Barrie Native Friendship Centre

About the Centre

The Barrie Native Friendship Centre (BNFC) was incorporated on April 11, 1988 and became a member of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) in October 1988. Its founding directors are: Kenneth A. Geroux, Cheryl P. Sutherland, and Georgette R. Hamelin.

In 1988, the BNFC secured a tiny office space on Dunlop Street that consisted of three rooms, however, with a growing organisation, a bigger space was required which eventually lead to the purchase of 175 Bayfield Street.

Since its inception, the BNFC has grown to serve specific community needs through programs and services ranging from recreational, education, social and cultural activities. The BNFC hosts numerous social gatherings and fundraising activities. These activities assist in gathering support for the Centre as well as raising the consciousness of the whole community by attempting to bring people together. The BNFC has existed solely on the efforts of volunteers and supporters who believe in a common vision; that the Native and Non-native communities in Barrie would benefit greatly from this multi-service centre.

The BNFC has accessed a number of programs through the OFIFC and considers its relationship with the OFIFC to be vital and critical in its future endeavours.

Aims and Objectives

• Act on behalf of Aboriginal people in an off-reserve environment.
• To empower Aboriginal people to be individually and collectively self determining.
• To gather and disseminate information, provide referrals, programs, services, activities, cultural realization, community, development and all other such activities which ensures Aboriginal people a better quality of life through self-determination.
• To respect and honour, all Aboriginal beliefs and customs through all aspects of Friendship Centre activities.
• To encourage unity amongst all Aboriginal people regardless of residence and legal definition and in accordance with the vision of the Centre.
• To cooperate with other organisations, whether incorporated or not, which have objectives similar, in whole or in part, to the objects of the corporation.
• For the objects aforesaid, to purchase, lease, erect, build, or otherwise acquire, own, operate or use buildings and any other facilities necessary to run the aforementioned program(s) and service(s).
• For the further attainment of said objectives, to employ staff to run the aforementioned program(s) and service(s) provided that the corporation shall not pay any remuneration to any board director.

Programs and Services

Akwe:go, Apatisiwin, Community Action Program for Children, Community Wellness, Criminal Courtwork, Health Outreach, Healthy Babies Healthy Children, Life Long Care, Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living, and, Wasa-Nabin.

The BNFC hosts an annual Pow Wow which is held the 1st weekend in June.