BCAAFC
The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres is the umbrella association for 25 Friendship Centres throughout the Province of British Columbia. Friendship Centres provide services to Indigenous people living in urban settings. The BCAAFC has an over-riding philosophy and as a registered Society within the Province of BC, the purposes of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres are:
· To promote the betterment of Aboriginal Friendship Centres in the Province of British Columbia.
· To establish and maintain communications between Aboriginal Friendship Centres and other Provincial Associations and the National Association of Friendship Centres.
· To act as a unifying body for Aboriginal Friendship Centres. To provide an Association for Government Agencies to communicate through and obtain information from. This, in no way takes away a centre's right to negotiate directly with any agency.
· To advise the Government, when requested by the collective centres, on how and what programs may assist Aboriginal Friendship Centres, in the development programs to better the lives of Aboriginal Native people in British Columbia.
Gathering Our Voices
The Gathering Our Voices (GOV) Indigenous Youth Leadership Training, hosted by the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) and its Provincial Aboriginal Youth Council (PAYC), is held annually in March during the education break. The local Friendship Centre and surrounding First Nations are engaged to ensure the community is consulted from planning to implementation.
GOV is guided by a Steering Committee who assist with setting the themes, selecting workshops, and inviting exhibitors and guest speakers. Having youth at the center of the leadership training, from its inception to the delivery of the event itself, creates an authentic and relevant experience for all in attendance.
Since GOV began, the goal for the leadership training has been simple and unwavering: PROVIDE INDIGENOUS YOUTH WITH THE TOOLS TO WORK TOWARDS A BETTER TOMORROW by improving themselves and the world in which they live. Over the course of four days, up to 1,500 delegates gather from across Canada to participate in ceremonies, workshops and engaging, informative and educational experiences.
GOV2019: Port Alberni
The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) and the Port Alberni Friendship Centre (PAFC) are honoured to host Gathering our Voices 2019 on the traditional territories of the Hupačasath and Tseshaht First Nations
From March 19-22, 2019 GOV will bring together more than 1000 Indigenous youth delegates as well as chaperones, presenters and guests to Port Alberni, BC. Young people from all across Canada are invited to join us to explore, to learn and to engage with our culture among peers.
Youth, chaperones, presenters, Elders, volunteers and other guests will have the opportunity to make new connections, rekindle old bonds, engage their passions and discover a new drive.
