December 3, 2025
December 3, 2025| Ottawa – DAWN Canada is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the 2025 Hummingbird Award. The announcement was made at the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) event, held in partnership with the IDC/BCANDS , Inclusion Canada, and the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW).
This year’s IDPD event highlighted the need for greater understanding of disability issues, the protection of rights, and the advancement of well-being for people living with disabilities. It also showcased the ongoing work of organizations dedicated to improving quality of life, breaking barriers, and supporting disability justice. Against this backdrop, the launch of the 2025 Hummingbird Award was a timely and meaningful addition to the day’s activities.
The Hummingbird Award, conceptualized by DAWN Canada, honours women, girls, and gender-diverse people with disabilities, as well as organizations whose leadership advances disability rights, inclusion, and gender justice. DAWN Canada, a national human rights organization focused on women, girls, gender-diverse people, and the Deaf, created the award to celebrate and elevate women and organizations making transformative impact.
“We are thrilled to open nominations for the 2025 Hummingbird Award,” said Bonnie Brayton, CEO of DAWN Canada. “This award celebrates the incredible leadership and resilience across our cross-disability communities, especially among women, girls, and gender-diverse people living at multiple intersections. I’m grateful to the amazing women and our team who helped bring this to life. Together, we are honouring the leaders who are breaking barriers and driving meaningful change.”
Initiated in 2020, the Hummingbird Award has since been presented to seven outstanding recipients and five organizations whose work has strengthened the lives of people living with disabilities. Several past awardees continue to collaborate with DAWN Canada and now serve on the Hummingbird Award Advisory Committee, which has been working diligently to open the nomination process to the public.
Nomination forms are now available on the DAWN Canada website. For more information, please visit dawncanada.net.
