Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region recognizes and respects the lands of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Esquimalt and Songhees), Pacheedaht, Scia’new, T’Sou-ke, W̱SÁNEĆ (Malahat, Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum), K’ómoks, Hul’qumi’num and SENĆOŦEN peoples, where we live, work and play.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region is committed to sustaining an environment where representation matters, diversity is celebrated and people of every race, religion, culture, gender and sexual orientation are welcomed. We acknowledge and honour the diversity of people, cultures, traditions and experiences, and we recognize and uphold the right of all individuals to respect, dignity, fairness, caring, equality, self-esteem and inclusion.
Support
The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer immediate support and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line
The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.
An independent, national, toll-free support call line is available to provide support for anyone who requires assistance. This line is available free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-844-413-6649.
Victoria – Based Resources
Victoria Native Friendship Centre
The VNFC is a non-profit Indigenous-led organization located on Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen speaking People of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. The Centre comprises over 125 compassionate staff members, building and delivering over 75 programs working to further innovative solutions to improve socio-economic conditions for urban Indigenous peoples. Our goal is to stitch the fabric of Indigenous traditions into everything the VNFC does, and to greet each other and the natural world in a good way every day.
Hulitan Family & Community Society
Hulitan, pronounced “Hull-ee-ton”, is a Coast Salish word. It’s from the Cowichan dialect, meaning “saver of life, life giver “. It takes a community to raise a child, and urban areas are comprised of many Nations. Thus, we value the traditional teachings of all Indigenous people. Hulitan empowers Indigenous families and future generations, walking alongside them and using the cultural principles of Respect, Honour, Connectedness, Humility and Integrity.
Reconciliation Resources
The Truth and Reconciliation Committees 94 Calls to Action
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its summary report and findings on June 2, 2015, after six years of hearings and testimony from more than 6,000 residential school survivors and their loved ones. The report includes 94 Calls-to-Action to be followed if Canada is to address the “cultural genocide” of Indigenous Peoples as enacted with the residential school policy and achieve true reconciliation. As is often stated, reconciliation is not an Indigenous problem, it’s a Canadian problem and every Canadian needs to be aware of this very dark (but not distant history as the last school closed in 1996) period of history, understand that it has caused an intergenerational and ongoing impact and find ways and means to support reconciliation. *Via Indigenous Corporate Training*
Born from the vision of Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, Gwawaenuk Elder, Reconciliation Canada is leading the way in engaging Canadians in dialogue and transformative experiences that revitalize the relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians. Our model for reconciliation engages people in open and honest conversation to understand our diverse histories and experiences. We actively engage multi-faith and multi-cultural communities to explore the meaning of reconciliation. Together, we are charting a New Way Forward.