Summary of what people told us... |
Victoria Native Friendship Centre
Wed, Sept 14th
Interview with Executive Director of Victoria Native Friendship Centre
- Background Information on the centre:
- - 60-70% of Aboriginal people live in the urban centre, off reserves
- - Idea of Potlatching was to collect wealth and give it away
- - Friendship Centre helps transition of aboriginals coming off reserves and into greater
- community, First Nations can access Friendship Centre not just urbanized aboriginals.
- - $1 membership fee, and will service anyone, any culture, non -aboriginal
- - VNFC is one of few libraries with aboriginal content
Question: What could Saanich Parks & Recreation do to make Centres more welcoming?
- - Create a space to socialize
- - Has to include some Aboriginal content
- - Signage “welcome to everyone” in their language
Elders Centre – run by Elders – only open to them, has had difficulty with past personality conflicts
Hold Elder lunches once a year, 300-400 attend
IDEA: Many artists in the centre. - Art exchange program – Elders could display their art in Saanich Centres and possibly vice versa
Fridays are Soup Day and offer free lunch to everybody
Sample Programs/Departments in VNFC
Infant Development
Men Warriors
Women Warriors
Youth Team
CEER – Career Employment Education Resources
Family Services Team
Daycare
Doctor’s Clinic