The Indigenous Safety in Healthcare (ISH) program is a 2.5-day, skills – based learning program that empowers healthcare worker and leaders to move beyond awareness and into transformative change. This experiential, Indigenous-led program combines skills-based and experiential learning to help participants move beyond cultural awareness into meaningful action. 

Grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, the ISH program builds cultural fluency in Indigenous histories—from pre-contact to present day—while equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to foster safer, more inclusive healthcare environments.

Key learning outcomes include understanding Indigenous experiences and the impact of historical 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 healthcare practices. 

Through a combination of online learning and in-person sessions, participants explore key concepts including: 

• Indigenous histories and health disparities 
• Rights-based approaches aligned with UNDRIP and the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action 
• Local Nations and community-specific experiences 
• Indigenous teachings, perspectives, and cultural safety practices 
• Supporting B.C. Ministry of Health’s  In Plain Sight: Address Indigenous-Specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care findings and recommendations.  

Program Details 
This 2.5 day program (1/2 day self-paced online learning + 2 full in-person days) is held at the VNFC. In-person experiential learning includes teachings from Knowledge Keepers and participation in cultural practices, a Learning Materials Booklet to accompany and support the online modules, and a completion certificate to support professional development.  This program offers: 

• A comprehensive deep dive into healthcare sector commitments to cultural safety and why they matter. 
• A wholistic approach that addresses learning with mind, body, emotions, and spirit. 
• A culturally grounded, locally developed, and Indigenous-designed learning opportunity. 
• Active learning using multiple approaches and modalities to build skills in providing culturally safe and anti-racist healthcare. 

Please enquire by emailing learning.programs@vnfc.ca 

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

“I was very grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the VNFC ISH program, along with colleagues from BC Cancer – Victoria. The online materials provided excellent background and context for the work, and the in-person sessions were invaluable learning opportunities. Many Indigenous cultural safety courses are only offered online, and when you can participate in-person in an interactive environment, it truly deepens the learning. I think that this course format really helps staff build the skills and confidence they need to deliver more culturally safe, empathetic and patient-centered care.” 

The post Indigenous Safety in Healthcare appeared first on Victoria Native Friendship Centre.

Camosun College offers upgrading classes at the Friendship Centre, a partnership that began in the early 1980s. Indigenous students are invited to join the program to obtain or improve high school skills and get ready for post-secondary education or employment. Classes are self-paced and designed to meet the needs of students in a culturally friendly and supportive environment. An Indigenous advisor is available to help students make education and career decisions. Students also have access to all the benefits and services provided by the college, including fitness and recreation, a library and media centre, and counselling.

The post Camosun College appeared first on Victoria Native Friendship Centre.

The Métis Nation of Greater Victoria Métis Nation of Greater Victoria (MNGV) was established in 1990 and is the local organization representing Métis People in BC’s capital region. Their community stretches across the Southern tip of Vancouver Island: from Port Renfrew to Oak Bay, Metchosin to North Saanich, and includes the Southern Gulf Islands, West Shore Communities, and East Sooke. There are more than 1,300 MNGV members and approximately 7000 Métis identified through the 2022 Census in the CRD region.

Becoming a member of MNGV, not only connects you to local Métis, but they share many exclusive opportunities to enhance your connection to Métis’ culture and community.

The post Greater Victoria Métis Nation appeared first on Victoria Native Friendship Centre.

The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction focuses on providing British Columbians in need with a system of supports to help them achieve their social and economic potential.

Featured Services

Income Assistance – Apply for B.C. Employment and Assistance (BCEA).

Disability Assistance – Apply for Persons with Disabilities Assistance.

My Self Serve – Secure online access to income and disability assistance programs and services in B.C.

WorkBC – Committed to help British Columbians successfully navigate B.C.’s labour market.

Bus Pass – A reduced cost, annual bus pass for low income seniors and individuals receiving disability assistance.

The post Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction appeared first on Victoria Native Friendship Centre.

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.

The post Art of Reconciliation appeared first on Victoria Native Friendship Centre.

The Volunteer Program provides opportunities for all community members to share their time and skills with the various departments of VNFC and help to enhance the capacity of programming and activities. We ensure all volunteers have a supported intake and strong onboarding process, which includes an online orientation webinar, screening processes, tour, and optional cultural safety training. Some opportunities include the Community Soup Lunch, Bruce Parisian Library, Food and Medicine Garden, and more!

The post Volunteer Program appeared first on Victoria Native Friendship Centre.

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.

The post Community Learning Program appeared first on Victoria Native Friendship Centre.

The Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC) acts as the host for the Victoria Urban Reconciliation Dialogue (VURD), handling the logistics and maintaining the records of the VURD Steering Committee (Committee). The Committee seeks to work with the community to examine the meaning and impact of reconciliation for the Victoria region from an urban Indigenous context while including perspectives that are diverse and cover a wide demographic of the region.

Three key areas of focus include:

• Supporting urban Indigenous voice.
• Enabling community engagement.
• Generating ideas for tangible actions.

The VNFC is a role model for Indigenous process in VURD meetings, and champions the influence of Indigenous worldview in the design and approaches to all work mandated by the Committee. The VNFC is proactive in building relationships with those agencies and individuals identified by the Committee as being vital to the Reconciliation Dialogue and acts as the liaison to community for those interested in engaging with the Committee.

The post VURD (Victoria Urban Reconciliation Dialogue) appeared first on Victoria Native Friendship Centre.

The VNFC hosts several initiatives focused on centering and uplifting urban Indigenous voices including the Greater Victoria Urban Indigenous Community Leadership Table, the BC Region Coalitions Network, Urban Indigenous Knowledge Transfer Ceremony, and the Provincial Urban Indigenous Leadership Gathering. While VNFC holds the space for this work, it is always guided by strategic community advisors, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers.

The post Urban Indigenous Leadership Table appeared first on Victoria Native Friendship Centre.