Hamilton Regional Indian Centre

About the Centre

The Hamilton Regional Indian Centre (HRIC) was formally incorporated on June 19, 1973 and became a member of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) in 1973.

Through the course of its history the HRIC has gained and maintained credibility in the Native and non-Native sector at large. The HRIC is constantly growing and expanding its operations to meet the ever changing and growing needs of the Native community.

The HRIC is a member of the Hamilton Executive Directors' Aboriginal Coalition (HEDAC) that focuses on interagency advocacy, inter-community networking, sharing and working together to address issues of mutual interest or concern i.e. Homelessness & Affordable Housing, Education and Life Long Learning, Community Capacity Building, Economic Development, Justice, Health, and Arts and Culture.

Aims and Objectives

• To promote and preserve the culture, education general welfare, and well-being of Native People;
• To develop and deliver programs and projects aimed at satisfying felt and expressed cultural, educational economic, recreational and social needs of Native People;
• To develop Native leadership by providing guidance, support and encouragement to individuals;
• To increase the level of awareness of Native Culture and heritage in society.
• To establish resources which Native People can use in the development of their own community programs;
• To be involved in areas that directly or indirectly affect Native People;
• To promote the special needs and goals of the urban Native people; and
• To establish, operate and maintain a children's daycare centre.

Programs and Services

Akwe:go, Alcohol and Drug, Alternative Secondary School, Apatisiwin, Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program, Child Nutrition/Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Combined Courtwork, Community Action Program for Children, Community Wellness, Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth, Healthy Babies Healthy Children, Life Long Care, Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living, and Wasa-Nabin. Through its programs and service the HRIC provides preventative services, parenting skills development, crisis intervention, cultural activities, employment and training, traditional learning sessions, and recreational and health promotion (just to name a few). For detailed information please visit the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre's website www.hric.ca.