Founded in 1971, the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) works to support, advocate for, and build the capacity of member Friendship Centres across Ontario.
Emerging from a nationwide, grassroots movement dating back to the 1950s, Friendship Centres are community hubs where Indigenous people living in towns, cities, and urban centres can access culturally based and culturally appropriate programs and services every day.
The OFIFC is governed by a Board of Directors with representatives from member Friendship Centres. The Board of Directors also includes youth representatives from the four geographic regions, two Elders to ensure work is culture-based, and a Senator to support institutional memory.
Miigwetch, Marci, Niá:wen, Merci, Thank you
The Declaration of Mutual Commitment and Friendship is a joint initiative between the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC). Developed through the leadership of municipalities and Friendship Centres, this Declaration is a living document and aims to provide a framework for collaboration between cities and towns and urban Indigenous communities.