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 W̱SÁNEĆ, 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

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Children/Youth in Care by Nation Total

5

5

2

Children/Youth Entering and Leaving Agency Care

Aged Out

Transferred to AnotherAgency

Transferred to SCCFS

Number of

Children/Youth Who

Were Supported to

Visit Their

Traditional

Territories:

24

Number of Youth

Who Graduated

From High School:

2

Number of

Children/Youth

Placed With

Relatives:

12

Number of

Indigenous Foster

Families at SCCFS:

14

Number of New

Foster Homes

Opened by SCCFS:

4

Number of New

Foster Parent

Applications

Received:

10

3

2

2

1

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

November February March April

2016 2017

Resources: Files Transfers to SCCFS/Openings

Total

13

1

5

Resources:File Transfers and Closures

Closed

Closed - No CaseMade

Transferred toanother office

41

21

Resources:Current Caseload

Primary

Primary -Pending

Secondary

- 14 of our files are Aboriginal Foster Homes

- 5 of our files are Extended Family (Restricted) Care homes that care for 12 of our Children and Youth

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

Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw Nation) joined us one afternoon to share songs, stories and fun with us. Seneca

Ambers (Tlowit’sis-Maʼa̱mtagila from the Kwakwa̱ka ̱ʼwakw 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