Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre

About the Centre

The Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre (GBNFC) was incorporated on July 5, 1984 and became a member of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) on October 20, 1984. Its founding directors are: Roger Jackson, Charles Tobey, Rita C. Morin, Frederick Jackson, Rodney Mongue, Bruce Marsden, Flora Tabobondung, and Mildred Deschamps.

1984 - 1993

The GBNFC evolved from a very humble beginning into an organisation that has become an important aspect of the urban Anishnabek in the Midland/Penetanguishene area. This area includes Midland, Tiny Township, Penetanguishene, Port McNicoll and the surrounding villages in the area. GBNFC became recognized and incorporated as a non-profit organisation on July 5, 1984.

GBNFC operated for two full years on its own by fundraising and volunteer services before it attained Friendship Centre status and received core funding. A building was purchased at 366 Midland Avenue in Midland, Ontario from which the Centre's programs were delivered by a staff of three full-time workers and one part-time worker. The organisation is governed by an elected Board of nine Directors from its membership, a youth representative, and an elder. The president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary are the Executive Officers and make-up the Executive Committee. The Board is the policy making body of the organisation.

The Centre brought urban Anishnabek together through the development of specific programs such as the Community Development Worker program, Li'l Beavers Program, Youth/Social/Recreational Program, Treatment Program, Summer Prevention Program, Seniors Program, Native Language Program, Tenant Counsellor, Referral Services Intake Worker for Employment and Training, and Arts and Crafts. The type and nature of these programs have changed over the years, but many were fore-runners of the programs currently offered at the Centre.

1994 - 2005

The Centre rapidly became constrained within its physical environment from meeting the growing needs and demands of the Anishnabek in its area. A larger facility was needed to provide adequate services to our membership and clients. The need for more physical space was supported in a study conducted by Ballantyne/Branch Counsel to Recreation & Leisure Services.

The Board of Directors supported the need to acquire or build a larger facility that would meet the growing needs of the membership. Through 2 years of hard work, determination, and overcoming various barriers that dream became a reality in 1994. Land was purchased at the Centre's current location and a new 10,000 square feet was built.

For the next several years, the organisation was a hub of activities. The Centre formed partnering relationships with other Aboriginal and mainstream service providers to meet the needs of the urban Aboriginal community of the area. There were also turbulent times or growing-pains as the organisation evolved. There were periods of governance and financial distresses.

2006 - CURRENT

A change for the better started in late 2005. The membership, board, and staff made significant changes in governance, leadership, and fiscal management that steered the Centre into a steady climb to success. By-laws, policies, procedures, and protocols were reviewed and amended to serve the best interests of the organisation. Outstanding legal claims and legal matters were settled. In 2006, a new mortgage on the facility was arranged to settle all outstanding monetary issues including those with CRA to whom the Centre was indebted to the tune of approximately one-quarter of a million dollars.

The Centre increased its profile in the community at large with new networking, partnering, and marketing strategies; annual GBNFC awards presented to Aboriginal students graduating from the local area high schools; monthly newsletters to the membership; high-interest community workshops; career fairs; cultural ceremonies; and celebrations became common features at the Centre.

In 2009, the Centre celebrated its 25th anniversary with much fanfare and gratitude to the Creator for the favours he has bestowed upon it.

In 2010, the Centre, received the coveted the Ontario Indian Friendship Centre's "Model Friendship Centre of the Year Award" which was presented at the 26th Annual General Meeting. The award recognises outstanding achievement in governance, administration, fiscal management, and cultural relevance among other factors.

In 2011, the Centre for the second consecutive year, won the "Model Friendship Centre Award". The award was presented at the June 16, 2011 Annual General Meeting of the Centre.

The future will unfold along the path the Creator has laid out for the Centre. If the Centre stays true to Creator's teachings, follow his directions, and keeps to the path, the Centre will continue to stay healthy and flourish.

Aims and Objectives

• To provide an information and drop-in centre for the preservation and promotion of the Native cultural Heritage of the area;
• To collect, organise, store and present resources of all types pertinent to Native people;
• To provide facilities for the public display of selected items of the above resources;
• To provide facilities within the centre for meetings of interested groups;
• To publicise the activities of the Centre;
• To receive and maintain a fund or funds to do all such things that are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects of the Centre;
• To employ such staff the Board of Directors may decide, to carry out such duties as developed to promote, assist, advise and deliver programs which may be required to help Native People develop;
• To provide the staff, administrative framework, physical plant, equipment and furniture to carry out the stated objectives; and
• For the further attainment of the above, to acquire, accept, solicit or receive, by purchase, lease, contract, donation, legacy, gift, grant, bequest or otherwise, any kind of real or personal property and to enter into and carry out agreements, contracts and undertakings incidental thereto.

Mission

The GBNFC administers programs to the Georgian Bay region in areas such as health, family support, employment and training, education, children and youth initiatives as well as cultural awareness and activities. The Friendship Centre is an organisation whose values are built upon mutual respect, trust, open communication and teamwork between its employees, the organisation and the community. The Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre is committed to improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people living in an urban environment by supporting self determination and encouraging equal access to and participation in society.

Programs and Services

Akwe:go, Alcohol and Drug, Apatisiwin, Community Career Development, Community Mental Health, Community Wellness, Homelessness Partnering, Life Long Care, Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living, and Wasa-Nabin.