North Bay Indian Friendship Centre

About the Centre

The North Bay Indian Friendship Centre (NBIFC) was incorporated on March 22, 1974 and became a member of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) in 1974.

The NBIF became the fourteenth Indian Friendship Centre in Ontario when it was incorporated. Originally located in a small building on the corner of Cassells and Third Avenue, the Centre moved to its present location at 980 Cassells Street in 1978.

Like the original Friendship Centre concept which recognised the need to assist native people leaving reserves to make the adjustment to urban life, the NBIFC grew out of a need to provide a central place of orientation or "gathering place" for the 600 or so Native students who came from such Native communities as Manitoulin Island and James Bay area to attend schools in North Bay.

Under the direction of 10 elected Board of Directors and two appointed member (an elder and a student representative), the NBIFC is a non-political, non-sectarian, autonomous social service agency existing to administer and implement programs to meet the needs of the Native people either migrating to North Bay or living in North Bay.

Aims and Objectives

• To design, develop and deliver culturally competent programs, services and activities that reflect the needs, concerns and aspirations of urban First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples;
• Promote respect for, and awareness of, Aboriginal culture in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities;
• Support unity and collaboration among all Aboriginal people regardless of legal definition of Status, Non-Status, Métis, Indian or Inuit;
• Productive, purposeful and respectful collaboration with other Aboriginal organisations, community partners, and representative non-Aboriginal groups toward a just society, equal opportunity for participation, tolerance for differences and respect for land, water and all living things;
• Develop of opportunities and mechanisms to encourage participation by the Aboriginal community in the affairs and governance of the North Bay Indian Friendship Centre; and
• Fostering leadership development opportunities for Aboriginal youth.

Mission

The mission of the NBIFC is to improve the quality of life for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit people in the urban environment of North Bay by supporting self-determined activities which encourage equal access and participation in society and which respects Aboriginal cultural distinctiveness.

Programs and Services

Akwe:go, Alcohol and Drug, Apatisiwin, Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program, Child Nutrition/Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Community Action Program for Children Community Wellness, Criminal Courtwork, Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth, Family Courtwork, Health Outreach, Healthy Babies Healthy Children, Kizhaay Anishnaabe Niin, Life Long Care, Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living, and Wasa-Nabin.

The NBIFC also operates Weegwahs Weegwahm homeless shelter, which is situated directly behind the Friendship Centre.