DUDES club, based in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, describes itself as a brotherhood supporting men’s health and wellness, using a mental, physical, emotional and spiritual approach to health. DUDES stands for Downtown Urban Knights Defending Equality and Solidarity

Established in 2010, the organization has since then set up clubs in communities across British Columbia with a mission to facilitate a participant-like community for men's wellness, with activity-based clubs that prioritize supportive relationships, engagement in health care and local indigenous worldviews.

Over the past week, reporter John Zee has been invited to participate in several community gatherings organized by the DTES club.

He spoke with Sandy Lambert, elder and external liaison, and  Robert Chippeway, a DUDES club champion and leader. They talked at length about the origins of the club, the work they do to empower men and the personal benefits they receive from being involved with the organization.

From there, they transitioned to issues affecting men in the Downtown Eastside and offered their thoughts about Truth and Reconciliation Day.

Listen to the discussion below.