June 1, 2026
There are no disability rights; only human rights. I was reminded of that old saying when thinking about the busy month ahead of us.
Just like our province, the St.Amant community includes people of all backgrounds. This month, many of us will celebrate belonging, inclusion, and the beauty that exists in diversity.
This is Manitoba Accessibility Awareness Week. It reminds us of the urgency and duty we share to create a more barrier free society. And then, in true grassroots fashion, the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility employee resource group has organized events to celebrate Pride and all of the complexity within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Next month, self-advocates will hold Disability Matters (formerly Disability Pride) to celebrate their rights and to make their voices heard.
St.Amant will once again recognize National Indigenous People’s Day on June 24th. The day will begin with a sacred fire at dawn and continue with musicians sharing their gifts.
This message is not supposed to be an events calendar. It is a monthly reflection on St.Amant’s values, purpose, and strategic direction. So why am I listing events? Although each of the events above celebrates a unique set of experiences and perspectives, when taken together, they remind us that all human beings share a deep desire to be respected and accepted for who they are.
Excellent supports are built on trust. We do our best work together when families and the people we support are safe to share their opinions and priorities without fear of judgment. A family’s trust is earned through the daily experience of respect and kindness. The kindness I see at work each day is something I never take for granted. It is what makes St.Amant so special. Thank you for your role in creating and protecting a culture at St.Amant where everybody -people we support, families, volunteers and staff- is welcome.
