LibGuides: Indigenous Hub: Indigenous Organizations

Overview

Indigenous organizations are vital to the advancement, well-being, and empowerment of Indigenous peoples. They're more than just advocates; they actively cultivate essential spaces for meaningful engagement and dialogue, ensuring that Indigenous voices are not just heard, but are central to decisions that directly affect their communities.

Beyond their crucial role in advocacy, these organizations and political bodies are also prolific producers of knowledge and resources. They develop valuable tool kits, craft insightful reports, and conduct impactful research that informs policy, shares best practices, and deepens understanding of Indigenous issues.

Ultimately, their work extends far beyond simply championing rights. Indigenous organizations are fundamentally involved in rebuilding nations, diligently working to preserve and revitalize unique cultures, actively fostering well-being within their communities, and leading the charge towards a more just and sustainable future for everyone

Indigenous Organizations

Local

Victoria Native Friendship Centre
The VNFC is a non-profit Indigenous-led organization located on Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen speaking People of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. The Centre comprises over 140 compassionate staff members, building and delivering over 75 programs working to further innovative solutions to improve socio economic conditions for urban Indigenous peoples.
The Métis Nation of Greater Victoria (MNGV)
The Métis Nation of Greater Victoria (MNGV) was established in 1990 and is the local organization representing Métis People in BC’s Capital Regional District.

British Columbia

BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
Friendship Centres are not-for-profit, Indigenous-led, social service organizations that work to promote, develop, and deliver accessible programs and services that support Indigenous peoples living in urban areas and away from home
First Peoples' Cultural Council
The First Peoples' Cultural Council is a First Nations-run Crown Corporation with a mandate to support the revitalization of Aboriginal language, arts and culture in British Columbia. The FPCC provides funding and resources to communities, monitor the status of First Nations languages and develop policy recommendations for First Nations leadership and government.

National

Native Women’s Association of Canada
National Indigenous Organization representing the political voice of Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender and gender-diverse people in Canada, inclusive of First Nations on and off reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised, Métis and Inuit.
National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC)
The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) was established in 1972 to represent, nationally, the growing number of Friendship Centres emerging across Canada. The NAFC represents over 100 Friendship Centres and Provincial/Territorial Associations (PTAs) from coast-to-coast-to-coast which make up the Friendship Centre Movement (FCM)
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples represents the interests of Métis, status and Non-status Indians, and Southern Inuit Indigenous People living off-reserve in Canada.

Indigenous Political Organizations

British Columbia

First Nations Summitt
The First Nations Summit is a forum for First Nations in British Columbia to address issues related to treaty negotiations and other matters of common concern. It is comprised of many First Nations and Tribal Councils in BC
Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC)
The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is a political organization founded in 1969 to advocate for the recognition, implementation, and exercise of Indigenous Title, Rights, and Treaty Rights
British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BC AFN)
The British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) is an organization representing the interests of First Nations in British Columbia. They focus on advocating for and implementing Aboriginal Title, Rights, and Treaty Rights through the exercise of inherent laws and jurisdiction
Métis Nation British Columbia
As the Métis government in British Columbia, they represent Métis citizens and promote the rights, recognition, priorities and interests of all Métis in BC.

National

Indigenous professional organizations

Indigenous Bar Association
Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association
Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada
Indigenous Literary Studies Association (ILSA)
ILSA helps bring established and new scholars and writers together, to provide resources for teaching, studying, research, conferences, and publishing in a diverse range of Indigenous literary activities.