National Day for Truth & Reconciliation falls on September 30th, 2025. This day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Canada.ca)
At Westcoast, our work goes beyond recognizing Indigenous culture, families and their history on this vital day. Prior to National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, we will be sharing some of the 94 Calls to Action that Westcoast staff have adhered to within our practice to support Indigenous families and advance active and ongoing reconciliation. We hope that these messages inspire neighbouring agencies to follow suit, or to simply strike a conversation amongst staff to find further ways to Indigenize their practice.
Call to Action under Child Welfare 1(ii)
In alignment with the federal government’s Call to Action under Child Welfare 1(ii)—which calls on all levels of government to provide adequate resources that enable Aboriginal communities and child-welfare organizations to keep families together in safe and culturally appropriate environments—Westcoast Family Centres affirms its unwavering commitment to this vital work.
We provide Indigenous-focused, intensive support services to both urban and on-reserve families. Our approach is guided by an Indigenous lens that honours traditional knowledge, cultural values, and community-led practices. This framework allows us to support families in ways that are not only safe but deeply meaningful and culturally affirming.
The spaces we create for this work are intentionally attuned to Coast Salish and Metis ways of being, fostering a sense of calm, belonging, and safety—especially within systems that can often feel intimidating or uncertain. By centering Indigenous worldviews and relational approaches, we help strengthen family bonds and uphold the dignity and identity of Indigenous children and caregivers, wherever they reside.
Westcoast Family Centres remains deeply committed to reconciliation, cultural preservation, and the well-being of Indigenous families through respectful, trauma-informed, and community-driven practices.
Call to Action – Education #7
Westcoast Family Centres is committed to reconciliation through education and culturally attuned practices. In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #7, we have taken the following steps:
· Indigenous Recruitment & Retention Policy
· Developed and implemented a comprehensive, culturally grounded policy
· Actively recruit from Indigenous-specific institutions
· Hire individuals with formal education and lived experience
· Professional Development for Indigenous Peoples
· Support Indigenous staff through mentorship, training, and leadership pathways
· Use culturally informed performance reviews to support growth
· Culturally Safe Onboarding & Orientation
· New staff meet with Aaron Rivard, our Cultural Coordinator.
· Orientation includes education on history, Indigenous rights, and relational practice.
· Decolonizing Practice
· Redesigned consent processes to reduce barriers (e.g., fewer signatures, witness-only)
· Recognize traditional names and practices in internal systems and reporting
· Make intentional, values-based decisions to challenge colonial norms
· Strength-Based Approach
· View families as experts in their own lives
· Honour and uplift the unique gifts each individual brings.
· Promote inclusive participation and cultural safety in all programs
· Community Partnerships
· Collaborate with Indigenous organizations (e.g., VACFSS, MCFD, Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society)
· Share an Elders roster to support culturally safe service delivery
Westcoast Family Centres stands firmly in its commitment to reconciliation, embracing Indigenous ways of being and doing in all aspects of our work.
Call to Action – Professional Development #7
Westcoast Family Centres is deeply committed to advancing reconciliation through education, relationship-building, and culturally safe practices. In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #57, we have taken meaningful steps to ensure our staff are informed, accountable, and respectful in their work with Indigenous communities.
Education and Legislative Alignment
Many of our staff are well-versed in British Columbia’s legislation adopting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). We go beyond compliance by ensuring staff understand the legislation, uphold it in practice, and advocate for clients when rights are at risk.
Culturally Grounded Onboarding
All new staff participate in a revised orientation process that includes meeting with our Indigenous Cultural Advisor, Aaron Rivard, during the on-boarding process. This fosters early relationship-building and cultural understanding, setting the tone for respectful and informed service delivery.
Indigenous Recruitment and Retention
We have developed and implemented a comprehensive Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Policy to ensure we are living into our commitment to reconciliation.
This includes:
· Actively recruiting from Indigenous-specific institutions
· Hiring individuals with formal education and lived experience
· Conducting culturally informed performance reviews
· Using tools like our “ISC Domain Questionnaire” to assess staff knowledge and experience with Indigenous communities
Mandatory Training and Relationship Building
We are sourcing and developing training modules focused on colonization, cultural safety, and reconciliation. Staff are supported in building relationships with local Indigenous Elders, communities, and organizations. Notably, we share a joint Elders roster with partners such as VACFSS, MCFD, and Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society.
This statement reflects our ongoing commitment to reconciliation, cultural safety, and respectful engagement with Indigenous peoples. We continue to listen, learn, and evolve in partnership with the communities we serve.
Call to Action – Sport and Physical Activity #90–91 & Call to Action – Business Reconciliation – #92 (i, ii, 2.iii)
Westcoast Family Centres recognizes and affirms the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, particularly those directed toward the corporate sector and the promotion of inclusive physical activity and sport. Our organization is committed to advancing reconciliation through meaningful, sustained action.
In alignment with British Columbia’s legislation, Westcoast Family Centres has formally adopted the principles of UNDRIP as a foundational framework for our organizational policies and practices. Our staff are well-versed in the legislation and actively uphold the rights of Indigenous clients and families, ensuring that our services reflect respect, dignity, and cultural safety.
Westcoast Family Centres has implemented a new Indigenous Recruitment Policy that prioritizes equitable access to employment and professional development. We are proud to work alongside Indigenous peoples by hiring individuals with both formal education and lived experience. This approach not only strengthens our team but also ensures that our services are informed by Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems.
In response to Calls to Action #90 and #91, Westcoast Family Centres supports culturally inclusive physical activity through our Building Blocks program, which provides families with access to sports and recreational opportunities that promote holistic health and well-being.
We also collaborate with community-based initiatives such as:
· Jumpstart (Canadian Tire) – supporting children’s access to organized sports regardless of financial barriers.
· Kids Up Front – enabling children, youth, and families to attend sporting and cultural events that might otherwise be inaccessible due to cost.
These partnerships reflect our commitment to reducing barriers and fostering inclusive, culturally relevant opportunities for physical activity and community engagement.
Call to Action – Child Welfare #5
In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #5, Westcoast Family Centres has taken proactive steps to support Indigenous families through culturally safe and relevant parenting programs.
While this Call to Action is directed at government, Westcoast has stepped into this space with purpose and care by developing culturally attuned parenting supports that reflect Indigenous values, languages, and practices
· Programs & Supports Offered
· Indigenous Children’s Groups – culturally grounded programming for children
· Indigenous Connection Family Dinners – fostering community and cultural connection
· Indigenous Counsellors – providing support rooted in cultural knowledge and lived experience in addition to formal education.
· Funding & Community Engagement
· We actively seek Indigenous-specific funding to expand services.
· Our programs are designed in response to the high number of Indigenous referrals and families we serve.
· Decolonizing Practice
· We embrace traditional ways of being and doing in our work and seek out
ways to change formal processes to reflect this.
· Our systems recognize traditional names and practices and our staff work hard to correctly use proper traditional names.
· Consent processes have been redesigned to reduce barriers—requiring only a witness, not multiple signatures
Westcoast Family Centres is committed to creating safe, inclusive spaces where Indigenous families are supported through culturally respectful and empowering approaches to parenting.
This spring, our Help Kids Play campaign at Westcoast Family Centres received numerous donations from the community for activities and experiences for WFC families. We are so excited to begin distributing these experiences to the families that we work with.
Thank you to the following organizations for their donations of admission passes and summer camp vouchers to our organization this summer:
- PNE Fair
- Playland at the PNE
- Pedalheads
- Royal Soccer Club
- The Adventure Zone
- Vancouver Art Gallery
Your generous support has provided numerous opportunities for play this summer – we sincerely thank you!
Looking to help our families in need? Get involved with Help Kids Play today by making a cash donation at: Donate – Westcoast Family Centres – Westcoast Family Centres, selecting ‘Help Kids Play’ as your fund of choice.
We also welcome donations of summer opportunities, camps and gift vouchers for WFC families. Please reach out to development@westcoastfamily.org to coordinate a donation.
Last summer, our Help Kids Play campaign impacted a family at Westcoast Family Centres in a positive and lasting way, providing them with exciting opportunities to spend time outdoors.
Thanks to the generosity of Pedalheads, an organization that offers fun, adventure-filled swim, bike, trail riding and soccer programs for kids across North America, a family at Westcoast was given a donation of two vouchers for swim programs and camps of their choice in any Pedalheads program in BC.
Pedalheads offers free camps for kids in underserved communities thanks to their Pedalheads+ program. As understood by many WFC families, endless circumstances can affect families and the opportunities they can provide for their children, despite parents wanting their children to participate in recreational activities.
Particularly, summer camps and outdoor opportunities may not operate in some neighbourhoods throughout BC, and often many of these camps or activities are out of the price point for vulnerable families.
Thanks to Pedalheads and their programs, Westcoast children were able to develop skills that will not only be carried with them throughout summer but will also follow them throughout life.
The next time this family visited a beach or pool – their little ones were ready to ride some waves, and to face any circumstance that came their way!
Looking to gift new skills like swim lessons to families in need? Get involved with Help Kids Play today by making a cash donation at: Donate – Westcoast Family Centres – Westcoast Family Centres, selecting ‘Help Kids Play’ as your fund of choice.
We also welcome donations of summer opportunities, camps and gift vouchers for WFC families. Please reach out to development@westcoastfamily.org to coordinate a donation.
In 2024, Westcoast Family Centres celebrated its 40th Anniversary as an agency. This event brought together staff and collaborators to commemorate the past 40 years of accomplishments, set the stage for future initiatives, and honour staff who have gone above and beyond for the organization.
To host and uplift the event, Westcoast brought Jaylene Tyme to the stage who gave us an incredible and memorable performance, as well as an afternoon filled with laughter, tears, and so much joy.
Jaylene is a Métis, two-spirited drag queen who is a survivor of the Sixties Scoop. She recently participated in Season 5 of Canada’s Drag Race, where she was awarded Miss Congeniality!
We were so lucky to have had Jaylene perform at our 40th AGM. Her presence has inspired so many of our staff and she has done amazing work to represent Indigenous communities across Canada through her performances, online presence and activism.
You can visit Jaylene’s Instagram page at: https://www.instagram.com/jaylenetyme/?hl=en
#Westcoast #Indigenous #TwoSpirited #JayleneTyme #Vancouver #Performance #AGM #NonProfit #SocialWork
In 2024, Westcoast counsellors and support workers nominated 151 families to receive a hamper full of gifts, food, clothing and gift cards during the holiday season.
Holiday Hampers provide essentials to vulnerable families in our community, and help ease some of the anxieties that the holiday season places on them.
With our most recent season being one of the highest years on record for nominations, we invite the community to read our Impact Story below on our most recent and most successful season of Holiday Hampers. We sincerely thank our community and our partners for the positive impact they’ve had on families here at WFC.
Read our Impact Story below to learn more!
