Fraser Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society Who are we

Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society (FVACFSS) is a fully delegated Aboriginal child welfare agency providing culturally appropriate and holistic services through prevention, community engagement and child welfare programs to Aboriginal (Status, Non-Status, On reserve, Off reserve, Stó:lō and other First Nation, Inuit, and Métis) children, youth and their families residing throughout the Fraser Valley.

FVACFSS is a non-profit service delivery organization incorporated under the Societies Act. FVACFSS is governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by members of our Stakeholder community.

Our Board of Directors

President/Chairperson

Chair Gwendolyn Point Vice Chair Wenona Victor Treasurer Tammy Bartz Secretary Shayla Hall Board member Rick Joe Board member Billi Jo Pike Board member Dianne Garner Board member Theresa James Board Member Michelle Julian Point

The primary responsibility of the Board is to ensure the affairs of FVACFSS are conducted according to its Constitution and By-laws, and in a manner that fulfills the purposes of the organization as a provincially delegated Aboriginal child and family service agency. Our Vision

Families and Communities are empowered to provide a nurturing environment to ensure their children are healthy, safe and connected to their culture.

Our Mission

We honour and respect the unique cultures of families and communities as we work together with integrity and dignity to ensure the safety and well-being of Children.

Guiding Principles

• We honour and support families and • We support culture by respecting communities to own the process of ceremony in our practice. coming up with solutions. • We balance between community • We listen and learn in a respectful way cultural values and practice standards. as we work with communities. • In cooperation, trust and respect we • We respect and embrace the unique work together towards a common cultures of families and communities. goal for our communities.

• We honour our relationship with • We respect the values and strengths of community partners and are our co-workers and each one’s committed to understanding each personal commitment to their work. other. • We embrace planning that is • We do our work in a good way and transparent and inclusive. practice humbly.

Our Community Stakeholders

Member First Nation Bands Member Urban Aboriginal Organizations • Aitchelitz First Nation • Chawathil First Nation • Métis Association • Cheam First Nation • Fraser Valley Métis Association • Kwantlen First Nation • In-SHUCK-ch Nation • Leq’a:mel First Nation • Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society • Matsqui First Nation • Mamele’awt Qweesome/To’o Housing Society • Popkum First Nation • Mission Indian Friendship Centre Society • Shx:wha:y Village • Waceya Métis Society • Shxw’ow’hamel First Nation • Skawahlook First Nation • Skowkale First Nation • Skwah First Nation • Soowahlie Indian Band • Squiala First Nation • Sumas First Nation • Tzeachten First Nation • Yakweakwioose First Nation

Our Service Delivery Area

Geographic Service Area covers Yale to the East, Langley/Surrey Ministry Fraser boundary on the West (196th Street), the Maple Ridge/Mission Ministry Fraser Region boundary on the North (Wilson Street), and the Canadian/US border to the South, including the Reserves of Member First Nations, and does not include the Reserves of non- Member First Nations, as set out in the map.

FVACFSS operates with a central office (headquarters) in Chilliwack and regional offices in Abbotsford, Agassiz, Langley and Mission.

Programs and Services

• FVACFSS has established programs guided under the name “Xyolhemeylh”. Xyolhemeylh, a Halq’emeylem word, describes the special relationship between someone who requires care, and someone who provides care. It describes a relationship based on CARING, RESPECT and LOVE.

• We work in partnership with our communities to provide cultural programs, prevention, education, resources, services and care for Aboriginal children, youth and families.

Programs and Services Risk Assessment and Protection Community Care Committee – Services – working with the family to volunteers who share their determine the safety of their child(ren) community-based input (ideas/ suggestions) in regards to child Guardianship – working with child(ren) in welfare issues in their community care to provide ongoing protection and support while keeping a connection to Sexual Abuse Intervention Program their culture and community whenever – counselling children and youth and possible community education on sexual abuse

Family Services – working with families Elders Advisory Committee – and communities in providing family provides cultural and community assessments and service plans that based guidance on guardianship and promote the reduction of risks to child welfare issues to FVACFSS child(ren) and communities ROOTS program – building cultural Foster Care Resources – recruiting, plans to reconnect and develop training and providing foster care homes relationships for children in care to for child(ren) who require care outside connect with family, community and of their home culture

Programs and Services

Shxwha:y Family Home – resource for the Prevention & Awareness Groups whole family system. Families who are at and Conferences – providing risk and need support are considered for preventative and remedial programs placement in one of these family homes that are flexible and tailored to meet the needs of our communities Family Intervention Team – has workers whose focus is to provide information, Cultural Camps – provide an guidance and modeling to families at risk experience to many of the healthy contemporary and traditional lifestyles of the Aboriginal people, Community Greeter Program – greeting including all aspects of the medicine aboriginal families who are new parents or wheel new to the area and unaware of services in the community Aunts & Uncles Youth Mentorship Program – knowledgeable, trained and screened volunteer mentors meet with a young person one to one, or in a group, 2-4 hours per week

Programs and Services

Examples: • Cultural Groups – using traditional • Tooltime – a 14 week program that teachings to promote cultural values and helps youth (14-19) to learn the tools building healthy families. Samples of cultural group activities: for building healthier relationships • Voice of the Drum - designed to teach about the • Four Directions Aboriginal Youth power and importance of the drum Program – exposure to the teachings • Traditional Kitchen - exploring, preparing, and sharing traditional foods and life skills of the medicine wheel: spiritual, • Dance Groups - hands on approach to learning emotional, mental and physical aspects and practicing along with cultural teachings (drumming and dance group, powwow beginner • Cultural Camps - operated in the and advance groups) summer months separately for young • Women’s Wellness and Men’s ladies, young men, youth day camp, Group - provides a confidential, safe caregiver camp and family spirit camp environment to share with one and offers the experience of the culture another, and learn how to take care of and traditions aspects of the medicine themselves physically, spiritually, wheel emotionally and intellectually • Parent Empowerment - provides teachings on effective parenting techniques including local resources and supports to enhance a parent’s child-rearing skills

Agency Structure Offices North Region Central Region 34110 Lougheed Highway 1-7201 Vedder Road Mission, BC V2V 4J4 Chilliwack, BC V2R 4G5 Ph: (604) 820-2595 Toll Free: 1-888-820-2595 Ph: (604) 858-0113 Fax: (604) 820-2597 Toll Free: 1-800-663-9393 Fax: (604) 824-2518 West Region 210-2276 Clearbrook Road Clearbrook, BC V2T 2X5 North/ East Region Ph: (604) 855-3328 7278 Pioneer Avenue Toll Free: 1-855-855-3324 Fax: (604) 855-3329 Agassiz, BC V0M 1A0 Ph: (604) 796-9836 Unit 102 Toll Free: 1-888-593-5053 20621 Logan Avenue Fax: (604) 796-9837 Langley, BC V3A 7R3 Ph: (604) 533-8826 Toll Free: 1-855-833-8826 Fax: (604) 533-8827