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VACFSS

VACFSS

Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society

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News & Stories

Indigenous ceremony and cultural practices are foundational to all of our programs and the work we do at VACFSS. We are guided by Indigenous Elders, our Youth Advisory Committee, and a culture committee composed of Knowledge Keepers and representatives of different First Nations to ensure we remain committed to grounding our work in Indigenous cultural knowledge, traditions and practice.

Use the EVENTS filter below to view Indigenous events, ceremonies and trainings. Please review event eligibility and contact the organizers listed for additional information or to register. View our calendar of events.

FILTERS

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STATEMENT: VACFSS responds to BC Court of Appeal decision on BC Human Rights Tribunal case

News
May 9, 2025
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Family Preservation: A Counselor’s Perspective

News
February 6, 2025
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Honouring the Journey of our Youth

News
June 11, 2024
Read more
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28th Anniversary of April Bennett: Staff Spotlight

Cultural Connections
Restorative Practice
Staff spotlight
May 3, 2024
Read more
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Red Dress Day: A Brief History

Cultural Connections
News
May 3, 2024
Read more
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Annual ceder headband making workshop

Cultural Connections
News
Restorative Practice
April 23, 2024
Read more
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Staff Spotlight: Jackie, Child Safety Social Worker

Restorative Practice
Staff spotlight
March 14, 2024
Read more
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VACFSS advocates for Indigenous rights to self-government in child welfare

News
March 1, 2023
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How to use sage for healing

News
February 14, 2023
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Staff Spotlight: Leah Delorme, Family Preservation Counsellor

Staff spotlight
February 14, 2023
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Prioritizing “family finding” & “cultural connections” among YAC recommendations

Youth voices
February 14, 2023
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NOTICE OF PETITION: VACFSS pursues judicial review of the BC Human Rights Tribunal decision

News
January 24, 2023
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PRESS RELEASE: VACFSS responds to BC Human Rights Tribunal ruling

News
November 23, 2022
Read more
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Youth Voices: YAC Newsletter | Summer 2022

Youth voices
September 29, 2022
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PRESS RELEASE: Providing Respite Care for Indigenous Children and Youth

News
September 20, 2022
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Supportive Indigenous Brothers and Sisters (SIBS) Program

programs
August 8, 2022
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PRESS RELEASE: VACFSS and Atira deliver a therapeutic access program

News
August 3, 2022
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National Indigenous History Month 2022

News
June 3, 2022
Read more
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Youth Voices: YAC Newsletter | Spring 2022

Youth voices
May 25, 2022
Read more
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Staff Spotlight: Tiffany Britton, Collaborative Practice Facilitator

Staff spotlight
April 12, 2022
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Connection to Land as a Source of Resilience for Urban Indigenous Youth in Child Welfare

Cultural Connections
April 12, 2022
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Caregiver Voices: “We thought he needed us, but we need him”

Caregiver stories
April 12, 2022
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FREE Health Care Support for First Nations Peoples in Vancouver

News
January 31, 2022
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VACFSS Advocating for Reform of B.C.’s Police Act

News
November 27, 2021
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VACFSS Marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30

News
September 29, 2021
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Caregiver Voices: “We need community supports after a child leaves care”

Caregiver stories
September 17, 2021
Read more
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Restorative Practice: Prioritizing “Belonging” in Child Welfare

Restorative Practice
September 17, 2021
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Staff Spotlight: Leanne Dales, Lifelong Connections Coordinator

Staff spotlight
September 16, 2021
Read more
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Youth Voices: Extending moratoriums for youth aging into community

Youth voices
March 25, 2021
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Staff Spotlight: Mari Otomo, Quality Assurance Advisor

Staff spotlight
March 25, 2021
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Restorative Practice: Addressing Inequity and Racism

Restorative Practice
March 25, 2021
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Free Haircuts to Residents of the DTES

News
November 26, 2020
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Staff Spotlight: Woody Morrison, Family Support Elder

Staff spotlight
November 2, 2020
Read more
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Restoring the Roles of Indigenous Fathers in Our Communities

Cultural Connections
November 2, 2020
Read more
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Two-Spirit Caregiver Redefining the Meaning of Family through Foster Care

Caregiver stories
October 27, 2020
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Standing with Youth in Care

Youth voices
September 3, 2020
Read more
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Cultural Connections: Gathering the C.I.R.C.L.E.

Cultural Connections
July 13, 2020
Read more
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Youth Voices: Don’t be Afraid to Speak Out

Youth voices
July 13, 2020
Read more
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Staff Spotlight: Nicole Newton, Child Protection Social Worker

Staff spotlight
July 13, 2020
Read more
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YAC Message to the Community

Youth voices
March 24, 2020
Read more
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COVID-19 Preparedness

News
March 17, 2020
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Staff Spotlight: Jessica Knutson, Child & Youth Engagement Worker

Staff spotlight
March 11, 2020
Read more
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Nutsamaht – We are One. VACFSS participates in the Moose Hide Campaign.

Cultural Connections
March 10, 2020
Read more
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Caregiver Voices: “Something was missing, and I began to think where I could give back.”

Caregiver stories
March 10, 2020
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Youth Mentor Committee Program

programs
February 14, 2020
Read more
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Life Skills & Leadership Program

programs
February 14, 2020
Read more
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Family Preservation and Reunification

programs
February 14, 2020
Read more
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Staff Spotlight: Patricia Phillips

Staff spotlight
January 5, 2020
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Understanding VACFSS’ Indigenous Core Cultural Competencies

Cultural Connections
January 2, 2020
Read more
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Youth Advisory Committee Strategic Plan

Youth voices
December 28, 2019
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Inclusive Foster Care: A Closer Look

Restorative Practice
December 27, 2019
Read more
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Strengthening Our Relations: Restoring Family within Community

News
December 25, 2019
Read more
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Caregiver Voices: “I get the peace I didn’t have as a kid by providing it to these kids”

Caregiver stories
December 22, 2019
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Cultural Connections: Homecoming Reunification Ceremonies

Cultural Connections
December 18, 2019
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Youth Voices: My Culture Saved Me

Youth voices
December 16, 2019
Read more
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Child Safety Program

programs
December 13, 2019
Read more
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Resources Program

programs
December 13, 2019
Read more
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Guardianship Program

programs
December 12, 2019
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UBC Farm Program

programs
December 10, 2019
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Culturally Relevant Urban Wellness

programs
December 10, 2019
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Gathering the Circle

programs
December 10, 2019
Read more
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Sage Picking

programs
December 10, 2019
Read more
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Elder Guidance

programs
December 10, 2019
Read more
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Caregiver Cultural Camp

programs
December 10, 2019
Read more
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Honouring Our Sacred Bundles

programs
December 10, 2019
Read more
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Honouring the Journey of Our Youth

programs
December 10, 2019
Read more
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Homecoming Ceremony

programs
December 10, 2019
Read more
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Touching The Land of Our Relations

programs
December 10, 2019
Read more
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Staff Cultural Camp

Cultural Connections
May 22, 2019
Read more
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Message from Jennifer Charlesworth, Representative for Children and Youth

News
May 22, 2019
Read more
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Staff Spotlight: Gavin O’Toole, Resources Manager

Staff spotlight
May 21, 2019
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MCFD Protocol Agreement

News
December 18, 2018
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Employee Engagement Committee

Cultural Connections
December 18, 2018
Read more
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Staff Spotlight: Orene Johnston

Staff spotlight
December 17, 2018
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Staff Spotlight: April Bennett, Cultural Coordinator, Elder

Staff spotlight
June 28, 2016
Read more
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