Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres

Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
Type	Nonprofit organization
Founded	1971

Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres is a provincial organization representing Friendship Centres in Ontario.

In Anishinabek News

• September 2014: The organization partnered with the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada in September 2014 to engage youth in environmental projects. Since 1971, the federation has developed policy and services for the urban Aboriginal population, which makes up 83 percent of the Indigenous people in Ontario. The federation's Aboriginal Youth Council will help nine centres identify and implement local water awareness campaigns.
• October 2014: The organization partnered with the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada to host a water protection workshop in October 2014. Its Aboriginal Youth Council participated in traditional teachings and governance sessions to prepare for local environmental campaigns.
• June 2015: The Peel Aboriginal Network is the latest member of this organization as of June 2015.
• September 2016: The federation partnered with the Ontario Native Women's Association to produce the Breaking Free, Breaking Through video and research project. Research conducted by the organization found that cultural practices and shared spaces are essential for Indigenous women to heal from violence.
• November 2016: The organization officially changed its name from the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres on April 1, 2014.
• March 2017: The organization provided a trainer, Michael White, to speak at a health forum regarding treaty status.
• August 2018: The organization held its 49th annual conference in North Bay in July 2018. It supports urban Indigenous people by providing culturally appropriate services through its member grassroots centres. As of August 2018, the federation maintains a six-member executive board with equal gender representation and significant youth involvement.
• March 2020: Delegates from the federation attended a talk by Ray Hookimaw regarding the needs of Two-Spirit individuals.
• August 2020: The organization signed a mutual commitment agreement with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario on August 19, 2020. It represents the collective interests of Friendship Centres that provide culturally based services to Indigenous people living in urban areas across Ontario.
• December 2020: The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres was one of the organizations that nominated Suzanne Smoke for an Atlohsa Peace Award.
• March 2021: The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres released a report in March 2021 regarding the role of cultural ceremonies in preventing gender-based violence. The organization represents the interests of urban Indigenous people and provides culturally based services through its member centres across Ontario. Executive Director Sylvia Maracle stated that Indigenous communities possess the essential knowledge and practices needed to lead safe and healthy lives.
• May 2021: The organization announced the appointment of Gertie Mai Muise as its new Executive Director in May 2021. It supports the Friendship Centre movement and advocates for urban Indigenous people across Ontario. The federation was involved in the rollout of the Ontario Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy.
• April 2022: The organization was established in 1971 and represents friendship centres in various towns and cities across Ontario. On March 30, 2022, the federation held a virtual launch for its new book, Finishing The Sweetgrass Braid. The group applied for a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council in the fall of 2013 to fund the multi-year project that resulted in the book.
• April 2022: A policy analyst from this organization assisted in writing drafts of the protocol agreement between local Indigenous groups.
• September 2022: This organization represents the interests of 29 Friendship Centres located in cities and towns across Ontario. The federation launched the Restoring Indigenous Humanity podcast series in September 2022 to discuss systemic injustices and legal accountability. The group advocates for culturally based services and improved access to society for urban Indigenous people.
• October 2022: The federation provides the funding for the new Seven Stones Learning Centre in North Bay. It acts as a primary partner alongside the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre and the local school board to deliver alternative education.
• March 2023: The organization launched a harm reduction toolkit in March 2023 to address opioid deaths and infections in urban Indigenous communities. It advocates for Indigenous people living off-reserve and coordinates mental health and addictions programming across Ontario. The federation was established in 1971 to support culturally based programs and services in cities and towns.
• August 2023: The organisation ratified two new member centres during its annual general meeting held in Ottawa from July 21 to 23, 2023. It serves as the largest urban Indigenous service network in Ontario, supporting 31 member centres through various social, health, and educational programmes.
• November 2023: The Nagweyaabiin Friendship Centre expressed hope in 2023 to secure funding from this organization to empower their mission.
• June 2024: The organisation was represented at the Maamwi Kindaaswin Pow Wow by its Co-Executive Director. The federation represents a network of 31 centres across Ontario.
• September 2026: The organization was represented at the conference by Mallory Solomon, who spoke about the experiences of Two-Spirit youth.