Due to Covid-19 the Fraser River Indigenous Society offices open with appointments. We are modifying our programs during these times
FRASER RIVER
INDIGENOUS SOCIETY
supportive family access program
ACCESS SUPPORTED CONNECTIONS
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Fraser River Indigenous Society is an innovative multi- service agency working at all levels to provide permanency to Indigenous Children and Youth for the purposes of achieving reunification, physical permanency and relational permanency when reunification is not possible.
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Fraser River Indigenous Society has established itself and this program as a relevant key service organization for Urban First Nations, Metis and Inuit families and individuals. Our program aims to enhance the capacity of Indigenous families in the Maple Ridge/ Pitt Meadows area to care for their children in a self-determined way.
cultural safety
FRIS embraces Cultural Safety as a measure to provide Indigenous families with a safe, supported and culturally relevant space in which healthy attachment can be fostered.
Empowering Indigenous parents through role modeling, strengths-based feedback, and opportunity to demonstrate increased parenting capacity.
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Procedures for Assessing Covid 19 Risk
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FRIS staff have a phone Pre check in system for visits. The check in will include a questionnaire that will determine immediate health risks. If the client or caregiver including the children, answers yes to any of the questions in the pre check in, then the visit will be rescheduled. If the answers to the questionnaire shows no risk, then the procedures to visit will follow.
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FRIS will have in place procedures that will be handed out or verbalized to the families and posted before entering the room.
Family ACCESS Workers
Ashley
gauley
Access Program Assistant
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Hi! My name is Ashley, and I am a mother to a 3-year-old boy. I was born and raised in Maple Ridge, so a lot of my time is spent outdoors, taking in the beauty of the mountains surrounding us. I enjoy taking the holistic approach to health and wellness by educating myself on how to fuel our mind, body & soul in the healthiest way possible. I am a spiritual being who recognizes we are all connected, and I strongly resonate with First Nations culture and values. I am very thankful to work for FRIS and provide support and resources to all indigenous people in the community. Fun fact: My favourite places to visit are on the traditional territory of Katzie First Nation including Pitt Lake and Golden Ears.
Chelsea
tobin
Access Program Worker
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Chelsea is originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia (Kjipuktuk). She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Family Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University just before moving to BC in 2018. During university, Chelsea worked at a shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence and co-authored a published journal article on gender-based violence with her professor. She also has a background in Social Work, having worked for the Squamish Nation's Child and Family Services Department on the Guardianship team. Chelsea has a passion for supporting children and youth placed in foster care with their connection to their families as well as to their community and culture. When she’s not working, she loves to go out into nature to find a new place to swim, walk, or practice hoop dancing.
