Information and Inspiration about work in BC's Aboriginal Non-profit sector.
Nurturing a healthy Aboriginal non-profit sector.
Driven by the desire to improve the health and well-being of BC’s Indigenous people, several prominent provincial Indigenous organizations came together to develop a social legacy from the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games—a legacy that would lead to transformative change in the health and well-being of Indigenous people across the province.
The First Nations Technology Council was mandated in 2002 to ensure that all 203 First Nations communities in BC have access to the Internet and the capacity to utilize digital technologies to the fullest potential.
The Technology Council has worked in partnership with over 150 First Nations communities in BC to deliver onsite technology related training. Through this, they have gained critical insight into the need for improved connectivity, a sustainable approach to infrastructure and the need to build digital skills capacity.
Sacred Wolf Friendship Centre serves urban Aboriginal populations in Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Zeballos, and Woss on the north end of Vancouver Island. Programs offered by the Centre include family support, community health care, and social activities for Elders.
The Institute preserves and promotes the languages of the Yinka Déné First Nations of northern BC. The activities of the Institute include publishing material in these languages, training researchers and teachers, and archiving documents on Yinka Déné languages, culture, and history.
The mandate of the Society is to preserve the cultural heritage of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw people who inhabit the north end of Vancouver Island and nearby islands. The Society’s most notable achievement has been the repatriation of potlatch artifacts seized by government. These artifacts, known as the “Potlatch Collection”, are on display at the U’mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay.
SCES is governed by a board of directors representing the Secwepemc communities. The Society’s mandate is to establish a centre that will collect and preserve Secwepemc historical, cultural, educational, and legal materials. Several departments have been created to fulfill this mandate, including Education, Language, and Communications.
The Society is a collective of Native youth creating uncensored spaces for young people to find their own voice. Its media projects are initiated and led by youth, inspiring creativity, confidence, and action. The Society maintains a youth staff and board, fostered with the support of elders, past staff, and community mentors.
Quw’utsun Syuw’entst Lelum’ means “Cowichan teachings house”. The Centre promotes Cowichan culture and language to both First Nation and non-First Nation people, and provides educational support to Cowichan Tribes members. The success of the Centre’s programs is due to its holistic approach to improving the quality of life for all members and integrating its services with other Band and community services.
The Nuu-chah-nulth are Indigenous people whose homelands are on the west coast of Vancouver Island. NTC provides health and social services to approximately 9,500 registered members of Nuu-chah-nulth Nations. It also represents the Nations in fostering treaty negotiations with Canada and British Columbia.
The Le-La-La Dancers are a traditional Kwakwaka’wakw (pronounced kwa kwa key wok) dance company who present First Nations culture of Northern Vancouver Island. The group has shared their culture by entertaining and educating throughout the world for over 25 years under the direction of George Me’las Taylor.
