BC Friendship Centres hit milestone service delivery across BC with over one million points of service within a year. The 25 Friendship Centres that make up the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres saw over 4,500 clients a week walk through their doors seeking services in a year.
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Preston collaborated with both the First Nations Health Authority, the Mètis Nation and the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres to increase culturally safe access to cancer services for all Indigenous people. The BC Indigenous Cancer Strategy outlines the partners commitment to improve the cancer journey from prevention to palliation for Indigenous people.
On behalf of the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, our hearts go out to his family, friends and colleagues. He will be remembered, and we are lucky to have worked with him.
– Executive Director Leslie Varley
This week we mourn the loss of the Hereditary Chief of Xwepsum, Esquimalt First Nation, who passed away this weekend. In Lekwungen teachings, both Songhees and Esquimalt, the name of the deceased is not mentioned, and pictures are not displayed. We acknowledge the Lekwungen teachings and raise our hands.
On behalf of the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, I extend our deepest condolences to the Thomas family and the Esquimalt Nation on their loss. The late Chief was always welcoming, supportive, and generous with his time. We have been very fortunate to live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen people. We join our colleagues, friends, and family in remembering a leader, a teacher, an advocate for Indigenous rights and humble man.
-Executive Director Leslie Varley
Friendship Centres across BC are hosting Indigenous poverty reduction consultations to inform the development of a BC Poverty Reduction Strategy, as committed to by the BC Government. These consultations are taking place over the course of February and March 2018 with a summary report being provided to the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. These sessions are free and open to community members to come and share their experiences, barriers and solutions with respect to reducing poverty amongst Indigenous people in BC. Please contact your local Friendship Centre for more details on the specific session in your community and check back often as we will update our website as more locations are confirmed.
February 7th, 2018 – Port Alberni Friendship Centre – 3555 4th Ave., Port Alberni BC
February 8th, 2018 – Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre – 3955-3rd Ave., Smithers BC
February 16th, 2018 – Conayt Friendship Society – 2164 Quilchena Ave, Merritt BC
Febraury 21st, 2018 – Dease Lake (hosted by Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre) – 4th Ave. House #1, Dease Lake BC
Febraury 28th, 2018 – Houston (hosted by Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre) – 3383-11th Street, Houston BC
Febraury 28th, 2018 – Wachiay Friendship Centre Society – 1625 McPhee Ave., Courtenay BC
March 1st, 2018 – Prince George Native Friendship Centre – 1600 3rd Ave, Prince George BC
March 2nd, 2018 – Hiiye’yu Lelum House of Friendship – #107-5462 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan BC
March 2nd, 2018 – Victoria Native Friendship Centre – 231 Regina Ave., Victoria BC
March 7th, 2018 – Prince George Native Friendship Centre – 1600 3rd Ave, Prince George BC
March 8th, 2018 – Ooknakane Friendship Centre – 146 Ellis St., Penticton BC
March 8th, 2018 – Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society – 125 Palm St., Kamloops BC
March 9th, 2018 – Victoria Native Friendship Centre – 231 Regina Ave., Victoria BC
March 13th, 2018 – Sacred Wolf Friendship Centre – 145A – 8950 Granville St, Port Hardy BC
March 14th, 2018 – Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society – 442 Leon Ave. Kelowna BC
March 17th, 2018 – Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association – 13639 108th Ave, Surrey BC
March 20th, 2018 – Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society – 1607 East Hastings, Vancouver BC
March 21st, 2018 – Quesnel Tillicum Society – 319 North Fraser Drive, Quesnel BC
March 22nd, 2018 – Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre – 421 Franklin St, Nanaimo BC
March 23rd, 2018 – Friendship House Association of Prince Rupert – 744 Fraser St., Prince Rupert BC
March 23rd, 2018 – Mission Friendship Centre Society – 33150A First Ave., Mission BC
March 29th, 2018 – Kermode Friendship Society – 3313 Kalum St., Terrace BC
October 24, 2017 The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres is pleased to announce that the transition of the BCAAFC under the Societies Act is complete, including filing the new BCAAFC replacement Bylaws approved at the September 22, 2017, Annual General Meeting. The Transition Board is now in effect and includes:
On behalf of BCAAFC President, members and staff, we extend a warm welcome to the new Board of Directors.
Always in friendship,
Leslie Varley
Executive Director, BCAAFC
The National Inquiry will be holding community hearings this week in Smithers BC at the Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre Hall. The Commissioners will be present at the public community hearings starting at 9:00am September 26 until September 28, and are scheduled to end at 5:00 pm each day. The community hearings are open to the public to observe unless specified as private by families and survivors.
The devastatingly high numbers of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls has continued to negatively impact the wellbeing of communities across Canada and the individuals within them. Smithers is located along the infamous Highway of Tears and the visit by the commissioners of the Inquiry is very important to the community who has suffered the loss of many women and girls. Friendship Centres from across the province have been supporting families of murdered and missing women for years and we hope that this process will support the families through this challenging time.
The BCAAFC thoughts and prayers are with families across the province and remain committed to providing services and advocacy.
A sacred fire will be kept burning, and a ceremony will take place at the end of the community hearings on Thursday, September 28. No photos or recording of ceremonies will be permitted out of respect for local protocols.
The Inquiry hearings will be held at the Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre Hall located at 3955 3rd Avenue, Smithers BC. The community hearings are being live-streamed on the MMIWG Facebook page and website:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMIWG/ or Website: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/
For more general information on the Inquiry contact info@mmiwg-ffada.ca or on the toll free line at 1-844-348-4119. For media inquiries related to this press release contact the Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre at 250-847-5211.
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Varley – BCAAFC Executive Director
Ph: 250-388-5522 Ext. 202
The BCAAFC congratulates Elijah Mack in his new role as the Executive Youth on the National Association of Friendship Center’s Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.
Elijah Mack is 21 years old and resides in Merritt BC, but his origins are from the small village of Bella Coola, BC. Elijah has lived in an urban setting the majority of his life, and has been part of the Friendship Centre Movement for the last 14 years. He currently volunteers his time at the Conayt Friendship Society in Merritt, as Secretary to the Board of Directors.
Elijah is a dedicated Team Leader at an Indigenous inspired food franchise called Kekuli Café. He has been a recipient of a Merritt Youth Asset Committee award for three consecutive years, for his positive role modeling and strong volunteerism. He has demonstrated a commitment to leadership and passion for helping others.
Elijah is humbled to have been selected for the Executive Youth position and looks forward to an amazing year engaging with the Indigenous Friendship Centre youth of Canada. He believes that by working together anything is possible.
For information on the communities impacted by the forest fire situation please visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/BCAAFC/
Other useful links:
Aboriginal affordable housing received a major boost today with the announcement of more than $53 million in provincial funding.
The money will be used for eight housing developments throughout the province that will produce 378 units. The announcement was made at the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association in Surrey, one of the housing providers chosen to receive funding. The Province is providing more than $1.3 million in capital funding to the organization to create 15 units of affordable housing for Aboriginal women and children, in partnership with the City of Surrey and the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver.
The Honoring Our Elders award was created to recognize the amazing Elders in Friendship Centre communities throughout BC. It is an annual award that will be presented to one male Elder and one female Elder each year at the BCAAFC AGM.
Each Friendship Centre in BC will be invited to nominate one male and one female Elder. Nominations should include a one-page application and 2 letters of reference describing the role of the Elder in the Friendship Centre and the ways in which the Elder has made a positive impact in the community.
For more information contact:
Leslie McGarry, Elder and Youth Coordinator
