Premier John Horgan meets with Friendship Centre House and BCAAFC staff in Prince Rupert.
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.
Board of Directors and Membership Meeting
February 16-17, 2018
The BCAAFC would like you to hold the date for the Board of Directors and Membership Meeting on the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish traditional territory.
For more information and for registration, please click here.
UAYC 2018 Youth Forum Registration Form – Deadline to register is December 15, 2017, at 3:30pm PST.
See the attached Gathering Our Voices Press Release, from October 27, 2017.
- Annette Morgan, President
- Victor Tom, Vice President
- Dr. Sharon McIvor, Treasurer
- Calvin Albright, Secretary
- Shyla Elgie, Youth Representative
- Fabian Alexis, Director at Large
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.
For more information, click here.
BCAAFC Releases Proposed BCAAFC Replacement Bylaws; to be voted on by the Membership at the BCAAFC AGM in Vernon, BC, September 22-23, 2017. Click here for more information.
