Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres--Ontario Friendship Centres

United Native Friendship Centre

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United Native Friendship Centre
P.O. Box 752, 516 Portage Avenue
Fort Frances, ON
P9A-3N1

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Phone: (807) 274-3762
Fax: (807) 274-4110

E-Mail: sheilamcmahon@vianet.ca

- History -
The “Friendship Centre” concept was brought into existence in 1971. After many meetings with the community resources and service clubs, a board of directors was established consisting of professional and business people from within the Fort Frances district as well as the First Nation communities. Official incorporaiton took place in January 1973 and the offical opening of the building occurred in May, 1973. This was the birth of the United Native Friendship in Fort Frances. In January 1991, the Centre moved into a brand new building which is the now the main building and is located at 516 Portage Avenue. In the Fall of 2000, a second building was purchased in order to accommodate the ever-growing programs and staff. Both buildings are within one block of each other are easily accessible to everyone who utilizes the Friendship Centre programs. Since its early beginnings, the Centre has grown from two to sixteen programs which are housed in the two buildings in Fort Frances. Within those 15 current programs are mini-programs and support staff that provide services over and above the mandates of each individual program. The Centre has just received funding for a full-time Head Start Program and an Alternative School. As well funding has been committed to the Centre to deal with the homelessness concern in the community. So in addition to the two buildings we have, we are now looking for another building to house the Head Start Program. We now have twenty-eight members and seven board members. This however, does not reflect the other resources that are vital to the Centre. We have elders who provide the cultural and spiritual teachings and as well many professional resource that give advice and direction to the Centre staff as it is needed. As well we have formed other links to Aboriginal agencies in our community. We have created partnerships with Shooniiyaa Wa Biitoong who is our primary funding source for the GED Program and Gizhewaadiziwin Access Centre. We have representation on their Board of Directors and this process creates excellent communication and a strong networking of services. All of these resources are required so the Centre can maintain the four primary functions of Counselling, Social, Educational and Cultural development that were outlined during the formative years of the Centre. To date the Centre has surpassed a very productive and successful 25th Anniversary. This is are result of a community effort and we look forward to another 25 years of growth and development. Programs: Aboriginal Family Support Program, Aboriginal Youth Support Program, Urban Multipurpose Youth Program, Aboriginal Alcohol & Drug Program, Family Courtworker Program, Aboriginal Employment Program, Aboriginal Youth Justice Program, United Native Friendship Centre LDM, Aboriginal Health & Wellness, Aboriginal Prenatal Nutrition, Aboriginal Prenatal Nutrition, Aboriginal Life Long Care, Literacy Program, Native Criminal Courtworker, Aboriginal Healthy Babies, Head Start Program and GED Preparation Program: New Program Initiatives and Homeless Coalition and Alternative School.