From: The Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples/Indonesians/Judith Nagata
The first voluntary organization, the Indonesian Canadian Association, was founded in Toronto in 1969 to provide mutual aid and assistance to newcomers; a similar group, the Canadian-Indonesian Society, was begun at about the same time in Vancouver. Both preceded the establishment of full consular services in Canada. Since consulates were set up in these cities in the late 1970s, the consul’s wife has usually presided over a women’s group, Dharma Wanita. The offices of the consuls general also maintain an interest in the welfare and activities of Indonesian students in Canada and regularly sponsor social and educational programs. For male Muslim students, the consulate is also the place where they can assemble for Friday prayer or religious gatherings. One organization with a strongly practical goal is the Indonesian Credit Union (Indoka), founded in Toronto in the early 1970s, and still run on a voluntary basis by a Chinese Indonesian businessman with the part-time assistance of volunteers. Its main purpose is to provide short-term, low-interest loans to newcomers, together with advice about the current labour and economic scene.
By the middle of the 1970s, when the Toronto community was increasing in numbers, some of its members took steps to bring Indonesian culture into the broader Canadian domain and to enhance public appreciation of its accomplishments. A small group of women, including Chinese and pribumi of both Christian and Muslim background, combined to form the first Indonesian cultural association, Sanggar Budaya (Culture Workshop), which specializes in dance and music from the different regions of Indonesia. Today it is complemented by a gamelan (percussion) orchestra, and a number of other, smaller cultural associations have recently emerged in local areas. Sanggar Budaya is run on a voluntary basis by a professional saleswoman, her sister, and others, and it has some non-Indonesian members. It has no premises of its own, but instead uses Indonesian churches, the consular residence, and other venues. There appear to be no organized political activities or associations, whether with an Indonesian or a Canadian focus.
