s Scientific Advisor and Indigenous Advisory Circle Chair, Dr. Grant Bruno, emphasizes the significance of the milestone and the values guiding this initiative. 

“The Indigenous Stream represents a meaningful shift toward Indigenous-led, community-defined solutions for children and youth with neurodisabilities. Rooted in relationships, culture, and lived experience, these projects reflect the strength and innovation within Indigenous communities, and it has been an honour to help ensure funding decisions are guided by Indigenous priorities and sovereignty. I am grateful to lead KBHN’s Indigenous Advisory and am excited for the impact these projects will have for Indigenous children, youth, and their families.”
– Dr. Grant Bruno, KBHN’s Scientific Advisor and Indigenous Advisory Circle Chair

The Indigenous Stream program is made possible by KBHN and the Canada Brain Research Fund, an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada, through Health Canada, and Brain Canada. 

Learn more about KBHN’s Indigenous Stream.