The Indian Friendship Centre (IFC) in Sault Ste. Marie was incorporated on March 30, 1972, and became a member of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) on February 25, 1973.
Bawating Indigenous Friendship Centre, formally known as Sault Ste. Marie Indian Friendship Centre, has occupied the same building since 1995. With the increase in programs and services for a growing urban population led to the addition of the newly constructed hall on June 16, 2003. Today, the Bawating Indigenous Friendship Centre has four locations in Sault Ste Marie: 122 East Street, 268 Wellington Street W, 376-378 Queen Street, and 188 Kohler Street. All staff full and part-time actively participates on internal committees, while the majority of staff serve on external job-related boards and committees, locally and provincially. As well, some have chosen to volunteer their personal time for other endeavours in the area.
