Monthly Outreach
VICTORIA NATIVE FRIENDSHIP CENTRE [VNFC]
- “The VNFC is a non-profit Indigenous-led organization located on Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen speaking People of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
- The Centre comprises over 125 compassionate staff members, building and delivering over 75 programs working to further innovative solutions to improve socio-economic conditions for urban Indigenous peoples.
- Our goal is to stitch the fabric of Indigenous traditions into everything the VNFC does, and to greet each other and the natural world in a good way every day.”
The VNFC agency is a partner of the National Association of Friendship Centres and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres. More can be learnt through their website, from which this information was taken: https://vnfc.ca/about/
The SJOT group wishes to bring to your attention an article written for the Times Colonist in early February. It is regarding the loss of federal funding for a programme that teaches multiple Indigenous languages. “The loss of this contract is in stark contrast to recent government statements and promises around reconciliation,” says the centre’s executive director.
The majority of the program’s financial support has come from the federal Department of Canadian Heritage, which informed the Victoria centre that further funding had not been approved.
…. “The program can likely keep going for three or four months thanks to the dedication of the instructors,” Rice said, “but we’ll need to find a solution before we get into the summer.”
…. Your Social Justice and Outreach Team [SJOT] are highlighting this worthy agency during the month of May, and request your prayers and support.