Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services Annual Report 2016/17
Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services is located on the traditional territories of the Lkwungen people, known today as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. With gratitude, we raise our hands to you as the traditional keepers of these beautiful lands and waters and for allowing us to work in your territories.
Our Logo:
In the spirit of spindle whorls, the logo for Surrounded by Cedar depicts an adult face with a smaller child’s face inside the mouth. Surrounding these two faces are the dendrochronological rings of red and yellow cedar.
“The red and yellow of the design symbolize red and yellow cedar, while the adult’s face with the child inside its mouth represent the vitality of caring for future generations of children. I wanted the design to represent the growth of Surrounded by Cedar as an agency, while also representing my personal growth as an artist”. lessLIE
Mission: Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services will provide child and family services rooted in cultural values and beliefs to restore and enhance the strength and resiliency in the urban Aboriginal community.
Vision: Our vision is of healthy children who will grow up connected to their families, communities and culture. We will work together toward the day all children and families have skills, knowledge, education and support to ensure their children and their children’s children will not enter the child welfare or justice system.
Service Delivery: SCCFS provides services to Aboriginal children and families living within the Geographical Service Area (GSA), excluding Métis children and families and First Nations children and families from the First Nations bands within the GSA.
GSA means the Geographical Service Area within which SCCFS will provide services and excludes those First Nations communities referred to as bands in the Indian Act within those boundaries.
Our Core Values
All SCCFS employees, volunteers, contractors, practicum students and Board Members shall:
1. Support the belief that Aboriginal social and cultural traditions are the strongest resources for helping families.
2. Utilize the wisdom and applicability of traditional teachings in their practice.
3. Encourage and support the use of materials that are culturally relevant in content and method, in providing effective Aboriginal child welfare services.
4. Support the belief that the values and principles of traditional teachings support effective practice today.
5. Strive to work effectively within the context of Aboriginal cultural, to be culturally competent, and respectful.
6. Provide effective services to families with an understanding of history, the dynamics of oppression, contemporary politics, and the influence that these have in Aboriginal families’ lives.
7. Support the belief that the highest priorities for child welfare are the child’s safety and well- being.
8. Protect children through services that preserve and strengthen their families, extended families and their tribes.
9. Hold a commitment to a child’s sense of belonging including the child’s right to grow up within his or her own extended family, Aboriginal community and culture.
10. Be committed to compliance with the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA) and
Contents
Our Core Values ...... 5
Members of the Board of Directors ...... 7
Heroes of Surrounded by Cedar ...... 8
Agenda ...... 9
Minutes of the 2015/16 Annual General Meeting ...... 10
Reflections of the President, Della Preston ...... 16
Report of the Executive Director, Jennifer Chuckry...... 17
Elder in Residence, Alex Nelson ...... 20
Our Year in Numbers ...... 22
Guardianship & Permanency Planning, Alysha Brown ...... 24
Resources & Support Services, Robin Croteau ...... 26
Lifelong Connections, Seneca Ambers ...... 29
Intensive Youth Support Worker, Rachel Street ...... 31
Cultural Programming, Sandra Lacroix ...... 33
Child & Youth Counselling, Jennifer Dreyer ...... 36
Back to School Picnic ...... 39
Audited Financial Statements ...... 40
Members of the Board of Directors
Della Preston President
Suzanne Wilkinson Vice President
Jacquie Green Secretary
Niki Bresser Treasurer
Bruce Underwood Director
VACANT Director
VACANT Nuu-Chah-Nulth Representative
Victor Newman Elder Representative (On Leave)
Heroes of Surrounded by Cedar
Administration Team Executive Assistant Maren Gray Office Coordinator Jan Theunisz Guardianship Team Assistant Alana Lukenbill-Williams Resources Team Assistant Katie Jacobs Office Assistant Charlene Barney Cultural Programming Cultural Program Coordinator Sabrina Williams (on leave) Acting Cultural Program Coordinator Seneca Ambers Cultural Support Worker Sandra Lacroix Elder in Residence Elder Alex Nelson Child & Youth Counselling Child & Youth Counselor Jennifer Dreyer Support Services Lifelong Connections Worker Seneca Ambers Intensive Youth Support Worker Rachel Street Guardianship & Permanency Planning Team Leader Alysha Brown Social Worker Kristina Griffiths Social Worker Shelley Lafrance Social Worker Jenna Bailey (on leave) Social Worker Brendan Elliott (auxiliary) Social Worker Nola Campbell Social Worker Bel Manson Practicum Student Kelsey Sprague Resources Team Leader Robin Croteau Social Worker Danielle St. Clair Social Worker Wes Haase Social Worker Loreen Keefe (auxiliary) Finance Finance Manager Maria Sampare Executive Executive Director Jennifer Chuckry
Agenda Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services Annual General Meeting The Parish of St. Peter & St. Paul Hall, 1379 Esquimalt Road, Victoria BC Tuesday, September 26, 2017
4:30 pm Registration 5:20 p.m. Dinner Prayer 6:20 p.m. Welcome to Territory 6:30 p.m. AGM Business: Welcome & Opening Remarks: Della Preston, President Call to Order: Bill Bresser Establish Quorum Review Agenda for September 26, 2017 Motion to Accept Agenda for September 26, 2017 Review 2015/16 AGM Minutes from January 26, 2017 Business Arising from Minutes Motion to Approve the 2015/16 AGM Minutes Report of the President: Della Preston Motion to Approve the Report of the President Report of the Executive Director: Jennifer Chuckry Motion to Approve the Report of the Executive Director Report of the Treasurer: Niki Bresser with BDO Financial Motion to Accept the Financial Statements and Report of the Treasurer Appointment of the Auditor Motion to Accept the Appointment of the Auditor for 2017/18 Questions from the Floor Board Elections Call for Nominations Motion to Close Nominations from the Floor Motion to Adjourn Business 7:30 p.m. Closing
Minutes of the 2015/16 Annual General Meeting January 26, 2017 Venue: St. Peter and St. Paul’s Anglican Parish, 1379 Esquimalt Rd
4:30PM Registration 5:35PM Acknowledgement and Traditional Territory Welcome – Bradley Dick Introduction of the Chair – Ron Rice
1. Opening Remarks and Welcome from SCCFS President – Della Preston Introduction and opening remarks by Della Preston, President of the Board of Directors.
2. Meeting called to Order: 5:45PM
3. Establish Quorum – 32 voting members
4. Review Agenda for January 26, 2017
5. Motion #1 – Move to adopt the Agenda for January 26, 2017 Moved: Bruce Parisian Seconded: Asma Antoine All in Favour Motion Carried.
6. Review 2014/2015 AGM Minutes from October 27, 2015
7. Motion #2 – Move to approve 2014/2015 AGM Minutes (reviewed by the Board Feb 2016) Moved: Ellen Newman Seconded: Bruce Parisian All in Favour Motion Carried.
8. Business Arising from the Minutes • None
9. Verbal Report of the President – Della Preston • Welcoming remarks and acknowledgement of traditional territory. • Introduction of self, and acknowledgement of current Board Directors and staff. • Acknowledgement of Nella Nelson, Board Director and Riley McKenzie, former Executive Director for years of service.
• C6 Child Protection delegation is on pause until further community engagement and consultation can take place. • Recap of agency successes in 2016: rescindment of CCO, reunification of family, various cultural ceremonies for children and youth. • The agency is committed to ensuring and strengthening connections with community partners. • The Board of Directors blanketed Bruce Underwood and made apologies for the hurt caused to him at the 2015 Annual General Meeting. Jacquie Green shared her teachings around making amends. • Bruce Underwood accepted the blanket and apology and indicated no hard feelings. • Remarks from Esquimalt Nation Chief Andy Thomas: Acknowledgement of blanketing. • Remarks from VNFC Executive Director, Bruce Parisian: Acknowledgement and recognition of apology and strengthening relationships of community partners. • Remarks from community member Kathy Jim.
10. Motion #3 – To Approve the Report of the President Moved: Bruce Parisian Seconded: Bruce Underwood All in Favour Motion Carried.
11. Report of the Acting Executive Director – Jennifer Chuckry • Opening remarks, acknowledgement of territory, Elders, Chiefs, and matriarchs; introduction of self, former role as Guardianship Worker and currently acting as Executive Director since September 2016. • The organization faced a lot of adversity and transition this year. • The C6 Child Protection delegation process is on pause to take time to strengthen relationships with the community and Nations. • Moment of silence to acknowledge losses in 2016. • The agency is continuing to strive for meaningful cultural programming for youth in care. Youth and Elder dinners continue and the Sastup Minh Animal Kingdom dance group was revived. • The agency partnered with the VNFC to deliver Youth Leadership programming and workshops touching on subjects such as grief and loss, residential schooling, and Alternatives to Violence training. • Surrounded by Cedar currently cares for 92 children and youth. 59 are under the age of twelve (12), and 33 are twelve (12) and over, representing nations from all across Canada. 33% of the children/youth are Nuu-chah-nulth.
• Permanency planning has been a major focus. This year, four (4) children were adopted/transfer of custody, twelve (12) youth are aging out of care, and in March 2014, the agency experienced their first cancellation of a Continuing Custody Order, and the youth was returned to his father’s care. The team is pursuing a number of other rescindments. • The agency witnessed a tremendous year for youth, transitioning out of care at the Nest to Wings Ceremony, graduating High School, becoming valedictorian and one youth committing a heroic act by saving his foster brother from nearly drowning. • This year, youth attended the Gathering Our Voices Conference, Kamloopa Powwow , visited their traditional territories and participated in agency Welcoming Ceremonies. • In response to the current fentanyl and opioid crisis, the agency is focusing on harm reduction strategies, policy development and Naloxone administration training. • The Resource department increased care homes from 39 to 49. Recruitment and retention continues to be a focus. In October, SCCFS recognized and celebrated our Caregivers at the Foster Parent Appreciation Luncheon. • The Resource team and a number of caregivers established the Surrounded by Cedar Foster Parent Association, a table that meets regularly for support, workshops and cultural mentorship. • The support services teams had a great year. The Life Long Connections worker received a number of referrals and connected with 17 communities on behalf of our children and youth. The LLC Worker assisted with a number of Safe Home studies and focused on the development of 13 genealogies. • The Intensive Youth Support Worker program is pivotal in supporting youth age 12 to 19 that are at risk or potential to become at risk. • The Child and Youth Counselling program provided one to one counselling for children and youth, working with MCFD and other organizations focusing on crisis intervention and mental health advocacy. Moving forward the program will be focusing on a program evaluation and contract deliverables. This will include 4 groups per year. • The staff and Board participated in Strategic Planning, revitalizing the work done in 2014. Looking forward in 2017, the agency will be focusing on meaningful work plans, keeping the community informed and re-establishing and nurturing existing relationships. • Acknowledgement to the staff for their gifts of dedication and passion for their work with the children and youth. • Acknowledgement to the Board for their tremendous work over the last few months. • Acknowledgement to Maren Gray for organizing the Annual General Meeting. • Acknowledgement to Ron Rice his contribution at the AGM, and his continued work and support of the Back to School Picnic • Acknowledgement to Ministry of Children and Families, for standing beside this agency, offering mentorship and support.
• Acknowledgement to the community, membership and sister organizations.
12. Motion #4 – To Approve the Report of the Acting Executive Director Moved: Paul Lacerte Seconded: Asma Antoine All in Favour Motion Carried.
13. Report of the Treasurer – Nicole Bresser, SCCFS Board Treasurer and Bill Cox (Auditor, BDO Canada) • Opening remarks, acknowledgement of territory, colleagues, Elders, Chiefs, community members and leaders; introduction of self. • Review of Financial Reports. • The Treasurer reported that the agency is in a strong position moving into 2017 and will be looking at alternative grants and funding opportunities to bring program and service monies into the organization. • Introduction of Bill Cox, auditor from BDO Canada. • The auditor reported that the organization has matured and is in strong financial standing. The audit report was a very clean financial audit, demonstrating solid accounting information. • Financials Statements were reviewed and approved by the Board October 25th, 2016.
QUESTIONS: • Bruce Underwood sought clarification around the increase of agency assets from 2015 to 2016 and the budget line for ‘materials and supplies’. The Auditor noted the agency in good financial position. The Statement of Operations (page 4) indicated the revenue exceeded the expenses, due to the expansion of the level of services provided. The Finance Manager clarified that ‘materials and supplies’ includes the cost of all the resources in care homes.
14. Motion #5 – To Accept the Report of the Treasure Moved: Bruce Parisian Seconded: Bruce Underwood. All in Favour Motion Carried.
15. Appointment of the Auditor • The Chair made a motion to appoint BDO as the Auditor for SCCFS for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
16. Motion #6 – To Accept the Appointment of the Auditor for 2016-2017 Moved: Bruce Underwood Seconded: Bruce Parisian. All in Favour Motion Carried.
17. Questions/remarks to the Board from the floor • Paul Lacerte expressed appreciation and gratitude on behalf of himself and his wife to the Board of Directors for their hard work and commitment to the organization and the community and their roles as volunteers.
18. Board Elections – Call for Nominations to the Floor
Nominee #1: Della Preston Nominated by: Ellen Newman Accept Nomination: Yes
Nominee #2: Bruce Underwood Nominated by: Bruce Parisian Accept Nomination: Yes
Nominee #3: Suzanne Wilkinson Nominated by: Nicole Bresser Accept Nomination: Yes
Nominee #4: Bruce Parisian Nominated by: Chief Andy Thomas Accept Nomination: No
Nominee #5: Asma Antoine Nominated by: Bruce Parisian Accept Nomination: Ineligibility (member for less than 60 days)
19. Motion #7 – To Close Nominations from the Floor Moved: Victor Newman Seconded: Todd Ormiston All in Favour
Motion Carried.
Della Preston, Suzanne Wilkinson and Bruce Underwood elected to the Board of Directors for a term of 3 years each.
20. Motion #8 – To Adjourn Business and Close the Floor Moved: Bruce Parisian Seconded: Bruce Underwood All in Favour Motion Carried.
Blessing of the Tables: Bradley Dick
Catering by: Jessica Sault, SeeFood Catering. Adjournment
Reflections of the President, Della Preston
In September 2016 Jennifer Chuckry became the Acting Executive Director. In October we started the recruitment process for a new posting for the Executive Director and on January 30, Jennifer Chuckry officially became our Executive Director.
We hosted our annual Welcoming event for children and youth who were previously under the care of MCFD and have now been transferred to the agency. We started discussions to hold community meetings with the local First Nations to build our relationships. In November communications were sent to the agency’s caregivers clarifying some of the staff changes that have taken place and the agency’s intent around C6 planning. We supported our sister agency by attending Hulitan’s AGM this past November 29, 2016.
With the changes to the Societies Act, SCCFS has begun work on updating the Societies bylaws and will complete this work in 2018. Kathi Camilleri facilitated a staff and Board visioning on November 25, 2016. This year we hosted an organisational Strategic Planning session that took place on January 18, facilitated by Pawa Haiyupis.
The Board supported staff training for Harassment and Bullying Training for all agency’s managers on January 31, 2017. There was also Lateral Violence, Conflict Resolution and Non-Verbal Communication Skills training for all staff on February 1 & 2, 2017.
In April, SCCFS had a meeting with MCFD to clearly define that we are putting C6 delegation on hold to prioritize building relationships with community partners and re-establishing protocols with local First Nations.
Our annual Nest to Wings Ceremony was a remarkably special event in the spring and our summer saw huge success in our community Back to School Picnic. I want to thank the staff for all their hard work and dedication to our children and families.
Report of the Executive Director, Jennifer Chuckry
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the Lkwungen people, whose lands our office is situated upon, whose lands we work and play upon each day. I am a visitor to this territory, and I give thanks to the traditional keepers of these beautiful lands and waters. I would also like to acknowledge the WSÁNE̱ Ć, T’sou-ke, MÁlexeŁ, and Scia’new people whose traditional territories Surrounded by Cedar also conducts its business upon. You have cared for these territories from time immemorial, nurtured the spirits of the land, the water and the air. For this, I am truly grateful.
Incorporated in September, 2002, this year marks the 15th year anniversary of Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services as a Society! In actuality, SCCFS’ story began in 1993, through the collective efforts of an Aboriginal planning group known as the First Nations Interagency Team. Comprised of Aboriginal professionals, educators, helpers and healers, the First Nations Interagency Team was instrumental in the development of an urban Aboriginal child welfare planning body that came to be known as Many Generous Hands. In 2001, Many Generous Hands evolved into the Victoria Urban Aboriginal Steering Committee Society (VUASC) which was incorporated in February of that same year. Directors of this Society were made of up representatives from the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, Hulitan Social Services, and Métis Community Services. A two year Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, which outlined that the goals of service would be to build an urban Aboriginal child and family services agency in Victoria, British Columbia.
In mid-2001, the VUASC hired its first Executive Director, Shelley Johnson. By mid-2002, the VUASC was given its new name by John Aitken, Coast Salish & Haida: Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services Society. In brainstorming his idea, John stated: “I thought about what links all the Nations together on the Island. I looked up in the corner of my office and saw this big branch of cedar hanging there that I brought in from my home. The name just made sense”. John went on to explain, “All of the First Nations on this Island use cedar in many ways. Cedar is sacred to the Island peoples and is a constant and continuing way to connect our peoples to the land. Cedar has spiritual, emotional, mental and physical uses in our cultures. This is what I understand about the uses of cedar and what I use it for. When Coast Salish babies were born, traditionally we were kept in a basket of cedar. Today, when Coast Salish people pass on, their casket is surrounded by cedar boughs. Cedar boughs are used to brush your body during cleansing rituals and used to cleanse rooms. Cedar is hung in homes for protection against bad medicine/spirits, is missed with other plants in teas for medicine, is used to make baskets, clothes and tools. Cedar is used as a way to let my ancestors know they are welcome in this place, that they are welcome in my home. It’s my way to acknowledge them. Naming the new child and family agency ‘Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services’ is a good way to let children and families coming here know they are welcome in this place, welcome in our home”. At that same time, SCCFS was given its first logo, designed by lessLIE.
In 2003, SCCFS stepped out into the world and opened its first location on Vancouver Street, and has continued to grow and evolve since that time. In early 2004, the agency received funding to hire and train two social workers, and signed its first Delegation Enabling Agreement with the Province in May, 2005. By 2008, SCCFS moved locations and set up shop on Quadra Street and received its first transfer of children and youth in care in early 2009. Finally, in mid-2013, SCCFS moved to its current location in Admirals Walk, where it is responsible for up to 100 urban Aboriginal children and youth in care.
Over the years, the creation, birth and growth of SCCFS has only been possible with the ongoing advocacy of the Aboriginal community and the wisdom and guidance of the agency’s Board of Directors. The agency’s partnership with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the agency’s key funder, has also been pivotal to the agency’s success. SCCFS raises its hands in gratitude to those who have supported the agency over the years, to those who envisioned this organization and were instrumental in its development, and to the children, youth and families whom we walk with each day.
SCCFS has been focused on a number of priorities throughout the year. The main priority has been stabilizing our team and organization after significant changes throughout 2016. Great focus has gone into the recruitment and retention of qualified employees whose values align with the vision, mandate and core values of the organization. Staffing now feels stabilized within the organization. The development of an Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Strategy is also a major priority, and this work is well underway. In early 2017, the Board of Directors and staff participated in one day of strategic planning with the overall goal of revitalizing the strategic planning work that took place at the end of 2014. A strategic plan is now in place for the agency, and has shaped the agency’s overall work plan for the 2017/18 fiscal year.
Focusing on retention, the agency’s social committee was reshaped into a Wellness Committee, with the goals of increasing employee morale, employee recognition, and cultural knowledge sharing. Feedback from employees was identified as a priority for the organization, and the leadership team has been receiving regular feedback since late 2016.
Over the next several months, SCCFS will be working alongside the Jouta Performance Group on various human resources priorities. This is an area within the organization that requires a significant amount of work. Jouta will be assisting the agency with several key tasks, including: developing a comprehensive employee handbook that is culturally aligned with the values of SCCFS, and protect the organization legally; analyzing job profiles and creating up to date position descriptions; development of a performance program that is culturally aligned and relevant; onboarding and orientation; and recruitment and selection.
In May, 2017, SCCFS’ delegated programs underwent a practice audit with the Province and we are pleased to report that the overall results are satisfactory. As the agency prepared for the audit, we were aware that there would be areas of challenge, based on the number of staffing changes that took place in 2016. We are now awaiting the final report from the province and the development of a work plan that will address the gaps in practice.
Permanency planning for our children and youth in care remains a top priority for SCCFS. As such, an internal Permanency Planning Committee has been established, with the intention of tracking and monitoring the progress of permanency plans, identifying individual and systemic barriers that prevent timely permanency planning, increasing practice consistency, and ensuring all permanency plans include a plan to nurture the child/youth’s cultural identity.
The agency’s annual events were a success over this last year. A foster parent appreciation luncheon was hosted at Harbour Towers to honour the amazing dedication of our caregivers. The Nest to Wings Ceremony took place at the Wawadiťła, where our high school graduates and youth preparing to leave care were honoured. Guests from Canim Lake Indian Band attended this amazing ceremony and paid witness to the work of the organization.
Connecting our children and youth to their traditional territories continued throughout this year. This is an integral part of how SCCFS cares for its children and youth, and is a crucial part of building strong, meaningful relationships in our children’s lives. Some of our travels included the Hobiyee celebrations, Ahousaht Home Coming, Gilford Island, Yellow Wolf Pow-Wow and Fort St. James Culture Camp.
Building, rebuilding and nurturing relationships with community and community partners has been a major focus for the organization. The work of SCCFS is not possible without strong connections and SCCFS remains so grateful to all of its partners for their ongoing support and belief in the work of this organization. A huge thank you to the South Island Wellness Society, Island Métis Community Services, the Victoria Native Friendship and NIL/TU,O Child & Family Services for opening your doors to SCCFS.
In closing, I raise my hands to our incredibly dedicated group of employees. I am honoured each day to work alongside such an amazing group of people who care so deeply for our children, our youth, our families, and our communities. You show up every day with your hearts on your sleeves. You navigate really complex situations and given endlessly of yourselves. Thank you to each of you for all that you do, each and every single day.
Ekosi.
Elder in Residence, Alex Nelson
Firstly, thank you Creator for this moment. Thank you Lkwungen people for your sacred Lands, as I remain honored and humbled to live in this Land! Thank you Surrounded by Cedar for opening your Big House and sharing our responsibilities, to love and care for our Sinadum (our Sacred Children), to remind ourselves of who we are and where we come from!
Going into my 6th year as Resident Elder for SCCFS, my continued role is to facilitate a positive, respectful and culturally appropriate environment. I offer whatever I can through my cultural experiences, knowledge, skills and beliefs, and support to staff, caregivers, parents and youth in a way that incorporates services rooted in strong cultural values.
This Agency has come through challenges of change, and has managed to maintain its’ focus of “doing things differently”, a process of profiling and working with/towards indigenous practices! This is reflected through cultural ceremonies and practices such as:
Opening/closing prayers, smudging, cedar bough & feather brushings; Acknowledgement of Traditional Territories and Host Nations; Welcoming Ceremonies; Age Ceremonies; Cedar Claus; Youth visits to their tribal home lands; Youth/Elder gatherings; Gift giving; Foster Parent recognition celebrations; Healers & Healing self-care ceremonies; and Surrounded By Cedar Children’s Song.
Related to the above list I have been involved in the following programs: 1. Nest to Wings, hosted at the Wawadiťła Big House, May 2017 when SCCFS celebrated the aging out of Youth in Care. This was conducted applying traditional practices and ceremonies. The youth exercised their voice, to acknowledge those who have worked with them. 2. Gathering Our Voices, hosted by BC Association of Friendship Centers in Kelowna, March 2017, delivered a memorable evening to celebrate children in care, with renowned guest speaker Grand Chief Stewart Phillips. 3. Foster Parent recognition celebration was hosted in Harbour Towers, as I was Master of Ceremonies.
4. 2016 Annual Winter Feast Celebration was hosted at Da Vinci Hall, where my wife Nella and I became Cedar Claus, which provided family photos of children in care, foster parents, and community members. 5. Farewell Gathering with SCCFS staff, celebrated with a caregiver and the children in her care, as they relocated to Duncan. The youth were blanketed and gifted with positive messages. 6. I met with several of my own family from Fort Rupert (Kwakiutl Band) and Gilford Island (Kwicksutainuek-Hawamish Band), who travelled from up island to visit their respective relatives who are Children in Care. In preparation for a youth’s first visit to his home territory in Gilford, I took the opportunity to offer our Social Workers orientation as to these respective Villages and Lands. 7. Summer Youth Leadership Camp: I offered stories and opening prayers to our Summer Camps, in preparation for their outdoor field trips. 8. I have attended Elder/Youth Dinners, when youth in care attend and mingle with our community Elders. Elders take the opportunity to provide traditional teachings and story tell. Youth are taught to serve the Elders, as an act of “learning to respect your Elders!”
We are rich in cultural diversities and we remain determined to learn and teach our youth and communities about Indigenousness! I look forward to my continued role and service with SCCFS, and I will build on what we have! Our Creator gives us so much, and we remain grateful.
Our Year in Numbers
Number of Children/Youth in Care by Nation Total Children/Youth Who 35 Were Supported to 30 30 Visit Their 25 Traditional Territories: 20 15 13 24 10 8 3 4 3 3 4 Number of Youth 5 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 Who Graduated 0
From High School:
Cree Cree Cree
Cree
Dene
Sto:lo
Haida
Dakota
Gitxsan
Iriquios Ojibway
Ojibway 2
Blackfoot
Cherokee
Chippewas
WaKai We
Coast Salish
Interior Salish
Not Identified
Ojibway/Cree Kwikwasut'inu
Carrier/Dekelh Number of
Nuu-Chah-Nulth Kwakwaka'wakw Kwakwaka'wakw Children/Youth
Wet’suwe’ten/Carrier Placed With
Relatives: Tsimshian/Nuu-Chah-Nulth AB BC FLA MB ON SK 12 Number of Children/Youth Indigenous Foster Families at SCCFS: Entering and Leaving Agency Care 14 2 Number of New Foster Homes 5 Opened by SCCFS: Aged Out 4
Transferred to Another Number of New Agency Foster Parent Transferred to SCCFS Applications Received: 10 5
Resources: Files Transfers to SCCFS/Openings 3.5 3 3
2.5 2 2 2 1.5 Total 1 1
0.5
0 November February March April 2016 2017
Primary Resources: Resources: Primary - File Transfers and Closures Pending Current Caseload Secondary Closed 1 5 2 - 14 of our files are Aboriginal Foster Closed - No Case Homes Made Transferred to - 5 of our files are another office Extended Family (Restricted) Care homes that care for 1 12 of our Children and Youth 13
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Guardianship & Permanency Planning, Alysha Brown
Hello Everyone! My name is Alysha Brown and I am honoured to have been in the role of Team Leader for the Guardianship and Permanency Planning Team since November 2016. In addition, I am still working with three youth from my previous caseload with some significant challenges and barriers. This has been a busy and challenging learning curve for me and I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity, and thank everyone for their patience during my first year in the role! I am honoured to work with Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services, alongside an amazing team of committed, like-minded people, who are so incredibly passionate about making a difference in the lives of our children and families in our urban Aboriginal community. I am forever grateful to the Lkwungen people who share their beautiful territories with all of us each day.
There has been little change on the Guardianship and Permanency Planning Team over the last year. We have a great team of five guardianship social workers: Kristina Griffiths, Jenna Bailey, Shelley Lafrance, Nola Campbell and Bel Manson. In May of this year we welcomed Brendan Elliott onto the team who is doing an excellent job of covering for Jenna’s maternity leave! Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience working with children and families within the Aboriginal community and I am so honoured to be able to grow and learn with these workers. We also have an amazing, cheerful, supportive and patient Team Assistant: Alana Lukenbill-Williams, who continues to provide the best level of support for us to do our jobs. We also thank Loreen Keefe who has joined us as a float Social Worker and is providing support to both this team and the Resource team: helping us to complete Care Plans, Proposal Packages and complete home studies. I am honoured to have worked with this wonderful team of people and am happy to report that our relatively new team has come together and formed a strong bond, with the shared goal of supporting our children in care and working towards better outcomes.
One of our dedicated Social Workers has chosen to accept another position in her home town in Kamloops – on September 28 2017, Nola Campbell will leave the agency. We are extremely sad to see her go but understand the need to be close to family and to experience a different area of Social Work. Thank you Nola, for all of your dedicated work over the last 10 months! We look forward to a new Social Worker joining the team.
As of September 2017, Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services is providing services to 90 urban Aboriginal children and youth in the continuing care of the Director. This number has decreased since
our last AGM, when we were servicing approximately 92 children and youth in care due to a few transfers to other services areas on the island, and youth aging out of care. We strive each day to provide services rooted in culture and connectedness, working with children and youth from Nations stretching right across Canada. This number includes several inter-provincial transfers from Alberta and Manitoba, as well as courtesy work we provide for children placed in the care of Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Child and Family Services. Although the work is incredibly challenging, emotional, and complex, it is also extremely rewarding and we support each other as best we can.
During the 2017 year, a total of three youth left care on their 19th birthdays – and another in October. Many of these youth continue to engage with our agency in some capacity, and we are also so grateful to have them come back and connect. A ceremony took place in June 2017 to recognize and honour this transition for our youth leaving care this year.
We saw two youth graduate from high school this year, both from the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation! What an incredible accomplishment for these young people. We are so incredibly proud of these youth and look forward to where their paths will take them next. One of these youth began courses at Camosun College this month to become an Office Administrator and we hope she works for us one day! Some of the issues that our children and youth are currently facing, are global societal issues within our communities: addictions, mental illness, lack of housing for youth aging out, lack of services, disconnection from community, etc. We continue to strive to support these youth by creating a support system that will follow them into adulthood, and often include collaboration with other community agencies.
On a positive note, our agency supported two children in care this year to participate in the Hobiyee Celebrations (Nisga’a New Year) in Vancouver in February, 2017. We had 5 youth participate in the Gathering Our Voices Youth Conference in Kelowna in March 2017. In August, 2017, 7 of our youth in care attended the Yellow Wolf Powwow in Tsartlip. We had 2 youth who attended the Representative for Children and Youth’s Ignite Your Spirit Camp in August 2017. Unfortunately our plans for Kamloopa Powwow were cancelled due to the forest fires this year but we definitely plan to go next year! One of our youth recently won an art competition that is being unveiled as part of the One Wave Festival in Victoria and hopes to continue this passion in the community.
Connecting children and youth to their home territories remains a priority for Surrounded by Cedar. We had the fortune of supporting several children and families to travel to home territories throughout
the year. This included our children in care travelling to Alert Bay, Hazelton, Guilford Island, Tofino, Zeballos and Squamish to see family. More formal trips with Social Workers included some of our children participating in welcoming home ceremonies: in Tl’azt’en, Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht territories. The photos from some of these experiences fill our hearts and remind us that the work we do to connect our children, is vital. All children have a right to visit their home territories, and Surrounded by Cedar will continue to provide these opportunities as often as possible. The team looks forward to making connection to family and territory a priority for the upcoming year, with plans to travel to further east to Saskatchewan and Ontario.
There continues to be great effort made to ensure that permanency planning happens for our children and youth in care in a timely manner. We have had several family members step forward to care for their family’s children and that has to be one of the most rewarding things to witness. We have had a few of our children placed with family members with the end goal of permanency. Our biggest challenge with completing permanency plans is workload - as workload permits, we continue to do the necessary work to move forward with these plans: searching for family, completing home studies, and ensuring all processes have been thorough and complete. Our goal is to establish permanency for each child and youth within our agency. This year, we have had 3 children return home to their mothers and siblings and are really excited about completing those plans in court within the next few months!! We would like to acknowledge all of the hard work and dedication of these families – it was a long journey and we’re coming so close to finalizing these processes!
I look forward to the challenges and rewards that the next year will bring. The amazing commitment of the entire Surrounded by Cedar team fills my heart, and their devotion and dedication keeps me so grounded and grateful to work with this agency. Each day we come to work with a commitment to creating better outcomes for our community and I am confident in saying that we are making a difference!
Resources & Support Services, Robin Croteau
The past year has been one of re-grouping, stabilization and recovering from the many changes that took place in 2016. I am happy to report that although it is a continuous journey it has so far been a successful one. Once again I want to acknowledge how privileged I am to be able to work alongside an amazing group of people who show such dedication and commitment to those they work with as well as to the values, beliefs and vision of Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services.
Within the Family Preservation team there are 3 positions; Lifelong Connections, Intensive Youth Support, and Cultural Programming. The role of The Lifelong Connections Worker is to perform extensive searches for family members for both Surrounded by Cedar children in care and the Ministry for Children and Family Development Aboriginal children in care. This role is crucial to permanency planning for our children as a permanent home within family and community may be located, or connections established with family and community that have been lost, but at the very least provide the child/youth with a genogram and information around their heritage and where they come from.
The Intensive Youth Support Worker position was created in March 2014. The role of the Intensive Youth Support Worker is to provide support to high risk youth 12 to 19 years of age. These supports include but are not limited to connecting youth with cultural resources within the community, assistance with finding shelter, accessing basic needs or developing independent living skills through appropriate means. Both of these positions provide service to Surrounded by Cedar and the Ministry of Children and Family Development. In January 2017 Bel Manson resigned from her position as Intensive Youth Support Worker to take a vacant position on the Permanency Planning team. This position was filled in March by Rachel Street. Rachel comes to the agency with many years of experience in working with youth. We are pleased to welcome her to the agency. The Cultural Program provides integral cultural teachings and programs for our youth, Elders, community and families. The work that is done with our youth creates a strong sense of belonging and identity. Through Youth Leadership groups, Youth and Elder dinner, day camps during spring break and pro-D days, as well as summer camps on the land it is amazing to see how many of our youth grow and learn throughout the year. The cultural events calendar has been created for the upcoming year. This year we were unable to accommodate a youth through the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program but will be applying for a Youth intern for the summer of 2018.
Currently we have a total of 49 caregivers. In addition, 1 SAFE Home Study has been completed with 2 others in the beginning stages of the process. The recruitment of new caregivers is ongoing. We manned two booths this year at National Aboriginal Day and PRIDE. From these two events we received 8 new applicants and have started the process with them. Our agency continues to work closely with the Ministry of Children and Family Development in recruiting and sharing caregivers. October is Foster Parent Appreciation month and we will once again honor our caregivers with a luncheon. This year some of our caregivers developed and implemented a SBC foster parent group.
The purpose of the group is to provide support and training around culture for Aboriginal children in care.
With the acknowledgement, respect and support of each other we continue to stabilize and grow over the past year. I am so proud of our teams, the agency and the work we all do.
Lifelong Connections, Seneca Ambers
Yo, my name is Seneca Ambers. I am the Lifelong Connections Worker for Surrounded by Cedar. This year has been filled with lots of opportunity and lots of challenges. As we meet with families, and communities; good conversation around the various permanency options continue to happen. Many children have learned about who they are, where they come from and what territory they belong to. This is important as we want to support all youth to develop a strong identity. Many children and youth will have questions about where they come from and what kind of culture is there inherent right to practice. My hope is that we can answer all the questions that we are presented with and to be the best support as possible. This work begins with locating the child’s community and family, learning about the culture and way of life, and sharing the findings with the guardian, caregiver and child. The hope is that we can create opportunities of long term, permanent connection. I look forward to this upcoming year and working with our Gwalayu (reason for breathing).
Output Indicators (9 months) • New referrals: 9 • Closed: 8 • Total referrals: 27 • Genealogies: 6 • SAFE studies: 1
Challenges: waiting for results back for a home study, from Centralized Screening took longer than anticipated. There is only one of me and many referrals to get to while juggling 2 programs.
Opportunities/Successes: • One child returned to his mother as of March 2017. • 2 great aunties came to meet their nephew for the first time. They traveled from Quatsino (Port Hardy area) to Victoria to spend a week visiting their nephew. The trip was a success and the family will be maintaining contact through email/phone call and mail. There will be more visits in the near future. • A young one in our care was able to meet his great grandparents for the first time. The visit was a great success and the grandparents would like to have their grandson go and live with them. A SAFE Home Study process has begun. This worker has been assigned to the home study. • 2 weeks as Acting Cultural Program Supervisor. • Currently Acting Cultural Program Coordinator. • Working with a father to obtain his birth records so that he may search for his biological family and so that we can have more information to provide to his son who is in the care of MCFD.
• Working with a Guardian and South Island Wellness Society. This worker presented findings from a previous search. A new approach to connect the family to 2 young people we have in our care, will be explored. • Working on a team to support a young child to connect with his culture and his family.
Additional Opportunities/Responsibilities: • Occupational Health and Safety Committee • 2 day Lateral Violence in The Workplace training • SAFE studies • Supervision of the Cultural Program • Supporting the Permanency worker to gather information for permanency packages • 2 summer camps (planning and participating) • Escorted some children and youth to the Tsartlip Pow Wow • Enrolled in a Camosun College Course (Psychology and Gender)
Intensive Youth Support Worker, Rachel Street
The Intensive Youth Support Worker (IYSW) position began at Surrounded by Cedar in March of 2014. Its focus is to help support the continued capacity and skill development of either high risk youth or youth in need of additional supports outside of the traditional guardianship responsibilities. The youth worker is responsible for a variety of duties as it pertains to youth between the ages of twelve to nineteen. In addition, the youth worker could potentially be available to support youth who are post majority, however, only for a specified time while the youth child in care file is still open with the social worker responsible.
Referrals to the IYSW generally come from social workers at the Ministry of Children and Families or from Surrounded by Cedar. The agency will accept referrals from other ancillary agencies that are working with urban Aboriginal families and youth as well. Since the creation of the IYSW position in March of 2014, there have been a total of 51 files opened and youth accepted, encompassing a variety of goals for each youth. The amount of time each file stays open is based entirely on the youth and his or her participation and engagement with the IYSW as well as what each youth requires. Since I took on the position at the end of March 2017 there have been 7 files continued from the previous worker, and 11 new referrals. I carry an active and full caseload of 15 youth with a waitlist of 4 referrals.
As previously mentioned I took over the role of IYSW at the end of March this year. Allow me a moment here to introduce myself: My name is Rachel Street and I am honoured to be a part of the Surrounded by Cedar family. I completed my higher education and the first few years of working in this field in England before moving to Victoria in 2011. I have over 9 years’ experience working with at risk, high risk and high needs youth. I have worked with youth in the foster care system, the youth justice system, street entrenched youth, drug and alcohol addiction, trauma, PTSD, mental health difficulties and exploitation. Building safe, respectful connections filled with compassion is of the utmost priority when working with any youth on my caseload. This work is done from the heart, I feel honoured and privileged to work with the youth that I do.
This work does come with challenges of course. Starting to build a connection with the youth can take time; there is often a reluctance to allow another adult in to their life and it can take a long time to build trust. This work has taught me what true patience and compassion really is. Youth are often disconnected from their family, community and culture and it can be a long time before a youth feels ready to explore this. I approach this with care, letting every youth know this is there for them with open arms when they are ready.
Another challenge is a lack of resources for youth in the community and long waiting periods for the resources there are. This requires creative planning in finding supports and services for the youth I work with. Over the past few months I have acquired a few more grey hairs but I have a full heart from the work I do with youth and for that I am truly grateful.
Cultural Programming, Sandra Lacroix
We have had a busy year with our Youth and Elder dinners, Professional Development day camps, Spring Break camp, Earthwalkers summer camp and our Leadership summer camp.
Pro D Day February 24th, 2017 We spent the morning outside enjoying nature and learning the importance of honoring our natural world and in the afternoon we welcomed guest Curtis Henry from the Pauquachin Nation. Curtis Henry shared teachings regarding working with cedar. While Curtis was with us, our young people worked very diligently on sanding and painting their own mini-paddles to take home.
Youth and Elder Dinners January 11th, February 15th, and April 5th, 2017 It is always a pleasure to spend some time with our Elders, share a meal and have interesting conversations. We were fortunate enough to have 3 Youth and Elder dinners this winter into spring. Our Elders always share so much of their own experiences and knowledge while engaging with the youth.
Youth Leadership Program (XE’XU T’ULUTS’THUT) Leadership continued at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre where youth engaged with the Alternatives to Violence program and facilitators through various interactive and role playing activities. August 21-25th our Youth Leadership program gathered for the week to enjoy the beach, the Salish Sea, Witty’s Lagoon, medicine teachings, berry picking and jam making. The week was fun filled and full of laughter and ease.
Earthwalkers Spring Break Camp March 27th-31st, 2017 A whole week of fun activities ensued with our Earthwalkers camp. We enjoyed a Royal BC Museum visit where our young people learned more about where they were from and viewed some of the traditional tools used and regalia their families wore. Kaleb Child (Musgam’dzi from the Kwakwaḵ a̱ʼwakw Nation) joined us one afternoon to share songs, stories and fun with us. Seneca Ambers (Tlowit’sis-Maʼamtagila̱ from the Kwakwaḵ a̱ʼwakw Nation) taught us how to care for and create cedar roses from cedar bark strips. Gordy Bear (Cree/Métis), joined us on our final day to teach us how to make drums and drumsticks, as well as share teaching regarding the drum. Gordy shared songs and stories with us throughout the day as families and caregivers helped string the drums.
July 24-28th, we held our Earthwalkers camp where we had 9 young people attend. Our week was filled with traditional games, a medicine walk, beach exploration, nature walks and cultural learning.
The cultural program coordinated 2 major events so far this year. The annual Nest to Wings Ceremony was held at Wawadiťła and a first time Traditional Dance Gathering event at the Songhees Wellness Centre.
Our annual Nest to Wings event on May 12th, was held at Wawadiťła where 6 youth were acknowledged for completing high school as well as blanketed as they age out of care with Surrounded by Cedar and continue on their journey into adulthood. This was an event that was well attended and heartfelt.
The Traditional Dance Gathering was a first time event on June 23rd where Surrounded by Cedar collaborated with the Surrounded by Cedar Foster Parents Association for a cultural event that would bring foster parents together with our Indigenous children and youth to witness several different dance groups. Petie Chalifoux mesmerized our children with her hoop dancing, Madelaine McCallum brought our children and youth to the stage to teach them a few pow wow dancing moves, the Indian Bay Drummers singers and dancers showcased their pow wow style, and finally the Kwaguʼł Dancers and Singers wowed us with their many amazing dances.
Child & Youth Counselling, Jennifer Dreyer
Group Counselling Services SCCFS resumed Group Counselling services in January, 2017. Consultations with SCCFS team members, and SCCFS caregivers identified the following priority areas: cultural identity development and addressing early childhood trauma for children 0-6; resilience and risk prevention programming for children 7-12; wellness and addictions recovery for youth 15-19; reconnection and resolving historic trauma for family members and children in care; and parenting children with complex trauma.
In March 2017, a children’s counselling group was held for children participating in Spring Break cultural programming at the agency. Five 2-hour workshops were hosted for a total of 10 hrs of mental health programming. There were nine participants, aged 7-12, all of whom were Aboriginal children in care. Workshops addressed building resilience and drug & alcohol prevention. Topics included: traditional self-care, social learning, emotional literacy, emotional regulation, and cultural identity development.
Summer 2017, a Girls Group for young women living with FASD was schedule for July 2017. Programming included: cultural identity development, traditional decision making, healthy relationships, and self-care rooted in cultural practice. Unfortunately, due to limited registration the group was canceled. SCCFS CYC followed up with caregivers and youth to learn how to improve accessibility and engagement, and the concuss was to run afterschool programming during the school year and to book summer programs at least 6 months in advance as families preplan summer holidays.
September 2017, a new Girl’s Group “Afternoon Art Circle & Girls’ Group” began. The program includes feedback from the summer program and is open to all young women ages 12-15, with special consideration for youth impacted by FASD/FAE. Topics include: coming of age and becoming young women; self-love and traditional self-care; goals and dreaming big/planning for adulthood; intimate relationships and Indigenous healthy sexuality; managing relationships with family and friends; and understanding intergeneration trauma and how it effects young women and families today. Five young women are registered in the program, and meet weekly for 1.5hrs for six weeks. This programming has been developed with the support of the Provincial Health Services Authority.
September 2017 also marks the beginning of a new kind of program at SCCFS for family members reconnecting with their children and relatives in care. Two monthly groups will be offered September 2017 – June 2018: Reconnection Support Group and Traditional Storytime for Families. The first group, is a monthly drop in circle for family members and extended family members building relationships with their kin in care. This program has been developed to meet a family service gap identified by the SCCFS delegated team pursuing permanency with family members. This group supports participants to address the challenges of reconnecting to children in care, manage unresolved grief and loss and historic trauma in their relationships with their children, restore traditional child rearing practices and build confidence in their role in their children’s lives. The second group, is a family group where participants from the Reconnection Support Group can join their children in a cultural sharing opportunity to participate in circle, learn traditional stories and create art pieces and play games together. This group not only enhances children and parents’ cultural identity it also supports reconnection and attachment goals covered in the Reconnection Support Group. Families will also receive a library of Indigenous children’s books to continue the connection of storytelling during visits. Both groups have been developed with input from SCCFS Permanency Workers and family members themselves to ensure programming addresses service gaps and community needs. This programming has been developed with the support of the Greater Victoria Public Library and Success By Six.
This summer 2017, SCCFS began the development of a caregiver support group that addresses the challenges of parenting Indigenous children and youth impacted by trauma. This group will cover Indigenous ways of healing, trauma informed caregiving strategies and guest presentations to learn how to improve outcomes for children and youth and reduce caregiver burnout. Topics include: overview of complex trauma and trauma informed parenting practice; culturally rooted response to stress and dysregulation; creating a trauma aware home; cultural connection, identity and belonging; crisis response/de-escalation; as well as caregiver support and self-care. Curriculum consolation will take place in fall 2017, with the support of Indigenous Perspective Society. SCCFS CYC is currently exploring funding opportunities for this program.
Clinical Consultation When SCCFS CYC returned to the delivery of group counselling service, temporarily suspending individual client counselling services, the need for clinical consultation was identified as an ongoing priority. The SCCFS CYC Clinician has therefore been participating in delegated team meetings, and integrated case management meetings to support the development and evaluation of mental health planning for SCCFS children and youth. Integrating this position has allowed the delegated team to work collaboratively on mental health and wellness planning to strive for interventions that reflect culturally relevant mental health services addressing complex trauma. Since January 2017, the SCCFS Clinician has provided 101 hours of consultation including two caseload reviews of current and historic mental health concerns, of all children in SCCFS care. In addition to consultation, the Clinician provides waitlist management and family support services for caregivers and families who are awaiting mental health services in community. Since January, 2017, the SCCFS Clinician has provided 78 hours of family support counselling services. With children and youth waiting between six months to a year to access mental health services and limited services that are culturally relevant, families require ongoing support to manage the daily challenges of unresolved trauma and ongoing mental health issues.
In 2016, SCCFS CYC was invited to contribute to the Aboriginal Strategic Priorities Manual for the Complex Care Initiative and continues to be involved in the implementation and ongoing development of the manual. This year SCCFS CYC began to accept referrals for the 18 month trauma informed approach to caring for children impacted by complex trauma as part of the Regional MCFD CCI Team.
Community Engagement This March 2017 SCCFS CYC participated in the Aids Vancouver Island Overdose Awareness and Prevention Symposium. SCCFS CYC provided feedback for a community action plan to address the opioid crisis in Aboriginal communities. As part of SCCFS’s efforts to become more informed about the overdose crisis, SCCFS and VNFC partnered to begin a series of community based workshops. To date two events have been hosted through their partnership: #TRUTHTALK which introduced drug use and recovery from an Indigenous perspective and a Naloxone Train the Trainer Event which taught workers how to teach their clients about overdose prevention. This Fall 2017, upcoming community workshops include: Indigenous Harm Reduction, Traditional Modalities of Healing and Recovery, Self- Care for Family Members, Greif & Loss, Healing Spiritual Sickness, and Taking Care of Our Loved Ones Using Substances. All circles will be hosted in community and feature Aboriginal knowledge keepers and Elders to facilitate the learning and circle practice - special guests include the First Nations Health Authority, People Living with HIV, and Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society.
Back to School Picnic
The annual Aboriginal Back to School Picnics were once again so much fun for community, volunteers and staff alike. This year SCCFS was pleased to welcome the Prince George Native Friendship Centre as a new delivery partner. Making an 11th stop on our Picnic tour.
Here in Victoria, we provided supplies and gifts to 1164 students from pre-school to post-secondary and a combined total of 3318 students province wide.
The Picnic team traveled nearly 5000 km in total and hosted events in: Victoria, Duncan, Campbell River, Courtenay, Port Alberni, and Nanaimo. The team took a day off before traveling to Surrey, Mission, Prince George, Terrace and Prince Rupert. 11 events in 14 days.
In each community, M’akola Housing staff and Friendship Centre staff came out to help us host their families and children and we are grateful for the chance to celebrate with our partners and the 11 communities.
We acknowledge the financial support of the province of BC, RBC Royal Eagles, Vanity, Rina M. Bidin Foundation, Monk Office, University of Victoria, Ridley Terminals Inc., MNP, Out of the Blue Designs and in-kind contributions from our friends at Government House.
Plans have already begun for next year’s event, Saturday August 11 2018.
Audited Financial Statements