Our Story
Our Mission
The mission of the FASD Institute is to provide a safe, inclusive space for professionals, families, and all to learn and grow.
We aim to dismantle systems of oppression so that all abilities and diversities may be empowered and thrive.
The END™ Model and all training we provide work for all but can be especially beneficial for the neurodivergent.
ha7lh skwáyel tanuyap
We are an Indigenous co-owned business
I, Kyle Lawrence, of the skwxwú7mesh Nation, am grateful to my ancestors who have cared for these lands since time immemorial. I hold my hands up to their exceptional resistance, resilience, and strength in the face of ongoing dispossession and colonial violence.
I want everyone to acknowledge the unceded Indigenous land they have settled on across Turtle Island (North America). Unceded land was never given to settlers; it was stolen and continues to be occupied and governed by settlers today. I believe it is essential to continue reflecting and speaking about this colonial violence and keep it in mind as we interact. The FASD Institute acknowledge the unceded, ancestral, and occupied traditional lands of skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Watuth), Stó:lō, Shíshálh (Sechelt), Cowichan and c̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen) Nations which we work on.
A land acknowledgement is about belonging and knowing where you come from. The land has gracefully permitted us to share in its gifts. This connection teaches and heals us. Before colonization, Indigenous peoples were a part of an ecosystem that respected and honoured our interdependence with each other and the land.
At the FASD Institute, we firmly believe in holding up Indigenous peoples' resistance and the voices of all equity-seeking peoples in our communities. We support decolonization initiatives, reconciliation, and Indigenous sovereignty.
We believe in solidarity, always working to improve through an ever-learning process. We aim for unity and authenticity by listening and centring BIPOC and neurodivergent voices within our organization.
chet kw’enmantúmiyap.
Our Journey
Forming the FASD Institute
The FASD Institute is a family organization.
It is our life's work, our passion, and our mission.
We are blessed to learn about FASD firsthand. We have learned a lot in the last 20 years. Though there are organizations and resources aimed at FASD education, we did not find our way until we could see through an FASD-empowered lens.
The neurodiversity paradigm has inspired us to reframe our language and how services should be provided.
Exploring our identities, privilege, and intersectionality has guided us to see how racism and ableism marginalize neurodivergent folx. This oppression is rooted in colonialism.
The FASD Institute contributes to changing systems of oppression, racism, and ableism. We hope to decolonize mental health, neurodiversity, and disability services.
We are activists, standing in solidarity, who are learning how to reach this social justice goal.
Thank you for walking alongside us on this journey.
