The VACPC and the VPD will be pursuing numerous initiatives over the course of 2012 to 2016 that demonstrate improved communication and collaboration, together and with other Aboriginal community partners.

As a liaison agency between the Aboriginal community and the VPD, VACPC continues to advocate for the increase of VPD resources for the Aboriginal community. Currently, there is only one Aboriginal Liaison officer for an Aboriginal urban population of more than 14,000. As the population grows, so do the number of tragedies that take place in our community. The VACPCS will continue to voice the concerns of the community and seek solutions in partnership with the VPD.

We collaborate with the VPD and others through all VACPC Programs:

1)     VSS – VICTIM SUPPORT SERVICES  - Responding to Community Crime Complaints

• Responding to community safety complaints made to our office, our staff or through outreach
• Offering counselling, support and referrals to victims of crime
• Collaboration with the VPD/ Sgt. Cox as required to address safety concerns and issues
• Missing Persons Reports and Predator alerts shared regularly with 100s of  Aboriginal/ community agencies through our contact networks
• Gathering front-line information regarding community safety issues and relaying this to the VPD and our Community partners appropriately

2)     SW – SISTER WATCH TABLE and SISTER WATCH PROGRAM

• Hosting/ Contributing to the Sister Watch planning/ strategy discussions with the VPD and other community partners
• Assist in developing/ providing collaborative strategies to address safety issues for Aboriginal youth and women
• Partnering with the Aboriginal Front Door Society (AFD) and the VPD to deliver a weekly Sister Watch Program.
• Outreach to vulnerable and at-risk Aboriginal women and youth through AFD’s and VACPC’s offices.
• Women involved in the survival sex-trade will have access to support to address safety concerns
• Activities include community outreach, counselling, referrals for treatment, cultural interventions, exiting strategies personal support etc.

3)  COU – CIRCLES OF UNDERSTANDING PROGRAM – Cultural Awareness Training/ Public Education

• Offers free Cultural Awareness Training to VPD members, JIBC Police Recruits, educators, community advocates, professionals, corrections employees, City of Vancouver staff, Vancouver Police Board members, the general public, students etc.
• Public displays of 10 full-size educational panels that depict the on-going impacts of the Residential School program on Aboriginal people
• Distribution of 5,000 education pamphlets, + public education/ awareness through www.CirclesOfUnderstanding.org website etc.
• On-going youth/ Elder mentorship and public engagement activities to promote community healing and recovery

4)     CLAY – CULTURAL LEADERSHIP for ABORIGINAL YOUTH PROJECT

• Culturally-based life-skills program that reaches out to at-risk Aboriginal youth in the DTES and East Vancouver
• Offers cultural, educational and recreation activities as alternatives to anti-social behaviours
• Fosters stronger personal identities, resilience, capability, better decision-making, and personal accountability
• Uses a ‘crime prevention through social development’ approach to engage youth in community volunteering
• VPD members are invited to participate to build relationships and to increase cross-cultural awareness
• Connects youth with healthy Elders, role-models and other community supports.

5)     NA’TSA’MAT !!NEW!!

• 15 month healing project providing direct assistance and support to both adult and youth family members of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Vancouver.
• Provides culturally relevent healing opportunities to address the unique needs that family members have, specifically the children of the missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
• Assist family members in moving forward through weekly sharing circles and cultural programming.

6)     CVO – COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING AND OUTREACH PROGRAM

• Combining safety walks with life-skills, self-awareness and crime-prevention training
• Offered in partnership with Sgt. Cox, Aboriginal Elders, other VPD members and community agencies
• Recruit volunteers from our new neighbourhood for community volunteering activities.

7)     CCA – COMMUNITY COURAGE AWARD

• Elders and youth who make significant contributions to crime-prevention, bridge-building with the VPD and Aboriginal justice issues are honoured in this high-profile community event
• Brings together numerous city/ VPD officials with Aboriginal community leaders, Elders and youth which strengthens bonds and fosters more collaboration between the VPD/ Vancouver Police Board and Aboriginal community members and agencies
• This volunteer-driven event highlights the importance of and history behind VACPCs mandate.
• Process will be developed to also honour VPD members who the community nominates as VPD role-models

8)     CBG – COMMUNITY BRIDGING GATHERINGS

• A Public event that specifically brings Aboriginal youth, Elders, families and other agencies together with VPD members to foster stronger bonds and cross-cultural awareness
• Cultural and interactive activities highlight the importance of community peace keepers and the values of community-building initiatives as important aspects of community development and crime prevention.

9)     CSF – COMMUNITY SAFETY FORUMS

• Monthly Community Safety Forums will be held in conjunction with VPD sections and members
• Talks will clarify VPD procedures, foster greater awareness of CPC/ VPD services and build relations to promote  community safety.

Partnership Program Collaboration:

10)  PT – PULLING TOGETHER CANOE JOURNEY

• Annual 8-day canoe trip brings together 150 law enforcement/ public service reps and 150 Aboriginal community members in an interactive, culturally immersive activity
• VACPC staff, youth and volunteers participate and contribute
• Circles of Understanding activities will be offered as a group activity

VACPC Collaboration through Direct Dialogue:

11)  CPCs – 9 COMMUNITY POLICING CENTRES

• Monthly meetings held to collaborate, plan, share successes and challenges
• Joint activities held to offer volunteer trainings, joint initiatives, crime-prevention strategies and community engagement
• Yearly CPC day held to promote awareness of CPC’s and collaboration between VPD, CPC volunteers and the general public
• CPC policy and procedure development is discussed in support of best practices approach

12)  MVAEC – METRO VANCOUVER ABORIGINAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

• Monthly meetings held with  up to 30 other Executive Directors from Aboriginal Agencies in Vancouver to discuss and develop strategies regarding areas of concern to the community.
• VACPC chairs the MVAEC Justice Committee along with Susan Tatoosh, Jerry Adams, Christine Smith and Mona Woodward
• Presentations are made to the Mayor, City Council, Vancouver Police Board and others as needed.

13)  VPD – VANCOUVER POLICE BOARD

• VACPC staff and Board members recognize the important role Police Board members hold as those who set VPD policies and oversee VPD management.
• Presentations are made to the Police Board when issues of mutual concern arise
• VACPC has met privately with 3 VPB reps to share COU program details and to discuss community issues and perspectives
• VACPC shares insights/ concerns from the community and Aboriginal perspectives on policy development an implementation

14)   UAPAC – ( CITY OF VANCOUVER’s) URBAN ABORIGINAL PEOPLES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

• City of Vancouver’s Aboriginal Advisory Group includes a VACPC staff (Genoa Point) and Board representative (Mona Woodward).
• Aboriginal community concerns will be shared directly with the Mayor and City Council for collaboration.
• Successes/ challenges/ concerns regarding policing matters will be included in the discussions.

15)  JIBC      JUSTICE INSTITUTE of BRITISH COLUMBIA

• Institute where all provincial police offers are trained welcomes our COU Circles of Understanding Public Education Display Panels
• Panels are set up during Police Recruit training sessions as an additional educational component

JIBC Aboriginal Advisory Committee includes a VACPC staff member and more training partnerships are planned

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