WHAT is the St. John's Native Friendship Centre?

We are a non-profit, Community-based agency set in the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador and serving the Aboriginal people of the province. Through our Friendship Centre in downtown St. John's, we promote the social, cultural and economic development of Aboriginal people. We provide a wide range of self-determined programs and services.

WHO does the Friendship Centre serve?

We are a non-partisan organization open to all Aboriginal people. Our clientele includes Inuit, Innu, Kablunangajuit, Metis, and Mi'kmaq people from various parts of Newfoundland and Labrador. We also have serve other Aboriginal clients from other parts of Canada and the United States. Membership in the St. John's Native Friendship Centre Association is open to anyone, regardless of their background. We also serve the citizens of the St. John's region by familiarizing them with the rich Aboriginal cultures in the province. We provide free computer and internet access to all residents in the neighbourhood through the Community Access Program.

WHY have a Native Friendship Centre?

Ours is one of 117 Friendship Centres in Canada. The concept of Friendship Centres developed in the 1950's as more and more Aboriginal people moved into urban areas. It became clear that there was a need for agencies that focused on Aboriginal peoples' needs: housing, employment hospital stays, language interpretation, and cultural maintenance.

The past several decades has shown that Native Friendship Centre is an appropriate, viable, and vibrant way to serve Aboriginal people in urban areas. Ours is one of two centres in the province, the second being the Labrador Friendship Centre located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The St. John's Native Friendship Centre was established in 1983. In 1998 we moved from rented accommodation to our own building at 112 Casey Street. In 2002 we moved to a larger building at 716 Water Street and began construction of a Homeless Shelter, that is now complete. The Shanawdithit Shelter.

WHERE does the Friendship Centre go from here?

We now have a membership of over 200. We provide a range of services from airport transportation to healing circles. We are an expanding organization that recognizes change. Our goals include the completion of a shelter for homeless Aboriginal people in the city, and an expansion of our craft retailing work. Our growing work with arts and crafts will allow us to become more self-sufficient while helping Aboriginal artists, and supplying Aboriginal art to the public.