Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society

Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society
Name	Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society
Type	Non-profit
Founded	1963
Location	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Area served	Vancouver, Metro Vancouver

Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society is a community-based non-profit organization serving Indigenous peoples in Vancouver, British Columbia. Established in the 1960s amid urban migration and social change, it connects urban Indigenous residents with cultural, social, health, and economic supports. The Society operates programs for families, youth, Elders, and newcomers, partnering with governmental, Indigenous, and civic institutions to address urban Indigenous needs.

History

The Society traces roots to the broader postwar Indigenous urban migration that involved groups like the Cowichan Tribes, Sto:lo Nation, Haida Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and Squamish Nation, and aligns historically with organizations such as the Native Brotherhood of British Columbia and the Indian Rights for Indian Women movement. Founders sought alternatives to provincial institutions including the Indian Act-era policies and were influenced by national movements like the Friends of the Indian Society and the National Indian Brotherhood. Early collaborations included civic actors such as the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Police Department, and service providers like Vancouver General Hospital. The Society’s development paralleled landmark events like the 1969 White Paper (Canada), the 1973 Calder v. Attorney-General of British Columbia decision, and the rise of urban Indigenous advocacy groups exemplified by the Native Council of Canada and the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs.

Mission and Programs

The Society’s mission centers on cultural continuity and social support, echoing themes found in initiatives by the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, and the BC Treaty Commission. Programs address health needs similar to those tackled by organizations like the First Nations Health Authority and the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. Youth programming resonates with models from the Aboriginal Youth Development Strategy and local efforts such as the Vancouver School Board Indigenous education supports and partnerships with institutions like Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, and Langara College. Family services reflect approaches used by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (British Columbia), Métis Nation British Columbia, and community organizations including Native Courtworkers and Counselling Association of British Columbia.

Governance and Funding

Governance follows a board-driven model similar to the Canadian Red Cross and community governance frameworks endorsed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The Society engages with funders and partners such as Indigenous Services Canada, BC Ministry of Health, Vancouver Foundation, United Way Centraide Canada, and philanthropic trusts akin to the Law Foundation of British Columbia. Accountability practices reflect standards used by non-profits like BC Non-Profit Housing Association and reporting expectations tied to municipal entities such as Vancouver City Council and provincial regulators including the BC Registry Services.

Facilities and Services

Facility offerings include cultural spaces, drop-in centres, health clinics, and training rooms, paralleling infrastructures at institutions like Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society Building-style community hubs found in cities such as Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Calgary. Services include mental health supports comparable to those provided by Foundry BC, employment assistance similar to WorkBC programs, and housing referrals akin to services from BC Housing and YWCA Metro Vancouver. The Society’s Elders’ programs mirror initiatives at places like the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres and collaborate with Indigenous cultural organizations such as the Two Rivers Gallery, Bill Reid Gallery, and community cultural events like Raven Spirit Dance presentations.

Community Impact and Partnerships

The Society partners with Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, comparable to networks involving the Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver Coastal Health, Metro Vancouver, BC Centre for Disease Control, and educational partners including Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Collaborative projects reflect joint work undertaken with entities like the Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Community, Aboriginal Mother Centre Society, Vancouver Urban Indigenous Health Coalition, and municipal programs from CityStudio Vancouver. The Society’s influence intersects with broader reconciliation efforts championed by bodies like the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and initiatives promoted by the Reconciliation Canada organization.

Notable Initiatives and Events

Notable initiatives include cultural celebrations, community feasts, job fairs, and annual gatherings that echo events such as the Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, Pow Wow, and the Vancouver Indigenous Film Festival. The Society has hosted forums connecting stakeholders like representatives from the Indigenous Law Centre, BC Civil Liberties Association, and the Canadian Heritage portfolio. It has contributed to public campaigns alongside groups such as the Native Education College, Vancouver Aboriginal Men's Wellness Society, and the Urban Native Youth Association, and has played roles in advocacy efforts related to policy discussions initiated by the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth (British Columbia) and consultations tied to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation urban housing initiatives.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Vancouver Category:Indigenous organizations in Canada