History of Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre - TLAFC

The Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre was incorporated in 1968. TLAFC provides services to Native secondary and post-secondary students residing in the City of Nanaimo. Over the years THNFC has grown from a coffee drop-in to a centre offering Educational and Training Programs, Health & Counselling Services, Social Service Programs as well as a wide variety of special events and activities for children and youth, men and women, families, Elder’s and the Community.

TLAFC uses First Nations teachings as a guideline. The teachings are that we must learn balance in all things. Each person is an emotional, mental, physical & spiritual being and all aspects must be cared for and kept in balance. This understanding guides our work as “helpers”. We help others to see themselves in this holistic way we structure our program so that healing can take place in each of these areas of a person’s life.

TLAFC delivers Cross Cultural Training workshops for the Community, Businesses and Organizations as needed.

TLAFC Health Centre offers Community Health Program, is a growing Holistic Health Service in our Community. The Service offers Health promotion and Health Prevention through Education on an individual consultation basis or within Group settings. This Service is open to all people.

We offer ways to strengthen relationships within Families through promoting Healing, Personal Growth, and Community interaction. Some of the services offered are:

Traditional Healing, Elders Support, Healing Circles, Sweats and Smudges, Monthly Immunization, Breast Feeding Clinic, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects Support and Education, Nutrition Counselling, Birth Control Education, Self Care Education, Well Baby Clinic (immunization), Sexually Transmitted Disease/Human Immunodeficiency Virus testing, Breast self exam, Testicular self exam, Diabetes support