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With 2019 fast approaching, it is important that we pause and

reflect on the events that have brought us to where we are today.

As many of you already know, last year Oasis decided to begin

Indigenizing our Society. In part due to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls

to Action, but more importantly, because it is the right thing to do. As Oasis grew, we became

more aware of the history of colonization and the impacts it has had on the original peoples of

this land, one symptom being dispossession and homelessness. To do right by the people that we

serve, Indigenizing Oasis is part of the reconciliation journey that we must walk together. Oasis

has been fortunate to have built up a strong network of support from people like you, who have

opened up your hearts – and even your homes – to help build deep friendships within our Oasis

community. We need you now, just as much as we’ve always had.

With all that being said, this past year was a time of transition for Oasis. Last June, we

said goodbye to our first home and the place where it all began, the Fairfield Hotel. Along with

freeing up much-needed rooms at the Fairfield, we were also able to decrease our rent by one-

third of our initial cost and have access to spacious programming rooms, while being surrounded

by other social service organizations. We hope you will stop in and visit us at our new location in

the Victoria Social Innovation Centre.

Integrated recovery and lasting healing for Indigenous peoples affected by inter-generational trauma

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This year has also brought about some internal staffing

changes within the Society. Following health concerns in early

2018, Margaret O’Donnell stepped down as the Executive

Director and after a brief return to work in the spring of 2018,

decided to officially retire on October 8, 2018. As Foundress of

the Oasis Society, her legacy is an inspiration to all of us. She

worked passionately to empower and connect vulnerable people

in Victoria to the larger network of support within the Oasis

community, where companionship, meal sharing, and

acceptance prevailed. She has touched the lives of so many

through her delicate actions to re-connect homeless participants

to the people who loved them first - their families and

communities. This was an essential aspect of the work for

Margaret, and her legacy is the beautiful gift she has left to the

Indigenous community. In the tradition and language of the of

the Lekwungen-speaking peoples, whose territory we are on, we

raise our hands to Margaret and say, “hiswke siam” (thank you respected one).

Kathryn Lacerte, a long-time friend of Oasis and member of the Nadleh Whut’en band in

the Carrier Nation, had big shoes to fill when she stepped into the

Executive Director role. Her love and dedication to Oasis has

shown through in all the work that she has done for us. She is

currently on maternity leave until July 2019, after welcoming baby

Mariana into this world on July 1st, 2018.

We would like to say thank you to Yvonne Rigbsy-Jones

for filling in until we found a replacement for Kathryn’s maternity

leave. Yvonne is a respected Elder from the Snuneymuxw First

Nation and brought with her many years of experience as an

Executive Director for Tsow-Tun- Le Lum (“helping house”)

where she oversaw programs that addressed the issues of

addictions and substance abuse for survivors of trauma and

residential schools.

Margaret O'Donnell, Foundress, accepts the 2017 United Way of Greater Victoria Community Partner SPIRIT award on behalf of the Oasis Society.

Diego, Kathryn, Santiago, and Mariana at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre Blanketing Ceremony

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We are happy to announce that Jenna Burke, a Mi'kmaq member of Lennox Island

First Nation in Prince Edward Island, is our

new Interim Executive Director. She is

currently completing her Masters of Arts in

Indigenous Governance at the University of

Victoria. She has over 10 years’ experience

running Indigenous programming at the

community and national level. She is an

Indigenous rights advocate and community

mobilizer. She first became passionate about

the issue of homelessness as a teenager when she

volunteered with her grandmother at Nitapk House (”my friend’s house”).

Tobias Jones is a graduate of the Family Support Worker Program with Camosun

College. With just under 10 years’ experience working in housing and homelessness in

Victoria, he is well-connected with the downtown services. He

was first connected to Oasis in 2012 when Margaret O’Donnell

visited his work, looking for a resident that she was trying to

reunite with his family and community. He started attending the

Tuesday Night Dinners in 2015 and accepted a position with us in

November 2017. He is a member of the Hesquiaht First Nation

band which is part of the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation. Tobias is a

natural at supporting the community and we are very lucky to

have him as part of the Oasis Team!

Jenna, her fiancé, Ryan, and their furbaby, George

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Tuesday Night Dinners 4PM

(none on December 25 or January 1)

Enjoy a homemade meal, served family style

in a relaxing environment.

Wednesday Women’s Group 11AM

(none on December 26 or January 2)

Enjoy crafts, ceremony, and outings while

sharing food.

Celebrate with Community Dinner

December 5, 2018 at 4PM

Dinner at Jeanne and Kem Luther’s in

Mechoisin.

* Let us know if you need a ride so we can

make sure we have enough volunteers.

Drum Making

Saturday, December 8 from 9AM – 4PM

Teachings, making the drum and learning

songs with Sarah Underdown and Glenn

Patterson.

* Space is limited so please register.

Oasis Holiday Open House Potluck

Saturday, December 8, from 4PM-6PM

Everyone is welcome to our Holiday Open

House. Come see our new space and mingle

with the Oasis Community!

Healing Retreat – December 10-13

At Elder Levi Martin’s in Ucluelet on Long

Beach.

* Space is limited so please register.

Oasis Holiday Dinner

Tuesday, December 25, at 12PM

Foundress, Margaret O’Donnell, has

volunteered to bring Holiday Dinner and

spirit to the Fairfield Hotel.

Do you like cooking meals? Then how about volunteering to prepare a homemade meal for

our Tuesday dinner? We can buy the ingredients for you to prepare it in your home or ours.

Do you have a special gift you would like to share? Maybe you can bead, weave

cedar, make moccasins, or another special craft. We would love for you to share your gifts with

us. Let us know what supplies you need and we can set up a day!

Would you be willing to transport? We have a Healing Retreat in Ucluelet on December

10-13 and we could use an extra driver. We can use your vehicle or we can rent one.

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The Oasis Society is looking for passionate and dedicated board members to join our

team! Please send your bio or resume and cover letter, to Jenna Burke at

executivedirector@oasisvic.org by Friday, January 11, 2019. To learn more about this

opportunity, contact Jenna by email or phone.

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Diocese of Victoria

Capital Regional District

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

The United Way of Greater Victoria

The Catholic Foundation and the Sara Spenser Foundation

The Province of British Columbia

Civil Forfeitures through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Community Gaming Grants

The Sisters of St. Ann Esther’s Dream Fund

We would like to offer a heartfelt thanks to the numerous individuals, families and

friends who contributed financially to Oasis throughout the years. You have made

our work possible.

As a registered charity, you can donate to Oasis online or by

mail and receive a tax receipt. One time and monthly donations

by credit card are accepted through CanadaHelps.org