The VNFC Mandate
The VNFC History
Dedicated to improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people in
the Greater Victoria area, the Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC)
began as a meeting place in the city—providing limited referral
services to community members. The Friendship Centre opened its doors
in April, 1970. It was a one-room facility located on the corner of
Yates and Broad Streets in the heart of downtown Victoria. The Centre
was run by an Executive Director on a small grant from the provincial
First Citizen’s Fund. The Centre quickly became a much-valued meeting
place for Aboriginal peoples new to Victoria. Unfortunately, financial
concerns forced the Centre to close its doors in November of that
year.The Board of Directors; however, remained active and in September
of 1972, a new facility was opened on the corner of Fernwood and
Gladstone Streets. With the help of the Victoria United Way, core
funding from the Secretary of State, and continued support from the
First Citizens Fund, the new Victoria Native Friendship Centre
flourished.Four moves and 40 years later, the VNFC now occupies more
than 32,000 square feet of a former elementary school under a 99 year
lease with the School District of British Columbia. The Centre has
become a vital resource for urban Aboriginal individuals and families,
and is strategically positioned to play a major role in the development
and implementation of urban Aboriginal governance on southern Vancouver
Island.
The Movement
It was in the mid-1950’s that groups in several large cities
simultaneously began to push for a specialized agency to meet the needs
of Aboriginal people "migrating” to urban areas, for services that
would assist in the transition process from rural to urban living.
Large cities were attracting young people through the educational,
employment and social advantages they offered. Although they moved away
from reserves with ideals and high hopes, often the reality of city
life struck Aboriginal people hard.There were no guidelines to help
Aboriginal people through the maze of ministries and institutions.
There was discrimination to contend with as well as loneliness,
isolation and demoralization. The Friendship Centre offered a sense of
community, support, training and network in a safe environment that
helped Aboriginal people to maneuver better in large cities.The first
official Indian Friendship Centre was opened in Winnepeg in April 1959,
and by the 1970’s, Friendship Centres were sprouting across British
Columbia. The original funding came from private foundations and from
the provincial and federal governments. In British Columbia, the
groundwork for establishing Friendship Centres without government core
funding was laid in Vancouver, but the benefits of similar
organizations have spread to communities throughout the Interior, North
Vancouver Island and the Coast. There are now firm foundations for
future generations to build upon for the betterment of urban Aboriginal
people.