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Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre
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Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre
Box 244, 1 Legion Road
Red Lake, ON
P0V-2M0

Phone: (807) 727-2847
Fax: (807) 727-3253

E-Mail: friends@goredlake.com


- History -

In 1964, the young Native people of Red Lake organized the District Indian Youth Club, which developed into the Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre. The District Youth Club catered to its membership’s recreational and social needs. It soon became evident that the Club was making a positive impact on the community, being called upon to provide a variety of services to the Native and non-Native community, business and government agencies. In 1968 the original Board of Directors was formed with fifteen members establishing the Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre. Their work centered around the development of the constitution and By-laws. In 1971 the Red Lake Friendship Centre was incorporated as a non-profit organization and in 1976 was a Registered Charity with Revenue Canada. Initially, short-term projects provided funding for the Centre through a variety of programs, but in 1972 funding was received from the Secretary of State for the Core Operations. During this initial development state the Friendship Centre experienced all the growing pains that any new organization encounters, add to this the fact that this was occurring when the District social climate appeared to foster racism, further hindering the Centre’s development. Securing a facility to meet the Centre’s needs was the first major undertaken by the Board of Directors. In 1975, with a $30,000 donation from Miles for Millions, the Friendship Centre was able to purchase land and an existing building (constructed in 1937). Major renovations to both the interior and exterior took place. From 1976 to present the Friendship Centre continued to expand by developing our human resources, programming and funding base. In the late 1980’s the Centre realized that it would need to replace the building and a Capital Expansion Project began. The Friendship Centre entered into an agreement with the Ontario government to build a facility for our Community Resource Centre Program (incarcerated aboriginal offenders), which took place in the early 1990’s. Management functions also developed with an in-depth review of the Corporation By-Laws taking place in 1990. In 1991 the Board of Directors undertook a comprehensive study of goals, objectives and programs, culminating in a five-year strategic plan. A commitment to reviewing the strategy on an annual basis parallel to the Core Funding Submission has greatly enhanced the Centre’s Progress. During the 1990’s, the Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre reviewed its direction, which led to the development of a Mission Statement, further development and implementation of policies and procedures, a Board orientation manual and an improved approach to service delivery and staffing. The Board also examined their independence from the provincial and national association of Friendship Centres. After much thought and debate a decision was made in 1995 to rejoin the NAFC. Further discussion resulted in a 1999 decision to rejoin the OFIFC. Funding provided through the OFIFC enhanced the services the Friendship Centre could make available to the community and challenged the capabilities of the building. In addition the Board of Directors and management staff examined alternatives for funding and gave serious consideration to self-sufficiency. Eventually the old building began to have plumbing and electrical problems that just weren’t fixable. In 1998, the old building was demolished and the Friendship Centre temporarily relocated to facility they owned on Forestry Road and the Capital construction began. On November 5, 1999 the Friendship Centre held their Grand Opening for the new Centre located on the old site. In October 2000, the Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre undertook the next step in their journey, the establishment and Grand Opening of the Red Lake Training & Conference Centre. Funding was received from the Ontario Aboriginal Economic Development Program for Capital and Business expansion. The Training & Conference Centre offers a facility and Conference Co-ordinator to any individual, business or agency that would like to hold their meeting or mini conference event on a rental or fee for service basis. After three years of operation the Training & Conference appears to be showing rewards for the hard effort of the staff and Board. A mortgage burning ceremony took place on November 5, 2003. A major portion of the funding for this project came from the Ministry of Citizenship through the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres. In kind donations from the local mining community, HRDC and Shooniiyaa Wa – Biidoong projects and fund raising conducted by the Friendship Centre kept the bank financed mortgage manageable. The Friendship Centre currently provides a number of different programs and services; we’re attempted to take a life circle approach to meeting the needs in our community: Canadian Prenatal Nutrition, Community Action Program for Children, Child and Youth Recreation & Social Programming, Youth Employment & Experience, Youth Leadership Development, Youth – High School Scholarship, Sports Funds, Employment Counselling, Poverty Relief Services, Aboriginal Healing & Wellness, Health Outreach Services and Life Long Care, Funeral Liaison, Lunches & Memorial Services. The Centre also acts as the community sponsor to the Red Lake Food Bank. Staff and Board members participate on a number of local initiatives with the intent of improving the quality of life for aboriginal people.
 
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