PERMAI-BC Association

PERMAI-BC Association is a non-profit and non-political Indonesian community organization based in Vancouver, BC, dedicated to serving the Indonesian diaspora across British Columbia. Since its establishment in 1995, the organization has developed comprehensive programming and initiatives designed to strengthen connections within the Indonesian community while fostering cultural understanding among broader Canadian audiences.

The organization operates with three core missions: fostering closer cooperation among Indonesians in BC, serving as a sourcing hub for community members and resources, and introducing Indonesian arts and culture to Canadians in general. PERMAI-BC (Persatuan Masyarakat Indonesia di British Columbia, Canada) accomplishes these goals through a diverse range of community initiatives and cultural programming. The organization hosts Indonesia Fest, an annual festival in collaboration with the Consulate General of Indonesia in Vancouver, featuring traditional dance performances, musical performances, authentic cuisine, and arts and crafts. Additionally, PERMAI-BC manages the Kuliner Initiative, which showcases Indonesian culinary traditions through dining experiences and cooking workshops, and operates the PERMAI BC Hub, a dedicated social network for strengthening community bonds.

With approximately 7,000 Indonesians living in British Columbia—roughly half residing in Vancouver and throughout the Lower Mainland—PERMAI-BC serves a substantial and growing community. The organization was founded by members of the local Indonesian, Dutch-Indonesian, and Canadian communities who had lived in Indonesia, creating an inclusive space where community members can congregate without political, ethnic, or religious boundaries. Through its events, membership directory, newsletters, and merchandise initiatives, PERMAI-BC continues to bridge Indonesian heritage with Canadian society while supporting the social and cultural needs of Vancouver's Indonesian community.