Hiiye'yu Lelum Society
House of Friendship
OUR HISTORY
Walking Together Since 1975
Originally established in 1975 as the Valley Native Friendship Centre, Hiiye'yu Lelum House of Friendship began with a simple but powerful purpose: to create a welcoming place where Indigenous people living in the Cowichan Valley could find connection, support, and community.
Over the past five decades, that vision has continued to grow. From a small referral service operated through volunteers and fundraising to a community organization offering more than 30 programs and services, Hiiye'yu Lelum has remained rooted in relationships, culture, and belonging.
Timeline
1975
A Place to Gather
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Valley Native Friendship Centre established in Duncan.
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Founding leaders recognize the need for a cultural bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communties
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Early services focused on referrals, advoacy, volunteerism and fundraising
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First office located beside St. Ann's Church before moving to Station Street.
1982
Building a Foundation
As more people turned to the Friendship Centre for support, new funding created opportunities from the Secretary of State to expand services. What began as a referral centre continue to evolve alongside community. There was a move from the Log Mart on the Trans-Canada Highway.
1988-1989
Walking Alongside Families
New programs supporting families, healthy pregnancies, and recovery reflected the growing needs of the community. These early services became the foundation for many of the programs that continue to support community today.
1994
A New Name, A Shared Vision
The Society offically became: Hiiye'yu Lelum (House of Friendship) Society. The Hul'q'umi'num', submitted by Ruby Peter, means:
House of Friendship — a home of a friend; a home away from home.
The Society also adopted its current logo, designed by Manuel Salazar, symbolizing friendship, trust, cultural exchange, and shared growth
1995-2007
Growing with Community
Highlights include:
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Move to the Sun Valley Mall
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Youth Centre Opens
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Additional office and program space
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Child care
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Community Kitchens
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Administrative growth
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Healiest Babies Possible expansion
2008 - 2011
Honouring Culture
Highlights include:
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Totem Pole welcomed visitors to the main foyer
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Welcome Pole created by Detreck George installed at the youth centre
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Partnered with the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) and the local Metis Association to host Aboriginal Day celebrations, including the raising of the Spirit Pole at the Cowichan Community Centre. Event welcomed approximately 600 people.
These additions reflected the organization's desire to reflect culture in our spaces and contribute to a welcoming atmosphere.
2012-2019
Strengthening Community Connections
Throughout the decade, Hiiye'yu Lelum continued to respond to evolving community needs by expanding culturally grounded programs, strengthening partnerships, and increasing opportunities for individuals, families, youth, and Elders. As services grew, so did the organization's role as a trusted place of connection, support, and belonging in the Cowichan Valley.
2020-2025
Walking Forward Together
Through resilience, partnership, and community, Hiiye'yu Lelum continued to evolve while remaining grounded in its purpose. New spaces for connection were created, programs continued to respond to emerging needs, and in 2025 the organization proudly celebrated 50 years of walking alongside the Cowichan Valley. Other highlights:
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2020 Quickly adapting to COVID-19 pandemic, supporting individuals, families and responding to increasing needs of food security, housing, mental health, addictions and family well-being
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2023 Opened Tth'utth'ush Lelum (Dragonfly House), an outdoor learning and gathering space featuring entry poles and artwork by Eddy Joe
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2025 Celebrating 50 years of service in the Cowichan Valley
Our Journey Continues
For more than 50 years, Hiiye'yu Lelum has been shaped by the people, relationships, and communities that continue to walk alongside one another. While much has changed over the decades, our purpose remains the same: creating welcoming spaces where people feel connected, supported, and valued.
Huy ch q'u to the founders, Elders, volunteers, staff, Board members, partners, and community members whose care, leadership, and generosity have shaped Hiiye'yu Lelum's journey. Together, we continue strengthening community, one relationship at a time.
Our Website is Being Refreshed
We're creating a more welcoming and accessible online space to better connect our community with programs, services, events, and opportunities. Some pages are still under construction as we continue to build. Thank you for your patience—we look forward to sharing our new website with you soon.