Odawa Native Friendship Centre

About the Centre

The Odawa Native Friendship Centre (ONFC) was incorporated on August 19, 1975 and became a member of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) in October 25, 1975.

The ONFC opened its doors to the Aboriginal community of Ottawa in August 1975 - the Aboriginal population has grown in the Ottawa community which means an expansion of services. The ONFC is an organisation which offers various programs and services to people of all ages and where "Everyone Is Welcome".

For over three decades now, Odawa's volunteers, Board of Directors, committee members and staff have worked diligently to ensure that they positively affect the quality of life for Aboriginal people in the Capital region.

The ONFC serves the Aboriginal community in the Ottawa-Carleton Region of Eastern Ontario and surrounding communities.

Mission

To enhance the quality of life for Aboriginal people in the Capital region. To maintain a tradition of community, an ethic of self-help and development as well as to provide traditional teachings from Aboriginal elders. These are important values which ONFC will continue to reinforce in the next millennium.

Programs and Services

Akwe:go, Alternative Secondary School, Community Action Program for Children. Community Justice, Community Wellness, Criminal Courtwork, Healthy Babies Healthy Children, Homelessness Partnering, Life Long Care, Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living, and, Wasa-Nabin.

Through its programs and services the ONFC operates the Shawenjeagamik Aboriginal Drop in Centre and Sweetgrass Home Child Care Agency and provides community services, sports and recreation, cultural awareness and information referral. The ONFC also hosts an annual pow-wow held each May, Native veteran's dinner, traditional drumming and dancing, dances, socials and family events, and children's pow-wow.