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Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres

The Friendship Centre vision is to improve the quality of life for Indigenous people living in an urban environment by supporting self-determined activities which encourage equal access to and participation in Canadian society and which respect Indigenous cultural distinctiveness.

About OFIFC

Urban.Indigenous.Proud: That Old Game La Crosse

Long before Canada became a country, every nation on Turtle Island had its own unique version of a stick-ball game. The most popular one on this continent has always been lacrosse, a game that was gifted to the First Nations by the birds and four-legged animals, and played for centuries as a medicine game.

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Urban.Indigenous.Proud: Places to Gather and Learn

A day in the lives of Indigenous students at N’Swakamok Alternative School, Places to Gather and Learn emphasizes the value and necessity of Indigenous alternative and community spaces. This short follows students as they learn and share their stories, aspirations, obstacles and accomplishments.

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Urban.Indigenous.Proud: Full Circle

Since its inception in 1976, Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre has been a place in which the urban Indigenous community could feel safe, learn and grow. Council Fire uses cultural teachings and creates space to restore Indigenous identity, especially for its youth. At the core of Council Fire’s history and teachings is the drum, which they refer to as “our mother.”
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Urban.Indigenous.Proud: Zaagi'idiwin

This short film offers a snap-shot of life in Fort Frances, Ontario, as some of its community members prepare to gather in a special place that will bond their hearts and minds.

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Urban.Indigenous.Proud: Some Stories

Some Stories follows a group of Indigenous youth from the Nipissing (Nbisiing) region who come together through the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre and explore the importance and impact of stories in their lives.

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Announcements

OFIFC’s statement regarding the tragic death of Heather Winterstein

2022-01-07T11:35:38-05:00

It is with profound sorrow that the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) extends their condolences to the family of Heather Winterstein. Heather passed ....
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An Indigenous lens on the Ontario housing crisis

2022-01-04T10:36:16-05:00

Jennifer Dockstader, Executive Director of the Fort Erie Friendship Centre, spoke with the Toronto star about Ontario’s housing crisis and the associated impacts on indigenous ....
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OFIFC’s Labour Force and Training Strategic Framework (Revised October 2020)

2021-07-15T09:51:14-04:00

The OFIFC has established four strategic goals aimed at increasing urban Indigenous involvement in the labour force. By addressing systemic barriers to education, training and ....
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Friendship Centres

Friendship Centres are not-for-profit and charity corporations that are mandated to serve the needs of urban Indigenous people by providing culturally appropriate services in urban communities.