The Institute preserves and promotes the languages of the Yinka Déné First Nations of northern BC. The activities of the Institute include publishing material in these languages, training researchers and teachers, and archiving documents on Yinka Déné languages, culture, and history.
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Secwepemc Cultural Education Society (SCES)
SCES is governed by a board of directors representing the Secwepemc communities. The Society’s mandate is to establish a centre that will collect and preserve Secwepemc historical, cultural, educational, and legal materials. Several departments have been created to fulfill this mandate, including Education, Language, and Communications.
Ktunaxa Nation
The Council represents the Ktunaxa people, who have occupied their homelands in the Kootenay region for more than 10,000 years. The Council’s vision is of healthy citizens, speaking their languages, managing their lands and resources, within a self-governing Nation. To achieve this vision, the Council is active in treaty negotiation, language renewal, economic development, and the delivery of social programs.
First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation
The mission of the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation is to inspire and empower BC First Nations to revitalize their languages, arts and cultures. Human and financial resources are urgently needed as we race against time to avoid the extinction of precious Indigenous heritage.
Métis Nation Columbia River Society
The Métis Nation Columbia River Society’s mission is to share, lift up, and support Metis Culture in the Columbia Valley, Golden and Area A, BC.
Kelowna Métis Association
Kelowna Metis Association serves the Central Okanagan. The Association promotes awareness and sharing of Métis culture, as well as economic and educational opportunities.
Métis Community Services Society of BC
Métis Community Services Society of BC provides family-centered services to all those who need them, with special emphasis on the Métis population. Among the services offered are family counselling, an infant development program, and activities for youth. The Society has offices in Kelowna and Vernon.
Vernon Native Housing Society
Vernon Native Housing Society offers a variety of low-cost housing options for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal residents of the Vernon area. These options include single family homes, townhouses, and apartments. The Society also has three BC Housing portable rent subsidies, which allows families flexibility in where they choose to live.
Okanagan Métis & Aboriginal Housing Society
The Okanagan Métis & Aboriginal Housing Society provides affordable rental housing to people of Native ancestry. Historically the Society has focused on families with dependent children. However, the Society recognizes the growing need for single adult and seniors housing, and it plans to address that need when developing new inventory.
Quesnel Tillicum Society Native Friendship Centre
The purpose of the Centre is to meet the needs of First Nations people living in Quesnel, and to help other residents facing social and economic challenges. The Centre offers a wide variety of services and programs, including addiction treatment, employment counselling, family support, and legal assistance.
