The Indigenous Friendship Centre is new to Spaces & we wanted to give a little introduction for those who may not know about us!
The Indigenous Friendship Centre (IFC) in Sault Ste. Marie (formally, The Indian Friendship Centre) was incorporated on March 30, 1972, and became a member of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centre's (OFIFC) on February 25, 1973.
The Indigenous Friendship Centre in Sault Ste. Marie (IFCSSM) has occupied the same building since 1995. 122 East Street was formally Great Lakes Power Building back then.
With the increase in programs and services for a growing urban indigenous population that led to the addition of the newly constructed hall on June 16, 2003 & purchasing an additional parking lot in July, 2024.
Today, the IFCSSM has four locations in Sault Ste Marie: 1. Main Location at 122 East Street 2. Community Health Access Centre at 376 Queen Street 3. Kina Awiiya Secondary School & Mukwa Waanzh EarlyOn at 241 Albert St W 4. Aanji Bimaadizi Homeward Bound at 462 McNabb Street… and soon our 30 Bed Men's Transitional Home!
Our Mission: The IFCSSM is guided by the teachings given by the creator to the Indigenous people. These teachings will unite us in harmony as we build a strong, proud community for seven generations.
Our Objectives: 1. To provide a medium for the meeting of Indigenous AND non-Indigenous people and the development of mutual understanding through common activities. 2. To stimulate and assist Indigenous self-expression and the development of Indigenous leadership. 3. To assist and encourage study of Indigenous needs as well as the planning of services with Indigenous people and both public and private agencies. 4. To have employees conduct their business with clients in accordance with the Seven Grandfather’s Teachings.
Our Programs: The Indigenous Friendship Centre has a total of 23 Programs currently but constantly growing!
9 Children's & Youth Services that include: Pre-Natal Nutrition Program (ages 0-6months) Indigenous Healthy Babies/Healthy Children Program (ages 0-6 years) Family Support Program (ages 0-6 years) Mukwa Waanzh Early-On (ages 0 - 6 years) Akwe:go Program (ages 7-12 years) Healthy Kids Program (ages 12-16 years) Wasa-Nabin Program (ages 13-18 years) Naawageeshiingong Indigenous Youth Wellness (ages 13-18 years) Kina Awiiya Secondary Program (ages 16+)
14 Adult Support Programs that include: Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program Homelessness Partnering Strategy - Reaching Home Indigenous Mental Health Healing and Wellness Cultural Resource Kizhaay (I’m a Kind Man) Program Healthy Living Life Long Care Combined Family Court Work Program Criminal Court Work Program Apatiswin Employment Program Aajibimaadizi Homeward Bound Program Urban First Nation Registration N’Mninoeyaa Aboriginal Health Access Center
What Friendship Centre's do? The Friendship Centre Movement (FCM) is the country’s most significant urban Indigenous service delivery infrastructure. Friendship Centre's are not-for-profit and charity corporations that are mandated to serve the needs of urban Indigenous people by providing culturally appropriate services in urban communities. Friendship Centre's are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of elected members. They are membership driven organizations in urban communities that serve all urban Indigenous people, regardless of status.
Every Friendship Centre is managed independently from the OFIFC and offers supportive programs and services that are needed in their community, as well as providing a place of acceptance and well-being for Indigenous peoples. As every Friendship Centre is located in a different geographical location, the needs of each community differ as well. The dynamic staff and volunteers from each Friendship Centre provide up to as many as 20+ programs for urban Indigenous people, with services covering the full spectrum of the life cycle.
Who Can Access Services? Everyone is welcome to access our services and programs. BUT there are some services or programs that are ONLY offered to our Urban Indigenous Community, otherwise we are open to all & always welcome everyone.
If you have any question or would like to get more involved with us follow us on fb (https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousFriendshipCentre/) for updates, we are excited to start using Spaces more as well or.. call us at 705-256-5634.
Aaniin,
The Indigenous Friendship Centre is new to Spaces & we wanted to give a little introduction for those who may not know about us!
The Indigenous Friendship Centre (IFC) in Sault Ste. Marie (formally, The Indian Friendship Centre) was incorporated on March 30, 1972, and became a member of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centre's (OFIFC) on February 25, 1973.
The Indigenous Friendship Centre in Sault Ste. Marie (IFCSSM) has occupied the same building since 1995. 122 East Street was formally Great Lakes Power Building back then.
With the increase in programs and services for a growing urban indigenous population that led to the addition of the newly constructed hall on June 16, 2003 & purchasing an additional parking lot in July, 2024.
Today, the IFCSSM has four locations in Sault Ste Marie:
1. Main Location at 122 East Street
2. Community Health Access Centre at 376 Queen Street
3. Kina Awiiya Secondary School & Mukwa Waanzh EarlyOn at 241 Albert St W
4. Aanji Bimaadizi Homeward Bound at 462 McNabb Street… and soon our 30 Bed Men's Transitional Home!
Our Mission:
The IFCSSM is guided by the teachings given by the creator to the Indigenous
people. These teachings will unite us in harmony as we build a strong, proud
community for seven generations.
Our Objectives:
1. To provide a medium for the meeting of Indigenous AND non-Indigenous people and the development of mutual understanding through common activities.
2. To stimulate and assist Indigenous self-expression and the development of Indigenous leadership.
3. To assist and encourage study of Indigenous needs as well as the planning of services with Indigenous people and both public and private agencies.
4. To have employees conduct their business with clients in accordance with the Seven Grandfather’s Teachings.
Seven Grandfather Teachings:
Humility, Bravery, Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect and Love.
Our Programs:
The Indigenous Friendship Centre has a total of 23 Programs currently but constantly growing!
9 Children's & Youth Services that include:
Pre-Natal Nutrition Program (ages 0-6months)
Indigenous Healthy Babies/Healthy Children Program (ages 0-6 years)
Family Support Program (ages 0-6 years)
Mukwa Waanzh Early-On (ages 0 - 6 years)
Akwe:go Program (ages 7-12 years)
Healthy Kids Program (ages 12-16 years)
Wasa-Nabin Program (ages 13-18 years)
Naawageeshiingong Indigenous Youth Wellness (ages 13-18 years)
Kina Awiiya Secondary Program (ages 16+)
14 Adult Support Programs that include:
Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program
Homelessness Partnering Strategy - Reaching Home
Indigenous Mental Health
Healing and Wellness
Cultural Resource
Kizhaay (I’m a Kind Man) Program
Healthy Living
Life Long Care
Combined Family Court Work Program
Criminal Court Work Program
Apatiswin Employment Program
Aajibimaadizi Homeward Bound Program
Urban First Nation Registration
N’Mninoeyaa Aboriginal Health Access Center
What Friendship Centre's do?
The Friendship Centre Movement (FCM) is the country’s most significant urban Indigenous service delivery infrastructure. Friendship Centre's are not-for-profit and charity corporations that are mandated to serve the needs of urban Indigenous people by providing culturally appropriate services in urban communities. Friendship Centre's are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of elected members. They are membership driven organizations in urban communities that serve all urban Indigenous people, regardless of status.
Every Friendship Centre is managed independently from the OFIFC and offers supportive programs and services that are needed in their community, as well as providing a place of acceptance and well-being for Indigenous peoples. As every Friendship Centre is located in a different geographical location, the needs of each community differ as well. The dynamic staff and volunteers from each Friendship Centre provide up to as many as 20+ programs for urban Indigenous people, with services covering the full spectrum of the life cycle.
Who Can Access Services?
Everyone is welcome to access our services and programs. BUT there are some services or programs that are ONLY offered to our Urban Indigenous Community, otherwise we are open to all & always welcome everyone.
If you have any question or would like to get more involved with us follow us on fb (https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousFriendshipCentre/) for updates, we are excited to start using Spaces more as well or.. call us at 705-256-5634.
Miigwetch!!! Catch you around Spaces !