British Columbia Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres

The purpose of this policy statement is to define the political mandate of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) as stated under the
“Purposes of the Society” section of the BCAAFC Constitution.

The following statements constitute this policy statement:

1. The BCAAFC Provincial Board of Directors and Executive Committee represent the political interests of BCAAFC member Friendship Centres in BC.

2. The BCAAFC has the right and responsibility to engage in political activity and political dialogue in advancing the interests of Aboriginal Peoples’ residing in urban and rural communities in BC.

3. The BCAAFC is a “non partisan” organization and does not formally endorse any particular political party, either federally or provincially.

4. The BCAAFC recognizes the jurisdiction that First Nations have over their members regardless of residency.

5. The BCAAFC does not have a direct politically representative relationship with urban Aboriginal People in BC, rather the political relationship exists between Aboriginal Friendship Centres in BC and the provincial Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee.

6. Local Friendship Centres in BC have the right and responsibility to determine the nature of their relationship with the clients who use their services.

7. Local Friendship Centres in BC have the right and responsibility to determine the nature of their relationship with the members of their respective societies.

This Policy Statement was ratified by the BCAAFC Provincial Board of Directors during the 2001 BCAAFC Annual General Meeting in Smithers.
 

(Marg Ahdemar)                                          (June 3, 2001)
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BCAAFC Executive Secretary                    Date