OFIFC. Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres

Transcription

1 OFIFC Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres

2 FORT SEVERN WINISK RED LAKE 23 FORT ALBANY MOOSONEE KENORA SIOUX LOOKOUT DRYDEN FORT FRANCES 28 1 THUNDER BAY 25 ATIKOKAN KAPUSKASING GERALDTON COCHRANE TIMMINS 0 OFIFC (Toronto) 1 Atikokan Native Friendship Centre 2 Barrie Native Friendship Centre 3 Can Am Indian Friendship Centre of Windsor 4 Council SAULT STE. MARIE 9 SUDBURY 19 NORTH BAY PARRY SOUND OTTAWA 20 MIDLAND OWEN 7 SOUND PETERBOROUGH KINGSTON BARRIE 2 KITCHENER LONDON SARNIA / TORONTO NIAGARA FORT ERIE Fire Native Cultural Centre (Toronto) 5 Dryden Native Friendship Centre 6 Fort HAMILTON 3 Erie Native Friendship Centre 7 Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre (Midland) WINDSOR 8 Hamilton Regional Indian Centre 9 Indian Friendship Centre (S.S.M.) 10 Ininew Friendship Centre (Cochrane) 11 Kapuskasing Friendship Centre 12 M Wikwedong Native Cultural Resource Centre (Owen Sound) 13 N Amerind Friendship Centre (London) 14 Ne Chee Native Friendship Centre (Kenora) 15 Niagara Regional Native Centre 16 Nishnawbe-Gamik NFC (Sioux Lookout) 17 Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre (Peterborough) 18 North Bay Indian Friendship Centre 19 N Swakamok Friendship Centre (Sudbury) 20 Odawa Native Friendship Centre 21 Parry Sound Friendship Centre 22 Peel Aboriginal Network 23 Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre 24 Sarnia-Lambton Native Friendship Centre 25 Thunder Bay Native Friendship Centre 26 Thunderbird Friendship Centre (Geraldton) 27 Timmins Native Friendship Centre 28 United Native Friendship Centre (Fort Frances)

3 The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) In 1971, the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) formed in direct response to the growing needs of Aboriginal people, assisting those who relocated from remote reserve communities to urban centres throughout Ontario. Today, 84% of Aboriginal people in Ontario live offreserve in small towns and large urban city centres, seeking a better life and contributing to the urban landscape. Representing a network of 28 member Friendship Centres in Ontario, the OFIFC is Ontario`s largest off-reserve Aboriginal service delivery structure. Initially, the OFIFC formed to assist First Nations and Métis people in Ontario in the areas of justice and education. Today, the OFIFC continues to improve the quality of life of Aboriginal people by providing valueadded cultural services to all who enter a Friendship Centre seeking a safe and welcoming environment. With a collaborative emphasis on research, policy development, program implementation and evaluation, the OFIFC is positively transforming the lives of Aboriginal people in areas of healthy child and youth development, education achievement, employment and training skills acquisition, housing and homelessness, justice, health and mental health. Over 500 Friendship Centre staff provide services in 28 Friendship Centres and key delivery sites throughout Ontario. All are trained in program outcomes, cultural competency, governance, community engagement, and professional development. Every year, over 120,000 units of service are collectively provided to urban Aboriginal people throughout Ontario, from Atikokan to Windsor. Friendship Centres in Ontario are trusted community hubs for many urban Aboriginal people who increasingly are participating in the evolving dynamic of Canada`s largest province by regaining their culture, dignity and pride.

4 Why Friendship Centres in Ontario lead the way in Urban Aboriginal Community Development and Social Enterprise Friendship Centres provide a place of acceptance and wellbeing for Aboriginal people in 28 communities throughout Ontario. Friendship Centres provide services to First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in urban centers, regardless of status, gender, sexual orientation, origin, age, disability, or marital status. Friendship Centres positively impact the Aboriginal community through strong local identity and customs providing culturally appropriate services covering the full spectrum of the life cycle. Friendship Centres offer teachings that over time assist individuals to overcome trauma caused by residential school experiences, loss of cultural identity, mental health and addictions, foster care inadequacies, conflict with the law, and violence against Aboriginal women and girls. Friendship Centres offer 20 various types of programs for urban Aboriginal children and youth, adults and seniors that are designed, developed and implemented through community driven research, structured policy, and respectful collaboration with numerous government ministries, departments, school boards, health care providers, service agencies and other stakeholders. Friendship Centres are managed independently, allowing for sustainable community engagement and solution based approaches that have the greatest impact at the community level. Friendship Centres work with Aboriginal and non-aboriginal service providers, with all three levels of government, and with other not for profit agencies. For over 45 years, Friendship Centres have been a gathering place for Aboriginal people to convene, share, learn and thrive.

5 Culture Culture defines the individual and strengthens identity. Indigenous cultures contain cultural tools that when made available to those who seek them, add strength and confidence. The OFIFC ensures that policies and procedures affecting urban Aboriginal people who access Friendship Centre services reflect the values of the OFIFC. The OFIFC is committed to sharing knowledge and creating a space for non-aboriginal people to understand Indigenous history, cultures and traditions. Unique to the OFIFC and applauded for its honest portrayal of Indigenous history, OFIFC Aboriginal Cultural Competency Training (ACCT) is creating an opportunity for change in Ontario through a dynamic, contextual learning experience. Last year, over 2,000 people attended ACCT workshops. The teachings provide a better understanding of Indigenous culture and allows for change by utilizing engagement techniques that provide an overall perspective of Aboriginal people. Through critical analysis of contemporary issues it increases cultural competency and explores how organisations and agencies can begin to engage with urban Aboriginal people to provide relevant services. Governance The OFIFC has an ongoing commitment to the development of protocols and governance models to create a notable urban Aboriginal public presence and to drive tangible change through strong relationship building with others. The OFIFC is in its second twenty year strategic plan. Every five years it is reviewed to reflect the changing environment of urban Aboriginal needs giving formal recognition to the strengths and challenges of a growing and diverse urban Aboriginal population. Over the years, the OFIFC has established strong sustained relationships, contributing to solid identifiable presence in political environments where decisions are made that impact urban Aboriginal communities. It will continue with this work directed by the needs of urban Aboriginal people. The OFIFC has a Code of Ethics that it upholds internally and imparts on all participating member Friendship Centres.

6 Leadership and Leadership Development Training has been a central focus of the OFIFC since 1978 and strives to foster effective governance within Friendship Centres and their large co-ordination of staff. To ensure greater transparency, accountability and professionalism, board members and Friendship Centre staff receive training on fiscal responsibility, planned development, research, evaluation and goal setting, while ensuring that culture and language are maintained. Wise practices, cultural teachings, developed service models and volunteer recognition are all part of OFIFC training activities that keep Friendship Centres strong and sustained. Today s youth are the leaders of today. The OFIFC works directly with the OFIFC Aboriginal Youth Council to foster and guide the next generation of Aboriginal people who are demanding a better way of life the good life.

7 As a responsibility to community, the OFIFC promotes the involvement of Aboriginal people in a variety of community agencies, boards, commissions and organisations to promote increased engagement of Aboriginal community members. Self Sufficiency The goal of the OFIFC is to reduce or eliminate reliance on government grants and contributions, breaking the cycle of dependence and arriving at a common definition of self-sufficiency. The OFIFC will continue with ongoing training of boards, staff, and community members on investment opportunities, private sector support, and service contracts with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people. The OFIFC continues to develop innovative strategies for accessing and creating new resources and economic development opportunities, such as the Villages Equity Corporation (VEC), to support Friendship Centres in becoming more than primary social service agencies.

8 Policy

9 The OFIFC has one of the most engaged and dynamic policy units of any not-for-profit in Ontario specializing in urban Aboriginal policy. The long term sustained role and distinct understanding of urban Aboriginal issues has provided the OFIFC with an unprecedented skill in urban Aboriginal policy development and implementation. This insitutional knowledge has developed with time and has helped the lives of many urban Aboriginal people in Ontario. Policy developed by the OFIFC supports work at the community level by influencing the work of partnered policy makers. Strategic and targeted policy recommendations to all levels of government are brought forth by relationship building, design, and known policy practices. Throughout the years, starting in 1978 with Strangers in Our Land, the OFIFC has produced a collection of discussion papers, policy submissions and effective policy framework alternatives that contribute to urban Aboriginal policy in Ontario. All are contemporary and progressive, rooted in Aboriginal culture. Here is a sample of OFIFC policy developments over the years: Strangers in Our Own Land, 1978 The Development of Models for Aboriginal/Native Child and Family Services in the Province of Ontario, 1983 New Directions: Aboriginal Health Policy for Ontario, 1994 Child Hunger and Food Insecurity Among Urban Aboriginal Families, 2003 Undue Trials: Justice Issues Facing Aboriginal Children and Youth A Special Report, 2004 Literacy as a Barrier to Employment: A Literature Review and Discussion Paper Addressing the Literacy Needs of Aboriginal People in Ontario, 2005 Good Mind: OFIFC Mental Health Strategy, 2006 A Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women, 2008 OFIFC Submission to the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario, 2011 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Position Paper, 2013 Aboriginal Mental Health Strategy, 2013 An Aboriginal Children and Youth Strategy for Ontario, 2014

10 Research

11 Aboriginal people posses rich cultures greatly affected over time. With change, and a new shared understanding through knowledge transfer, this culture is at the forefront of strength and real opportunity emerging in Aboriginal communities throughout Canada. OFIFC conducts relevant action based research that tells a unique story and offers real solutions. This knowledge is significant. A strong urban Aboriginal voice is heard in appropriate form using appropriate media and encouraging Aboriginal art forms as educational and economic opportunities. Community-driven research conducted by the OFIFC is grounded by the USAI Research Framework (Utility, Self- Voicing, Access, Inter-relationality) developed by the OFIFC in This research supports the OFIFC s policy development and is informed by community consultations, experiential knowledge and input from those who work at Friendship Centres and those who utilize services. OFIFC research consistently adheres to the strongest national research protocols and guidelines. OFIFC prominent research projects: Bidwewidam Indigenous Masculinities (BIM) (SSHRC) Urban Aboriginal Task Force Phase II: U-ACT (Urban Aboriginal Communities Thrive) Breaking Free Breaking Through: an arts-based Indigenous study to address violence against Aboriginal women Indigenous Knowledge Transfer (SSHRC) Akwe:go Wholistic Longitudinal Study OFIFC partners with some of the foremost academic institutions such as: Sir Wilfrid Laurier University Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Montréal ODENA (Community-university research alliance in Quebec) and the DIALOG Research Network Royal Roads University University of Guelph University of Warsaw, Faculty of Artes Liberales University of Toronto

12 Culture Based Programs and Services

13 Since 1971, the OFIFC has developed programs and services for urban Aboriginal people that cover the entire life cycle, ensuring each program and service adopts a wholistic approach with a specific and positive emphasis on culture. Allowing and supporting the resurgence of culture in the lives of Aboriginal people is a proven tool to shape the road towards living the good life. Children and Youth Aboriginal children and youth are the fastest growing demographic in Canada. However, they are the most vulnerable and require greater attention and care. Culture-based approaches are essential in addressing the multiple and complex challenges faced by Aboriginal children and youth in Ontario. The OFIFC has participated in public policy dialogue regarding issues affecting children and youth for over thirty years. The impact of the OFIFC has been great, creating developmental programs that promote education and services strongly focused on providing the next generation of Aboriginal children with the best start to a prosperous life. Aboriginal Healthy Babies Healthy Children (AHBHC) AHBHC is designed to provide Aboriginal families healthy opportunities for the development of their children (0 6 years of age) through education, family home visiting, service coordination and referrals. Akwe:go The Akwe:go Urban Aboriginal Children s Program aims to improve the quality of life of urban Aboriginal children (ages 7 12 years) through the delivery of appropriate activities and services. *Akwe:go is a Mohawk word meaning everybody or all of us Children s Mental Health Project (CMHP) CMHP provides services and support to children (ages 7 15) and their families that address behavioural and mental health needs. Children Who Witness Violence Program (CWWV) CWWV provides children (ages 7 14 years) who have witnessed violence

14 or currently are witnessing violence (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) with cultural resources, education, knowledge and personal support to return to optimal levels of understanding, reasoning and functioning. The program provides one-on-one counseling, culturebased group sessions, family group workshops, and group interventions for children who have been exposed to violence. Wasa-Nabin Wasa-Nabin is a self-development program for urban Aboriginal at-risk youth ages By accessing the services and supports offered by the Wasa-Nabin program, youth learn goal setting, leadership skills development, and how to make healthy choices, ultimately leading to healthier lifestyles and personal success. *Wasa-Nabin is an Ojibway word meaning to look forward, to look beyond

15 Education Every time an Aboriginal youth graduates from school their chance of succeeding in life increases exponentially. The OFIFC has successfully established the Alternative Secondary School Program (ASSP) in 11 Friendship Centres in Ontario where approximately 1,000 urban Aboriginal students attend school with success. Based on the principle that every student is unique, the ASSP is geared to meet high school students individual needs to increase their chance of staying in school and graduating. ASSP classrooms offer teacher-led and independent learning credits and work with students to build on their strengths and support them where they are in life. ASSPs are innovative, locally developed programs that assist urban Aboriginal students in personalizing their learning so that they can achieve their goals, including graduating with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. With the aim to build strategic community relations that have lasting impact, Friendship Centres partner with local district school boards to offer high school curriculum, cultural supports, life skills and other services as required, and connect students to the Friendship Centre and the urban Aboriginal community. Unique to the OFIFC, the Aboriginal Community Development College Certificate (ACDCC) delivers 20 courses to approximately 300 students per session in the area of Friendship Centre Training and Support. In 2015, the first certificates will be awarded to graduates who receive Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Lateral Violence Training, Water Teachings, Financial Literacy Training, Board Orientation, Executive Director Orientation and Strategic Planning.

16 Employment and Training The OFIFC provides Friendship Centres with the tools and resources to develop, maintain and expand partnerships aimed at providing employment and training opportunities for Friendship Centre community members. To enhance and focus on success in this area Friendship Centres deliver the Apatisiwin Program, a culturally relevant and locally driven suite of employment readiness programs and services designed to provide opportunities for urban Aboriginal people to better their employment prospects. Since its inception in 2010, approximately 3,000 people have been employed through Apatisiwin interventions. Apatisiwin remains the largest network of employment and training services for the urban Aboriginal population in 24 communities and provides over 20,000 points of service in the course of a year. *Apatisiwin is a Swampy Cree word meaning Employment, Training and Jobs.*

17 Healing and Wellness The OFIFC promotes a traditional, wholistic approach to health based on knowledge gathered from Elders, shared in communities and passed along to the individual for strength and longevity. Good health is based not only on physical health but also encompasses the spiritual, emotional and mental health of the individual, family, and community throughout all stages of life. Friendship Centres provide a wide range of services such as crisis intervention; talking circles; education, prevention and promotion workshops; cultural teachings; and peer counselling services. Healing and Wellness Program Healing and Wellness programs are located throughout Ontario at 28 Friendship Centres and 1 Delivery Site. Healing and Wellness Coordinators seek to reduce family violence, promote healthy lifestyles and provide culturebased programming and healing. Health Outreach Program (HOW) Health Outreach Programs are located throughout Ontario at 11 Friendship Centres and are located in areas that do not have Aboriginal Health Access

18 Centres. Health Outreach Workers ensure that the health needs of community members are addressed in a cultural and wholistic way that considers the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of individuals. Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) The OFIFC works with communities to gain access to funding to deliver services using a Housing First approach. Friendship Centres facilitate housing for Aboriginal people who experience chronic and episodic homelessness and provide supportive services to other homeless and at-risk of becoming homeless Aboriginal people. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Program As part of the Akwe:go program, Friendship Centres provide tutoring, mentoring, supervised physical activities and incorporates a parent support component to children diagnosed with FASD. Life Long Care Program The OFIFC Life Long Care Program provides over 112,000 units of service to Aboriginal seniors such as meals, transportation to scheduled appointments, and extra-curricular healthy living activities. Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living Program The Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living program promotes and supports healthier living by creating opportunities for community members to learn about healthy lifestyles and participate in activities that better their wellbeing. Health and Mental Health Throughout the years, the OFIFC has worked to provide services to urban Aboriginal people weaving through a complex health system that in the past has failed to provide culturally appropriate care to Aboriginal people. In 2008, the OFIFC launched Our Health Counts, a baseline population health database for urban Aboriginal people in Ontario. Our Health Counts intends to work with provincial urban First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to adapt Ontario s health information collection system. Its aim is to provide accessible, useful and culturally relevant urban Aboriginal population health data to local, regional, provincial and federal policy makers. Today, the OFIFC works closely with provincial health authorities on important Aboriginal health issues

19 such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, nutrition, physical activity and mental health. The recent Relationship Protocol with Cancer Care Ontario reflects this new engaged dynamic in health care delivery. In August 2013, the OFIFC released its Aboriginal Mental Health Strategy. The document provides an overview of the history, issues, and needs related to intergenerational trauma and mental health in the urban Aboriginal community and employs a culturallydriven approach to address these issues. Aboriginal Addictions and Mental Health Programs Addictions and Mental Health programs offer a cultural space for individuals with mental health and addictions issues. There are 16 addictions and mental health workers in Friendship Centres where individuals of all ages can access programs. The program also works to make better connections between urban Aboriginal communities and non- Aboriginal health services. This is done by educating non-aboriginal staff about the specific needs of Aboriginal people and creating partnerships to connect with the Friendship Centre. On average, over 890 people a year utilize the services of Friendships Centres in this area.

20 Ending Violence Against Aboriginal Women and Girls Aboriginal women are seven times more likely to be a victim of violence. The role of the OFIFC and its leadership in this area is marked with 30 years of identifying the needs of communities. Moving this issue towards measured strategic results through a strong policy framework has taken time. Since 2007, the OFIFC has worked collaboratively with the Ontario Government and other Aboriginal organizations to develop the Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women. In a leadership capacity, the OFIFC has created the Kanawayhitowin Education and Public Awareness campaign. Kanawayhitowin: Taking Care of Each Other s Spirit Kanawayhitowin is a public awareness and education campaign to raise awareness about the signs of gender abuse in communities. It is targeted at those who are abused, those who are close to an at-risk woman or abusive man, and to young women and girls as a preventative measure. The program offers support and information on

21 Kanawayhitowin connects with Kizhaay Anishnaabe Niin (I Am a Kind Man) to provide traditional and cultural support to men to prevent and end violence against Aboriginal women. ending violence. This campaign has been adapted from the Neighbours, Friends and Family initiative in the province of Ontario and reflects a traditional and cultural approach to community healing and wellness. By incorporating a wholistic framework that engages and supports all family members, this initiative informs and educates participants on the historical and root causes of violence against Aboriginal women. It identifies supportive strategies to address issues of gender abuse, family violence, sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking, cyber bullying and impacts on child witnesses of violence. Since 2008, the OFIFC successfully provided training on recognizing and responding to the signs of woman abuse to a total of 2,468 people. Of these, 922 front line workers were trained as facilitators and 1,536 were community participants. Both men and women were provided the training with men representing approximately 10% of the total number of participants. Kizhaay Anishnaabe Niin (I Am a Kind Man) Kizhaay Anishnaabe Niin is a culturally relevant initiative to encourage and challenge Aboriginal men and boys to actively speak out against all forms of violence against women and foster healthy relationships. Kizhaay programming and the Healthy Indigenous Male (HIM) curriculum is increasingly being recognized as an equivalent to Partner Assault Response (PARS). The program involves a 12 to 24 week curriculum that reflects on intergenerational trauma and addresses issues of violence by changing participants attitudes and behaviours toward women and by increasing men s self-awareness. It assists participants to develop healthy strategies and skills to deal with their anger and stressful situations.

22 Justice Since 1985, Aboriginal Courtworkers have worked in Friendship Centres and are an integral aspect of a changing justice system. They support clients in navigating the justice system, attend court with clients, draft bail plans, advocate for the application of Gladue Principles and liaise with Duty Counsel and Crown Attorneys. Courtworkers advocate on behalf of those who otherwise cannot pay for representation. They also provide referrals for housing, employment, mental health and addictions programs to foster the path to healing. There are 19 Friendship Centres and 33 Courtworkers, that participate in the Aboriginal Courtworker Program. Of these Courtworkers, 16 work in Criminal law, five work in Family law, and 12 work combined in both. Aboriginal Community Justice Coordinators (ACJC) develop, implement, administer and maintain culturally based pre and post charge diversion programs for Aboriginal youth, adults and families who come into conflict with the law. They provide meaningful alternatives which address the needs of victims where applicable. Currently, five Friendship Centres employ ACJCs.

23 The Gladue Writer produces reports that address the systemic factors which often play a part in bringing the specific offender before the courts; and to highlight the types of sentencing approaches that might be appropriate to the offender because of his or her Aboriginal heritage. Family Courtworkers assist Aboriginal youth involved in the criminal justice system, separating couples involved in family court, and Aboriginal families dealing with child welfare matters to navigate the court process. Combined Courtworkers do both the work of a Criminal and Family Courtworker and are directed by the needs of the community. The objectives of the program are to: reduce the sense of alienation experienced by Aboriginal people and to bridge the cultural gaps between Aboriginal people and the justice system; to assist Aboriginal people to understand their right to speak on their own behalf or request legal counsel, to better understand the nature of their charges and the philosophy of the justice system; and to enhance the awareness of the administration of justice to appreciate the values and socioeconomic conditions of Aboriginal people and to respond to the needs caused by communication barriers between Aboriginal people and those involved in the administration of justice. As well as providing direct justice services in the community, the OFIFC serves as expert contributors to justice initiatives. In 2014, the OFIFC made formal presentations to the panel on Debwewin: First Nations Representation on Ontario Juries and the Iacobucci Report Implementation Committee and to Legal Aid Ontario.

24 Partnerships and Collaborations

25 As a respected and trusted partner on numerous collaborations, the OFIFC is leading the way in measured outcome initiatives. By engaging urban Aboriginal people in solution based priorities that adhere to the objectives of all involved, real results are produced. Provincial Partnerships Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs Ministry of the Attorney General Ministry of Children and Youth Services Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Ministry of Community and Social Services Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy Ministry of Education Aboriginal Education Office Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association Ontario Trillium Foundation Ontario Women s Directorate Toronto Central Local Health Integrated Network Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network Federal Partnerships Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Department of Justice Employment and Social Development Canada Public Health Agency of Canada Social Sciences and Humanities Rese arch Council of Canada Provincial Agreements Cancer Care Ontario Chiefs of Ontario Independent First Nations Métis Nation of Ontario Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association Ontario Native Women s Association One Match Collaborators FASD ONE: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Ontario Network of Expertise

26 Collaborators (cont d) Human Rights Legal Support Centre Jane Goodall Institute of Canada Journalists for Human Rights Kidsport Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Native Youth Sexual Health Network Right to Play

27 Photo Credits 1. Cover page credit, Stan Williams 2. Elder Richard Assinewai at Nurture the Fire OFIFC Urban Aboriginal Youth Forum, March OFIFC AGM, Sault Ste. Marie, July Walking the Red Road, our community s journey to help each person live a good life, Urban Aboriginal Communities Thrive Project, North Bay Indian Friendship Centre, June Strangers in Our Own Land, a discussion paper prepared for Ontario Minister of Culture and Recreation, Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres*, May 1, Photo credit, Stan Williams 7. Kiskinohamatowin, Alternative Secondary School Program (ASSP), Timmins Native Friendship Centre 8. OFIFC Board Training, February OFIFC Aboriginal Youth Council governance training, February OFIFC Aboriginal Youth Sacred Water Teachings Workshop, Lake Couchiching, October website homepage 12. Men s Drum Group 13. Dr. Jane Goodall with OFIFC staff, September 12, Mural on the side of the wall at OFIFC, 219 Front Street East, Toronto *In 2014, the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres changed its name to the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres to respond to its members and the community who preferred to be represented with a more respectful term. For more information contact: The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres 219 Front Street Toronto, Ontario M5A 1E8 (416)

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