Personal Support
– Referrals to community resources
– Advocacy
– Food Security
– Support navigating various governmental systems (MCFD, Youth Justice, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction)
– Support with making and getting to crucial appointments

Education
– Employment readiness (resume writing, job applications)
– Education and Alternate Education Plans
– Life skills

Health
– Mental health, substance use, sexual health, and referrals
– Help accessing harm reduction/sexual health supplies
– Support navigating health care system
– Pregnancy and parenting support
– Helping 2SLBTQIA+ individuals access gender affirming care
– Access to sports and recreation

Housing
– Support with housing applications

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The VNFC Wellness Clinic provides access to healing and wellness modalities for Indigenous community members and people accessing VNFC services. We have partnered with the Pacific Rim College (PRC), the West Coast College of Massage Therapy (WCCMT) and local health providers to bring services in a culturally friendly and supportive environment. All services are free of charge and are by appointment.

Herbal Medicine

Pacific Rim College students provided information and consultations about herbal and plant medicines. Herbal tinctures, teas and capsules are offered to treat a range of conditions.

Acupuncture

Pacific Rim College students provide acupuncture specific to your health needs. Along with acupuncture, your session may include fire cupping, gua sha and tui na massage. Monday 8:45am – 2:15pm

Community Massage

Students from West Coast College of Massage Therapy provide 50-minute massages. Thursday 10:00am – 1:00pm

Foot Care

Footcare clinics are offered to Indigenous Community members by Registered Nurses and are for people with diabetes and elders. They are scheduled once a month, are by appointment only, and cannot be booked through reception. Please contact Scott or Isobel to sign up (scott.i@vnfc.ca or isobel.d@vnfc.ca).

How to Access the Wellness Clinic

Appointments for the VNFC Wellness Clinic can be booked through VNFC Reception (except foot care – see above). Call 250-384-3211 or email reception@vnfc.ca. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.

How to Reach Us

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The VNFC Health Services team includes Indigenous Health Support Workers, Mental Health and Substance Use Counsellors, and a Mental Health Liaison. Our Health Services team provide holistic and culturally safe health and wellness services to people who identify as Indigenous and their families.

Health Support Workers

Provide one-on-one support for people with health challenges, including:

• Navigate access to health care and wellness services
• Advocate on client’s behalf within the health care system
• Assist with accessing health benefits funding for services, equipment, and medications
• Provide transportation to appointments for clients with mobility issues

Provide group support and education, including:

• Lunch & Learns
• Drop-in monthly information sharing about health issues and resources
• Footcare
• Services and assessment provided by a Footcare Nurse for Elders and people with diabetes. Registration is required
• Health Support Circles and Cultural Sharing
• Sharing circles and cultural activities (art, music, food) help to support mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health and wellbeing

Mental Health and Substance Use Supports

• One-on-one counselling for people with substance use issues in all stages of change
• Client-centred goal setting and help with developing healthy living skills
• harm reduction, abstinence, setting boundaries, stress management
• Information about and referrals to other mental health and substance use services for healing and recovery, such as support groups, other agencies, and residential treatment centers
• Advocacy and support in navigating the mental health and substance use systems
• Culturally safe group supports, including talking circles, grief support circles, and cultural activities and teachings
• Community education on mental health and mental health resources and services

How to Access Health Services

To access our one-on-one Health Services, an intake is required. Intake can be completed from 1pm –4pm, Monday to Friday, by either coming in person to the VNFC or calling us at (250) 384-3211. Details about drop-in and group programming can be found on our Health calendar.

How to Reach Us

8:30am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday
Intake is required*

231 Regina Avenue
Victoria, BC
V8Z 1J6

Tel: (250) 384-3211
Email: intake@vnfc.ca

Director: Grey Showler
Coordinator: Christina Kante

*Intake is by phone (250) 384-3211 or in person between the hours of 1:00pm and 4:00pm Monday to Friday. All referrals must go through intake.

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The Art of Reconciliation program is for Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people ages 18-29 to build their confidence to engage in reconciliation dialogue and actions with their peers and community. Learning spaces are based in Indigenous ways of seeing the world and inclusive of experiential cultural sharing while exploring themes of reconciliation. Art making follows a series of workshops with final artwork and artist statements resulting in weeks of reflection, group discussion, and deep learning. Public exhibitions of participant artwork brings the broader community into the reconciliation dialogue.

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The Community Learning Program (CLP) is designed to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals interested in working in or with Indigenous organizations. It empowers participants to foster pride in Indigenous culture, build meaningful connections, and deepen understandings of reconciliation through Indigenous ways of knowing. Through guided reflection and experiential learning, participants will gain the confidence to engage in reconciliation with awareness, respect, and impact

Program Overview
This 3.5 day program (1/2 day self-paced online learning + 3 full in-person days) is held at the VNFC. Together, we will explore experiential learning, discussions, applied skill-building and guided circle practice.

Key learning outcomes include understanding Indigenous experiences and the impact of historical and contemporary colonialism and systemic barriers, engaging with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to build mutual trust, and gaining hands-on skills for culturally safe, trauma-informed, and anti-racist practices. 

Through this program you will: 

• Develop cultural sensitivity in Indigenous history and reconciliation efforts
• Learn about the diversity of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and their contributions to society
• Practice self-location and understand the importance of territorial acknowledgments
• Access resources for continuing your reconciliation journey and tools to create a personal learning plan
• Implement right-based approaches that align with UNDRIP and the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
• Explore Indigenous teachings relevant to local communities, including Coast Salish circle protocols, gift-giving, and Elder guidance

For more information on available dates in 2025, please contact learning.programs@vnfc.ca  and see the calendar below

Costs include learning materials, completion certificate aligned with professional development opportunities, delicious hot lunches, coffee, tea and snacks.

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We provide cultural workshops throughout the month. Please visit the calendar for more details. Everyone Welcome. RSVP by email culture@vnfc.ca

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Join us for light exercises, health tips, and organized outings. We participate in the annual July 30×30 challenge, to be active for 30 minutes daily for 30 days. Prize incentives monthly. Regular participants invited to field trips monthly. RSVP by email culture@vnfc.ca.

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Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ Gatherings
Annually the Youth Department works hard to put on the 2SLBTQIA+ Gathering which started in 2015. This is a gathering that honours our Indigenous 2-Spirit, LGBTQIA+ and Indigequeer youth, and is open to all LGBTQIA+ youth ages 12-24 years, and the allies who support them. Come meet and connect over cultural activities, ceremony, workshops, keynote speakers, information booths, group activities and feasting. This gathering also provides friends and family the opportunity to learn about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in a safe and open environment!

Youth Summer BBQ
An annual barbeque to honour our hard working students and graduates. This is hosted either at the end of school, or the end of summer!

Check the VNFC calendar for the latest details.

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The RAVE Youth Drop-in serves youth ages 12-18 years old. Our Drop-in program offers structured programming that often challenges the youth to try something new, to learn something new, and get out of their comfort zone. We publish our activity calendars at the beginning of each month.

In addition, we have monthly drop-ins for 2SLGBTQIA+ for youth and allies from 12-25 years of age.

No intake required.

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