About DCS and this Knowledge Bundle
How it was created? DUDES Club members from around BC helped shape this bundle by sharing what it was like to start the club in their community. Frontline providers, health practitioners, and Elders also shared their perspectives about what it takes to start and maintain a successful DC
Why call it a Knowledge Bundle? We want to acknowledge the sacred work being done in creating DUDES Clubs around the province and across the country. Much as a medicine bundle supports healing and growth, our intent is to support those who wish to find pathways of health and well-being through establishing DUDES Clubs in their communities.
How does this Knowledge Bundle work? Each club will be unique depending on local factors such as culture, programs and resources available, and relationships within the community. This bundle will help guide development of a DUDES Club whether it’s on reserve or urban, First Nations, Metis or Inuit (an online version is available for download at: www.dudesclub.ca).
Each club is different depending on the culture, programs and resources available, and relationships within the community. This bundle will help guide the creation of a Dudes Club whether it’s on reserve or urban, First Nations, Metis or Inuit sites (an online version is available for download at: www. dudesclub.ca). The rest of this knowledge bundle has information on how to start a DUDES Club, get funding, and some helpful tips on activities and examples of important forms that a DUDES Club might need. The table of contents has page numbers for each section, including where the sample forms and documents are.
The DUDES Club team hopes this bundle is useful in the creation of your club. We are always happy to support new groups and answer questions. – Please do not hesitate to contact us: info@dudesclub.ca.
Our History
The DUDES Club was established in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in 2010 on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/ Selilwitulh (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations.
It is a proven model for Indigenous men’s wellness promotion that builds solidarity and brotherhood, enabling men to regain a sense of pride and purpose in their life. A 2013-2016 evaluation of the DUDES Club found increased attendance also increased benefits across mental, spiritual, physical and emotional health. In that study and another done in 2020, participants shared that they found DUDES to be a safe environment to connect and share. Indigenous men also particularly benefit from being a part of DUDES, including through increased trust in people, social/peer support, and connection to heritage and culture. To date, there are more than 40 DUDES Clubs in BC, although during COVID only half are active. More than 20 more are in process as we have conversations with men and Elders in communities, as well as with organizations that work for community wellness.
The DUDES Club is a place for men’s wellness that builds solidarity and brotherhood, supporting men in regaining a sense of pride and purpose in their life. Men who regularly come to the DUDES Club reported feeling like the DUDES Club provides a safe place where they can connect and share their stories with other men. Indigenous men have also said that they feel less isolated and more trusting and connected to their heritage and culture through being a part of their DUDES club.