Native Friendship Centre facts for kids
Friendship Centres are special places that help Inuit, Métis, and First Nations people who live in cities and towns across Canada. These centres are like community hubs. They offer many different programs and services. These can include help with housing, finding jobs, health services, and fun cultural activities. Friendship Centres started in the 1950s. Today, there are over 100 of them all over Canada.
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How Friendship Centres Started
Friendship Centres began in the 1950s. They grew from a movement by Indigenous people themselves. Many Indigenous people were moving to cities and towns. This happened because of government policies at the time. These policies often made it hard for people to stay in their home communities. They were sometimes forced to move to urban areas.
People saw a need for places that could help these new city residents. They wanted places that offered support and a sense of community. So, they started to create Friendship Centres.
Some of the first centres were:
- The North American Indian Club in Toronto, Ontario (1951)
- The Coqualeetza Fellowship Club in Vancouver, British Columbia (1952)
- The Indian and Métis Friendship Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba
The number of centres grew quickly. By 1968, there were 26 centres. This number jumped to 80 by 1983. By 2009, there were 118 Friendship Centres across Canada.
Groups That Support Friendship Centres
Friendship Centres work together through different groups. These groups help them at both local and national levels. There are seven main groups that support centres in different provinces and territories.
These groups include:
- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC)
- The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC)
- Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan
- Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres
- Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association
- BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
- The Northwest Territories/Nunavut Council of Friendship Centres
National Association of Friendship Centres
The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) was created in 1972. Its main job is to speak for all Friendship Centres across Canada. It helps them work together.
The NAFC has a few key goals:
- To connect all Friendship Centres.
- To speak up for the needs of Indigenous people.
- To tell the government and public what local centres need.
The NAFC is a non-profit group. It is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors. This board includes representatives from different regions. It also has a youth representative. There is also a smaller Executive Committee. This committee includes a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and a youth executive.
The NAFC Board meets a few times a year. The Executive Committee also meets regularly. The NAFC also watches what the government is doing. This helps make sure that urban Indigenous people get the funding and services they need. The NAFC also helps centres share information. This keeps everyone updated on important news.
Programs and Services at Centres
Friendship Centres offer many different programs. They welcome everyone, no matter their background. They have an "open-door policy." This means anyone can come in and get help.
When you visit a Friendship Centre, you might find:
- Help finding other services
- Cultural programs and events
- Education and training support
- Job search help
- Health programs
- Justice programs
- Programs for children and youth
- Sports and recreation activities
- Help with starting a business
Many centres also offer language classes. They have computer training and job placements. You might find nutrition programs or healing circles. Some have summer camps and day care. They also offer youth counselling and drop-in centres. Many centres have arts and crafts shops. They also organize pow-wows and other cultural events.
Friendship Centres help over 1.3 million people every year across Canada.
The Senate of the Movement
The Friendship Centre Movement also has a group called the Senate. These are people who are respected for their wisdom. They represent the history and values of the movement. They help guide the current leaders.
Senators attend meetings as advisors. They offer advice to the Board of Directors. They also attend other special meetings when invited.
Aboriginal Youth Council
The Aboriginal Youth Council (AYC) is a group for young people. They talk about important issues for youth. These issues include staying in school. They also discuss healing and wellness. They work on preserving culture and heritage. The AYC also focuses on preventing homelessness. They help youth become leaders. They also work on job training. A big part of their role is making sure youth are involved in decisions.
The AYC defines youth as being between 14 and 24 years old.
How Friendship Centres Get Funding
In 1972, the Government of Canada officially recognized Friendship Centres. They started a program called the Migrating Native Peoples Program (MNPP). This program gave money to 40 Friendship Centres. It also funded the NAFC. This funding helped them with their daily operations.
The MNPP was extended over the years. In 1978, it grew to support 80 Friendship Centres. In 1983, the program changed its name. It became the Native Friendship Centre Program (NFCP). This program continued to provide funding for five years.
In 1988, the NFCP became the Aboriginal Friendship Centres Program (AFCP). This program became a permanent way for centres to get funding. In 1996, a big change happened. The NAFC took over managing the AFCP funds. This meant the NAFC now gave the money directly to local Friendship Centres. They also funded the provincial and territorial associations.
Examples of Friendship Centres
