Resources & Links

Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society is proud to walk alongside many Indigenous-led organizations working to support the health, culture, education, and self-determination of Indigenous peoples. Below is a curated list of trusted external resources — organized by topic and updated directly by each organization to ensure accuracy and current service offerings.

National Indigenous Organizations (Canada-Wide)

Assembly of First Nations (AFN)
National advocacy organization representing First Nations citizens across Canada.
afn.ca

Métis National Council (MNC)
Represents Métis people at the national and international level.
metisnation.ca

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK)
National voice protecting and advancing the rights of Inuit in Canada.
itk.ca

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP)
Represents off-reserve Indigenous peoples, including Métis, Inuit, and non-status First Nations.
abo-peoples.org

Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC)
Promotes the rights of Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals.
nwac.ca

Health & Wellness

First Nations Health Authority (FNHA – BC)
Culturally grounded health programs and services for First Nations in BC.
fnha.ca

Indigenous Services Canada – Mental Health & Wellness
Government resources focused on suicide prevention, trauma-informed healing, and wellness services.
sac-isc.gc.ca

Hope for Wellness Help Line (Canada-Wide)
24/7 mental health support by phone or online chat for all Indigenous peoples.
hopeforwellness.ca

KUU-US Crisis Line (BC)
24/7 culturally safe crisis support for Indigenous adults, Elders, and youth in BC.
kuu-uscrisisline.com

Métis Nation BC – Métis Crisis Line
24/7 support line for Métis individuals and families.
mnbc.ca

National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH)
Health resources and knowledge sharing to support Indigenous-led wellness.
nccih.ca

Here to Help – Aboriginal Mental Health (BC)
Culturally informed resources about mental health and substance use.
heretohelp.bc.ca

Education & Training

First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC – BC)
Supports quality education for First Nations learners in BC.
fnesc.ca

First Nations Schools Association (FNSA – BC)
Provides direct support to Indigenous-led schools across BC.
fnsa.ca

Indspire (Canada-Wide)
Scholarships, bursaries, and Indigenous youth success programs.
indspire.ca

EducationPlannerBC – Indigenous Student Hub
Post-secondary planning tool tailored for Indigenous students in BC.
educationplannerbc.ca

BCAAFC – Education Supports
Friendship Centre-based education and career development services.
bcaafc.com/education

Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP)
Federal tuition and living support for eligible First Nations students.
sac-isc.gc.ca

New Relationship Trust – K–12 Grant (BC)
Funding for Indigenous youth programming, culture, and learning.
newrelationshiptrust.ca

Wapikoni Mobile (Canada-Wide)
Creative and media mentorship for Indigenous youth.
wapikoni.ca

Housing

Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA – BC)
Supports 50+ Indigenous housing providers across the province.
ahma-bc.org

Lu’ma Native Housing Society (BC)
Urban housing, youth supports, and health access.
lnhs.ca

Habitat for Humanity Canada – Indigenous Housing Partnership
Builds and renovates homes in partnership with Indigenous communities.
habitat.ca

Employment & Economic Development

Métis Nation BC – STEPS Program
Skills, employment, and post-secondary support for Métis citizens.
mnbc.ca

WorkBC – Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET)
Employment and training resources for Indigenous people in BC.
workbc.ca

Cultural & Community Programs

BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC)
Supports 25+ Friendship Centres offering wraparound services.
bcaafc.com

First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC)
Grants, training, and tools for language revitalization and cultural preservation.
fpcc.ca

Legal & Advocacy

BC First Nations Justice Council – Indigenous Justice Centres
Free legal aid and culturally grounded supports.
bcfnjc.com

Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC (NCCABC)
Court support, advocacy, and wellness for Indigenous people involved in the justice system.
nccabc.ca

Rise Women’s Legal Centre – Indigenous Family Advocate Line
Legal support for Indigenous women navigating child welfare and family law.
womenslegalcentre.ca

Residential School Healing

Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS)
Crisis support, counselling, and cultural healing services.
irsss.ca

National Indian Residential School Crisis Line
24/7 support for Residential School survivors and families.
Phone: 1-866-925-4419

FNHA – Residential Schools Healing Supports
Health and wellness services for those affected by residential schools.
fnha.ca – Residential Schools

ISC – Resolution Health Support Program
Federal trauma-informed supports for survivors and their families.
sac-isc.gc.ca

Local Indigenous Organizations in Kelowna

Métis Community Services Society of BC (MCSBC)
MCSBC is a non-profit society recognized and empowered by Métis citizens in BC to provide holistic services ensuring the health and well-being of the Métis community. They offer a variety of programs and services across three locations in Kelowna, including early childhood development, family support, mental health counseling, and cultural events.
mcsbc.org

Okanagan Training and Development Council (OTDC)
OTDC promotes self-sufficiency for Indigenous people by connecting labor market and community needs through the provision of employment, training programs, and services. They offer various programs, including youth/student development, disability programs, job development wage subsidies, and workplace training.
otdc.org