Guiding Our Spirits Home Gala: FRAFCA's 7th Annual Fundraiser

The Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association (FRAFCA) is British Columbia’s newest Friendship Center, receiving our designation on November 12, 2012. We are located on the shared, unceded traditional territory of the Fraser Salish People including the Kwantlen, Katzie, QayQayt, Semiahmoo, and Tsawwassen. We lift our hands & hearts in gratitude to our hosts appreciate the support the Nations’ provide in the design and delivery of the services we offer to the Indigenous people in Surrey.

Joining the Friendship center movement in 2012 was another step in a very long journey that started in 1996, with the first iteration as the Surrey Aboriginal Cultural Society (SACS); and then again transforming to Kla-How-eya Aboriginal Centre of SACS and then finally just Klahoweya. Each iteration has laid the foundation for the center we are today. Over the last 21 years’ we have assisted countless urban First Nations’, Metis and Inuit people to have a “home away from home; from generation to generation, we continue to support the community and promote the vision of strong, healthy, successful Indigenous people.

In becoming a Friendship Center, we joined a large network of sister agencies that collectively work to improve the lives of Indigenous people in our local community, provincially and nationally. The Friendship Center movement is Canada’s most significant off-reserve Indigenous service delivery infrastructure ; and collectively are the primary providers of culturally enhanced programs and services to urban Indigenous residents. For over half-a-century, Friendship Centre’s have been facilitating the transition of Indigenous people from rural, remote and reserve life to an urban environment

As an organization, we are often a first point of contact for Indigenous people seeking services and supports. To this end, we are working to build a continuum of care for people from birth to death and welcome feedback and guidance from our members on new programs and new roads we should take. Moreover, we work in a culturally relevant and safe way, honoring the diverse lived experiences of Indigenous people who come from nations across Turtle Island. Our approach and philosophy is to bridge the best of both Western and Traditional knowledge to provide a place of support, healing, and advocacy. We also celebrate Indigenous Identity and worldview - which is often lacking in mainstream services and work very hard to ensure that our community is treated in a fair and respectful way.

We hope you will come by and check out our many programs, view our facilities, or simply connect with our staff over a cup of coffee.