Browse Categories: Indigenous Services

Indigenous-led drop-in centre in the Downtown Eastside offering meals through its Food Truck Program, secure bin storage for belongings, and cultural programs. Open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members, with referrals to housing and other supports. An Emergency Warming Shelter opens during extreme weather.

24/7 national crisis line for anyone affected by their experience at an Indian Residential School, including Survivors, families, and intergenerational survivors. Trained responders offer emotional support and can connect callers to other health and cultural supports. Free and confidential. Call 1-866-925-4419 any time, day or night. The same line connects Survivors and families to free ongoing support through the Resolution Health Support Program, including counselling, traditional healing with Elders and help getting to appointments (in BC coordinated by the First Nations Health Authority).

Indigenous-led health and social services organization in the Downtown Eastside, formerly known as Vancouver Native Health Society. Runs a primary care clinic, a low-barrier dental clinic, and cultural and family programs for urban Indigenous people and other Downtown Eastside residents. The primary care clinic was not accepting new patients as of October 2026, call first to check current availability. Services are free for eligible BC Medical Services Plan clients, call the main office or the specific program to find out how to access it.

Free legal support for Indigenous people dealing with criminal or child protection matters, even if they do not qualify for legal aid. Services include access to lawyers, help understanding court processes, support with interactions involving the Ministry of Children and Family Development, and assistance preparing Gladue reports. The centre also provides outreach, advocacy, and referrals to housing, health, and community supports, taking a holistic approach to helping people navigate the justice system.

Free legal help by phone for Indigenous people across BC, with a focus on people in rural and remote communities, dealing with a criminal or child protection court matter. A navigator answers calls and books a time to speak with a lawyer, even for people who do not qualify for legal aid. Also helps connect people to housing, health, and other community supports related to their case. Call 1-866-786-0081, Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm (some after-hours and weekend appointments may be available).

Counselling, referrals, and advocacy for Indian Residential School Survivors, their families, and communities across BC, run by the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. Staff connect survivors with FNHA-approved counsellors at no cost, and also run public education and a resource library on the effects of residential schools. In-person appointments are offered at Vancouver, West Vancouver, Prince George, and Kamloops offices, but must be booked ahead. Walk-ins are not guaranteed.

Low-barrier emergency shelter for up to 55 men age 19 and over, including transgender men. Doors open at 3pm on a first-come, first-served basis, with an 11pm curfew. A hot dinner is served around 6:15pm and a sandwich or snack in the morning, plus hygiene supplies and small storage (up to 50 lbs, no carts or bikes). No violence, alcohol or drugs. Wheelchair accessible, and pets in kennels may be allowed case by case.

Helpline for Indigenous people in BC who have experienced racism or discrimination in health care. Callers can share what happened, get help understanding and filing a complaint, and get support accessing their health records. Free and confidential. Call 1-888-600-3078 or email addressing_racism@gov.bc.ca.

Free legal clinic for people who self-identify as Indigenous and meet income and asset limits, run by UBC Allard School of Law in the Downtown Eastside. Law student clinicians, supervised by lawyers, take on criminal, family, human rights, small claims, and wills and estates cases, Indian Status applications, and limited help with some divorces. Call, email, or fax to arrange an intake appointment. New intakes are not taken on Thursdays.

Indigenous-run nonprofit in Metro Vancouver offering culturally based alternatives to the mainstream criminal justice system, along with housing help and referrals to other community services. The Justice Program supports both people in conflict with the law and victims, aiming for healing and accountability. The Housing Program helps people find and keep housing. Call to connect with a program.

Indigenous-led organization in Vancouver supporting women and children fleeing domestic violence, and other individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Runs the Spirit Lodge Transition House (emergency shelter, up to 30 days) and Spirit Way Transition House (transitional housing up to 18 months), plus street outreach and help finding permanent housing through Journey Home. Call 604-874-6629, Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, to ask about space or a program.

Financial and wellness support for Métis Elders and seniors across BC, run by Métis Nation BC. The Métis Elders and Seniors Assistance Program (MESAP) helps lower-income Métis citizens 65+ pay for health costs not covered by MSP, such as hearing aids, dentures, glasses, and mobility aids. It pays up to $3,000 (single) or $4,500 (with a spouse), one time only, and applicants must be registered MNBC citizens. MESAP currently has a waitlist. Call 1-800-940-1150 or 604-557-5851 ext. 2082, or email elders@mnbc.ca.

Indigenous case worker based at the Downtown Community Court in Vancouver, for Indigenous people going through the court as the accused. Helps clients understand their rights, obligations, and the court process, accompanies them in court, and advises court staff and judges on cultural considerations. Contact through the court or call directly.

Support for Indigenous people going through the BC criminal justice system: help understanding court processes, connections to legal resources, and addiction, mental health, and family or victim support. Courtworkers meet clients at court and in the community across BC rather than at one office. Free. Call 604-985-5355 to ask about a courtworker or counselling support in your area.

Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC office inside the Vancouver Main Street Courthouse, supporting Indigenous people accused in criminal court. Offers court accompaniment, interpretation, referrals to legal and community services, information about rights and the court process, and counselling and referrals for Indigenous victims of crime. Also runs youth diversion support. Open Monday to Friday, 8:30am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-4:30pm. Jointly funded by the Ministry of Attorney General and the federal Department of Justice.

Provides weekly drop-in gatherings for men, offering a free meal alongside peer support, community connection, and access to health services. DUDES Club focuses on improving men’s physical and mental well-being in a culturally safe, community-driven environment, with a strong emphasis on Indigenous men’s wellness. Meetings take place Thursdays at 4pm at 626 Powell Street (Kilala Lelum Health Centre).

Membership organization for Métis people across BC, with an office in Vancouver. Offers career and employment services (resumes, job matching, training), the Michif Language Project to preserve the Michif dialect, and an Emergency Assistance Program with financial help toward wildfire evacuation or health-related costs. Most programs require BC Métis Federation membership. Call 604-638-7220 to join or ask about a program.

First-stage transition house for Indigenous women, with or without children, fleeing domestic violence or at risk of abuse. Provides a safe place to stay for up to 30 days, meals, clothing, counselling referrals, and help with housing applications and safety planning. Residents must be substance-free for 96 hours before admission, though people on documented substitution therapy may be accepted. No ID required and no cost. Wheelchair accessible. Call the 24/7 intake line to ask about space.

Pacific Association of First Nations Women supports Indigenous women in BC through advocacy, cultural programs, and leadership and health initiatives. Programs address housing, health, and other issues affecting Indigenous women and their families, and include membership-based workshops and community events across the Lower Mainland. Call 604-872-1849 or visit the website to ask about current programs and membership.

Safe way for First Nations and Indigenous people in BC to give feedback or make a complaint about harm or problems in health care, including FNHA-run services, external providers such as hospitals, and FNHA-funded community health centres and PharmaCare. Staff help explain options, including culturally grounded ways to address harm, and help navigate the Health Authority Patient Care Quality process. Feedback can stay anonymous. Free. Call 1-844-935-1044 or email Quality@fnha.ca.

Partial funding toward travel costs for Indigenous, First Nations, and Métis Elders attending the Annual BC Elders Gathering, administered by the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres. Funding amounts and the application window change year to year. Contact BCAAFC at 250-388-5522, or ask a local Friendship Centre, to find out what is available for the current year.

Crisis line and ongoing support for women experiencing intimate partner violence, childhood sexual abuse, or sexual assault, including trans, immigrant, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQI+ survivors. Workers offer safety planning and counselling, help navigating police, courts, housing, and financial systems, and can report an assault to police on a survivor’s behalf so they stay anonymous. A separate Justice Centre program offers free legal representation and clinics. Free and confidential, in many languages. Call the crisis and intake line Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm; leave a voicemail or email intake@bwss.org after hours or if it is not safe to talk.

Provincial office that records and issues certificates for births, deaths, marriages, adoptions, and divorces in BC, and provides change of name and gender marker changes on birth certificates. Order certificates online, by mail, or in person at the Burnaby office. Fees apply for most certificates. Residential school survivors, their families, and those affected by the Sixties Scoop can reclaim an Indigenous name at no cost, including with Indigenous language characters.