Dr. Rheanna Robinnson brings multiple angles to her work exploring traditional roles of people who may have been labelled “disabled” in western culture.
She’s an Associate Professor of First Nations Studies at UNBC, member of Manitoba Metis Federation, leader of the Accessibility Ambassadors Initiative (AAI), and manages a multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
Now returned from invitations to lecture at a number of forums this Fall 2023 semester in Surrey, Winnipeg, Waterloo, Toronto, and including a date here in Prince George, Robinson is worn out after completing 2023’s circuit, but encouraged by the interest.
Robinson expresses that indigenous ways of knowing have much to teach us about inclusivity and equity. For example the word “disability” doesn’t have a direct translation in the Indigenous languages she’s studied.
People were & are engaged within various communities despite what may otherwise be described as ableist circumstances. She emphasizes, “disability in and of itself is very much a colonial and socially constructed identity.”
Story also available on frequencynews.ca, 88.7 FM in Prince George—Lheidli T’enneh, and cfur.ca/listen-live Mon-Fri 7:30am & 5pm PST
Disclosure: CFUR Radio’s journalist Ian Gregg is funded by the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) through the Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC).