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Heather McCain
Crip Doula and Disability Advocate, Founder
Heather (they/them) is based in Vancouver.
Their identities and lived-experience qualifications are a crucial contributor to their expertise. These are some that they identify with:
Here's the dynamic range of services they offer with Future Ancestors Services:
This is just a glimpse of the incredible breadth of subject-matter expertise they bring to the table:
Photo provided by Heather.
Heather McCain (they/them) is Executive Director of Live Educate Transform Society (LET'S), a non-profit they founded in 2005.
Heather’s own experiences as an asexual, disabled, neurodivergent, queer, trans person led them to become a well-known and respected advocate, educator, and speaker. Heather recognizes that those within the disability community have intersecting identities and works hard to ensure a multitude of voices and experiences inform their work. Heather is committed to centering decolonialization, using an intersectional lens and disability justice framework, and engaging in cross-movement organizing.
Heather has served as the Vancouver Pride Parade Grand Marshall, a Paralympic Torch Bearer for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and is a recipient of the BC Paraplegic Association Leadership Award.
Heather is proudest to be called a Crip Doula. This is a community given Disability Justice term for someone who helps disabled people navigate our complex systems, providing resources, support, and building community. This title was gifted by community members who have felt the positive effects of Heather’s work.
We can assure you, they're worth getting to know.
Photos provided by Heather
How does their lived experience shape their qualification?
I have first hand knowledge of how bias, prejudice, and isms (sexism, ableism, classism, etc.) are perpetuated and applied. I understand the barriers to our systems because I have lived them. I am entrusted with other people's stories, for educational purposes, because they know that I understand what it's like to constantly be up against systems that weren't built with you in mind. I have compassion, understanding, motivation, and urgency because I, like so many others, can't sit around waiting for a better tomorrow, we have to start building it today. wait for a better tomorrow, we must commit to building it today.
The goal I most strive for is to bring my work, which is full of personal and community experiences, to a wider audience and allow people to learn about the wonderful spectrum of identities and experiences that exist. In the 20 years that I have been running my organization and doing workshops, I have loved building an amazing array of academic, governmental, non-profit, and business clients. I started LET's as a grassroots project in 2 small communities and we are now involved in projects across Turtle Island. I hope to continue to expand our reach.
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Heather McCain’s guest lecture on the intersection of queerness and disability was transformative for my undergraduate Human Rights class. The academy can often feel impersonal, but Heather’s session broke through that, creating an environment where students felt seen, valued, and deeply understood. Their ability to weave personal experience with rich professional insight resonated powerfully with my students, many of whom reflected on Heather’s words long after the lecture. Students quoted their insights in assignments, demonstrating just how impactful Heather’s message was. I am incredibly grateful for the time, energy, and knowledge Heather shared with us. Their lecture not only enriched the course but reminded us all of the vital work of creating affirming and equitable spaces in education.
Dr. AJ Ripley, Lecturer, St Thomas University
Here’s a snapshot of how they bring stories, strategies, and meaningful change to each audience.
I enjoy providing speeches and workshops to audiences that are interested, open, and curious. I also enjoy having the opportunity to deliver my educational opportunities to people with little to no knowledge of the topic. And I use my privilege to go into spaces that may have a history and/or reputation of not being open to certain identities/people. I want to make these subjects accessible. I don't have an assumed level of knowledge or experience.
Rest is important and vital for me. When travelling, this must be taken into consideration. For example, I was recently speaking at a university 9 hours away. It was important that I had a day to rest after the day of travel.
Speaker Highlight
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I benefit from being on the ancestral, stolen lands stewarded by the sḵwx̱wú7mesh, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, and sel̓íl̓witulh people. This locality is a tiny piece in the larger context of the ongoing work that must be done to challenge the legacies of colonialism and create palpable disruptive change.
Once you have a general understanding of your opportunity, budget, and timeline, send your request!
You don't need to have a specific Speaker in mind before reaching out. You can just tell us what you're looking for, and we'll suggest speakers who fit your needs. If you have any questions, send us an email, speakers@futureancestors.ca.
