Native Friendship Centre of Montreal
The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal (French: Centre d'amitié autochtone de Montréal) is a Native Friendship Centre for Indigenous people in Montreal.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vpAjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=i6EFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3160,2721428&dq=native-friendship-centre+montreal&hl=en|title= Native centers shunned by Quebec |date=September 13, 1977|work=The Gazette|location=Montreal|accessdate=April 12, 2010}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v5AjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=i6EFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1072,2974925&dq=native-friendship-centre+montreal&hl=en|title=Native people need help (Editorial)|date=September 14, 1977|work=The Gazette|accessdate=April 12, 2010|location=Montreal}}{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/general/2008/11/2008112893135728484.html|title=Street Food - Montreal|date=November 28, 2008|work=Al-Jazeera|accessdate=April 12, 2010}} It opened in 1974 (as a drop-in centre) located on Bishop Street in Montreal.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.nfcm.org |title=Native Friendship Center of Montreal |publisher=Nfcm.org |date= |accessdate=April 12, 2010}} In 1975 it became incorporated and two years later it moved to a location in the Côte-des-Neiges district, before moving to its current location at 2001 Saint Laurent Boulevard in 1995.
At first it did not receive financial support from the province or city, which both argued that Status Indians were a matter of federal jurisdiction. However, many aboriginal people served by the centre do not have status.
In 1987 the Native Woman's Shelter of Montreal was established. In 1990 another social epidemic was addressed with the organization of the first Native AIDS/HIV Conference in Quebec. In 1993, the Urban Aboriginal Economic Development Department was established.
The Native Friendship Centre does not endorse any particular world religious traditions but supports First Nations traditional spiritual practices. As well, visitors may participate if they choose to do so.
Wellness sessions with elders who visit and provide individual guidance, lead healing circles and organize sweat lodges from time to time. Courses on drum making and native arts and crafts are also available. The concept of culture and identity are depicted through the Native American art work displayed in the centre by local artists to keep the focus of their journey through city life. The centre also distributes various newsletters and papers from many communities within the province and throughout Canada{{cite web|url=http://www.nafc.ca/ |title=National Association of Friendship Centres |publisher=Nafc.ca |date= |accessdate=April 12, 2010}} for those who are looking for a connection with their hometown and respective Nations.{{cite web|url=http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2009/06/tuesday-defending-land-native.html |title=No One Is Illegal-MONTRÉAL: Tuesday: Defending the Land! (Native Friendship Center) |publisher=Nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com |date=2006-07-14 |accessdate=April 12, 2010}}
Mission statement
The mission of the Native Friendship Centre of Montreal (NFCM) is to promote, develop and enhance the quality of life of Montreal's Urban Indigenous community. The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal is part of a regional and national initiative that bridges the gap between two cultures.
Current activities
To keep up with the growing demand for various activities among those who frequent the centre whether temporarily or long-term have become diverse and plentiful. These activities are aimed at keeping everyone occupied while visiting or living in the city.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=upcuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rKEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5736,1504031&dq=native-friendship-centre+montreal&hl=en|title=Loneliness: The Christmas crisis that just won't quit|last=Knight|first=Bryan M.|date=December 22, 1977|work=The Gazette |accessdate=April 12, 2010|location=Montreal }}{{cite news|url=http://media.www.mcgilltribune.com/media/storage/paper234/news/2002/10/16/News/Petition.Performances.For.Native.Culture-297802.shtml|title=Petition, performances for Native culture|last=Wolpert|first=Jacob|date=October 16, 2002|work=McGill Tribune|accessdate=April 12, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} There are services such as translation services (from varying aboriginal tongues to English and French) and bilingual web media for a calendar of events.{{cite web|url=http://www.rcaaq.org |title=Réseau Art Actuel |publisher=Rcaaq.org |date= |accessdate=April 12, 2010}}
Social outings such as Laser Quest outings, bowling trips, movie outings give everyone a change in venue. Classes in bead work, arts and crafts, cooking and drum making are a vital tradition to pass down to everyone. Psychological and medical counseling services such as medical transportation arrangement services for those who are not from the area or province. This includes arranging transportation to and from medical appointments or travel terminals. More technical services also provided on certain days of the week including legal services{{cite web |url=http://www.nfcm.org/whatsnew_calendar.htm |title=Calendar - Native Friendship Center of Montreal |publisher=Nfcm.org |accessdate=April 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503233026/http://www.nfcm.org/whatsnew_calendar.htm |archive-date=May 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} for those who may have had an encounter with the law while visiting the areas of Montreal or for those who are new to the area and seek legal counsel for common questions and concerns.
Health workshops activities include the Diabetes Prevention Project, Ka’wahse (Homeless Street Patrol), and Hep C HIV/AIDS Prevention and Outreach Project, and participation in academic studies.{{cite news|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/Homeless+aboriginals+face+health+care+dilemma/2722801/story.html |title=Homeless aboriginals face health-care dilemma |last=Curran |first=Peggy |date=March 25, 2010 |work=The Gazette |accessdate=April 12, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329001814/http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Homeless+aboriginals+face+health+care+dilemma/2722801/story.html |archivedate=March 29, 2010 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.mcgill.ca/amh/|title=Aboriginal Mental Health Research Team (AMHRT)|publisher=McGill University|accessdate=12 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323015238/http://www.mcgill.ca/amh/|archive-date=23 March 2010|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
Job Search Workshops and Life skills Programs{{cite news|url=http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-5084671/Holistic-approach-taken-to-life.html|title=Holistic approach taken to life skills training.|date=May 1, 2005|work= Wind Speaker |accessdate=April 12, 2010}} such as the Job Search and Human Relations or FNHRDCQ/EPOC Training Initiative.
Youth and adult programs on two separate calendars of events such as daily activities and outings.{{cite web |url=http://www.nfcm.org/about_us_bigfamily.htm |title=NFCM - A Big Family |publisher=Native Friendship Center of Montreal (NFCM) |accessdate=April 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223201033/http://www.nfcm.org/about_us_bigfamily.htm |archive-date=February 23, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
Membership{{cite web |url=http://www.nfcm.org/about_us_member.htm |title=You can become a member |publisher=Native Friendship Center of Montreal (NFCM) |accessdate=April 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828183727/http://www.nfcm.org/about_us_member.htm |archive-date=August 28, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} is given upon registration and entitles access to all featured in the facility.
In 1997, it opened a Head Start child care program.{{cite news|url=http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/1997/052997/news4.html|title=A Head Start|date=May 29, 1997|work=Montreal Mirror|accessdate=April 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605192811/http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/1997/052997/news4.html|archive-date=June 5, 2011|url-status=dead}}
Current organizational features
The NFCM employs about 25 staff members{{cite web |url=http://www.nfcm.org/about_us_ourteam.htm |title=Our Team |publisher=Native Friendship Center of Montreal (NFCM) |accessdate=April 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227204623/http://www.nfcm.org/about_us_ourteam.htm |archive-date=February 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} with a full roster of volunteers who are given commendation for their efforts. Funding is mostly obtained by private donations,{{cite web |url=http://www.nfcm.org/pdf_files/donations.pdf |title=On-going Donations Needed |publisher=Native Friendship Center of Montreal |date=July 12, 2004 |accessdate=April 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902101956/http://www.nfcm.org/pdf_files/donations.pdf |archive-date=September 2, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Band and Tribal Councils, Provincial and Federal Funding for Aboriginal Youth Programs, as most of the projects and campaigns are directly funded by the various organizations who welcome them such as the HIV/AIDS initiative as well as solidarity in movements against violence.{{cite web|url=http://netfemmes.cdeacf.ca/documents/resources_victims.ang.pdf|title=Resources available to victims of sexual assault Montreal|publisher=la Table de concertation en matière d’agressions à caractère sexuel de Montréal|accessdate=April 12, 2010}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} The shortage of housing which plagues most First Nations communities has trickled into the Montreal community where those residents are seeking salvation and coming to the Native Friendship Centre for shelter, help and guidance.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/nunavik-housing-crunch-squeezes-inuit-onto-montreal-streets-1.701618 |title=Nunavik housing crunch squeezes Inuit onto Montreal streets |publisher=CBC News - Montreal - |date=2008-05-27 |accessdate=April 12, 2010}} Many especially the Inuit are homeless and much has been done to help them through their hard times.{{cite web |url=http://intraspec.ca/060516.pdf |title=Homeless Inuit in Montreal |first=Nobuhiro |last=Kishigami |date=May 2006 |accessdate=April 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916031730/http://intraspec.ca/060516.pdf |archive-date=September 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
See also
- N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre, Sudbury
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.nfcm.org Official site]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Native Friendship Center Of Montreal}}
Category:Indigenous organizations in Quebec
Category:Non-profit organizations based in Montreal