The Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre (TBIFC) is one of the “original six” Friendship Centres in Ontario, founded in 1964 and incorporated on February 15, 1968 as the Thunder Bay Indian Youth Friendship Society. The centre was also one of the founding members of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) which was incorporated 1971.
In response to an increasing number of Native people migrating to Thunder Bay, the Friendship Centre was established. With a constantly increasing demand for its services, the Friendship Centre soon outgrew its original building and in 1972, after several years of seeking government and community support, a new Centre was constructed on the original property. Today, the Centre operates with a Board of Directors and employs a large staff to maintain its programs and services.
The Friendship Centre is called upon to participate in consultations with various levels of governments, other social service agencies and specific interest groups (i.e. Rising Aboriginal Voices Youth Forum, Municipal Aboriginal Leadership Gathering, Aboriginal Liaison Strategy – Canadian Paraplegic Association (Ontario), United Way Community Discussion, Regional Discussions – Ministry of Child and Youth Services, and Quality Palliative Care in Long-Term Care Alliance specifically in relation to Aboriginal seniors).
