NAFC's Fall Newsletter 2023

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDSHIP CENTRES

NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2023

FALL ISSUE

CONTENTS Message from the CEO Annual Meeting Update Youth Forum Update Upcoming Events Updates from the NAFC Communications Data Programs Youth Urban Indigenous Summit: Action for the Next Generation Advocacy Day Spirits of Friendship Submit your Photos NAFC Organizational Structure

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MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Wachay Misiway, Kwe, Tansi, Tungasugit, I trust that you had the opportunity to enjoy a happy and rejuvenating summer, finding time to recharge your spirits. It is in these moments of relaxation and reflection that we can gather the energy needed to drive the Friendship Centre Movement forward.

I am thrilled to share that our recent Annual Meeting and Youth Forum were nothing short of extraordinary, with attendance records that we have not seen since before the pandemic. Our Annual Meeting saw approximately 600 participants and our Youth Forum had approximately 140 participants, both made up of delegates, youth, community members, vendors, and partners coming together to engage in meaningful discussions and shape the future of our organization. I am excited to see the dedication our movement has in fostering the next generation of leaders. Thank you to everyone who attended, and I look forward to next year's Annual Meeting in Quebec City.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the significant challenges faced by our Friendship Centres and communities due to wildfires and flooding in various regions across the country. Your swift and compassionate response to the calls for help exemplifies the spirit of unity and resilience that defines our movement.

As we approach the end of the year, I want to highlight the upcoming Urban Indigenous Summit, scheduled for November 27-29, and Advocacy Day on November 30 in Ottawa. These events will provide us with invaluable opportunities to connect, collaborate, and advocate for the causes we hold dear.

Thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to the Friendship Centre Movement.

Wishing you all a wonderful Fall!

Jocelyn W. Formsma CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 4

ANNUAL MEETING UPDATE

The 52nd Annual Meeting was held July 16-18, 2023, and was our largest gathering in several years.

Together we discussed issues relating to the Friendship Centre Movement including core funding, as well as passing 6 resolutions which include: Resolution #2023-07-01 – NAFC to consider and address climate change Resolution #2023-07-02 – Declaration of Strength and Unity Resolution #2023-07-03 – NAFC National Emergency Response Funding Resolution #2023-07-04 – NAFC Bylaws Youth Age Resolution #2023-07-05 – Creation of National Friendship Centre Urban Indigenous Youth Scholarship Resolution #2023-07-06 – Funding renewal engagement for UPIP or an alternative We are also happy to announce the re-election of Kelly Benning and Edith Cloutier as President and Secretary, and the election of Samantha Jack as Youth Executive.

Our Executive Committee consists of: Kelly Benning, President Pam Glode-Desrochers, Vice President Laurie Bouvier, Treasurer Edith Cloutier, Secretary Samantha Jack, Youth Executive

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ANNUAL MEETING UPDATE We would also like to welcome Tanya Andre, Joanna Ahenakew, and Stacey Howse to our Board of Directors.

Our Board of Directors consists of: Tanya Andre, Yukon Joanna Ahenakew, Northwest Territories/Nunavut Cyndi Stevens, British Columbia Bob Oshanyk, Alberta Myra Malboeuf, Saskatchewan Jack Park, Manitoba Jennifer Brazeau, Québec Patsy McKinney, New Brunswick Cheyenne Labrador, Nova Scotia Stacey Howse, Newfoundland & Labrador At this year’s Annual Meeting we announced our 2023 award recipients: Nelson Mayer Youth Award – Shiloh Prosser, Bonnyville Canadian Friendship Centre Grooviest Delegate – Abbie Crook, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Council of Friendship Centres Most Active Youth – Sarah Shuttleworth, Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres Congratulations to our winners!!!! Thank you for all the amazing work you do and for being a part of the Friendship Centre Movement!

Our Annual Youth Auction at the Annual Meeting raised approximately $9,800!! Thank you to everyone who donated items, and to those whose bids helped us raise money for the Indigenous Youth Council.

Thank you once again to everyone who attended our Annual Meeting and Youth Forum and thank you to everyone that helped make these events happen!

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YOUTH FORUM UPDATE

The 33rd Annual National Youth Forum was held on Treaty 6 Territory, and the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4 in Enoch, Alberta. Our theme this year was “Sowing Seeds: Rooted and Growing Our Futures Together.” The event welcomed Indigenous youth from across the Friendship Centre Movement to discuss topics including youth wellbeing and connection, advocacy, self-expression, and honoring culture to guide our futures. Through impactful speakers, interactive panel discussion, and diverse workshops, the Youth Forum highlighted relevant and insightful ways to connect, reflect, and grow.

The Youth Forum was emceed by the wonderful RaeAnne Harper, and Talon Fire Bird.

Our speakers included: Michael Redhead Champagne Raylene Whitford Dr. Alika Lafontaine Mallory Yawnghwe Shelby Provost – Panel Moderator Scott Wabano

A big thank you to our workshop facilitators: Linda Boudreau-Semaganis – Medicine Pouch Making Amanda Steinhauer – Make Up Jo Swampy – Tipi Teachings & Hair Teachings John Paillé – Professional Headshots Sarah Shuttleworth – Jigging Alex De Pape & Brynn Stephanson – Elections Canada AGLC & Game Sense 7

YOUTH FORUM UPDATE

Left to Right: Jocelyn Formsma (NAFC Chief Executive Officer), Mallory Yawnghwe (Founder of Indigenous Box), Shelby Provost (Indigenous Youth Council Vice-President), Raylene Whitford (Founder of INDIGI-X & Global Industry Leader), Taryn Dachuk (Alberta Youth Representative) & Dr. Alika Lafontaine (First Indigenous President of the Canadian Medical Association & Award-Winning Physician) 8

YOUTH FORUM UPDATE

New NAFC Indigenous Youth Council (IYC) Members Averi Doxtator, President Native Canadian Centre of Toronto

Melanie Nasson, Atlantic Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre

Shelby Provost, Vice President Napi Friendship Centre

Madeline Burns, British Columbia Victoria Native Friendship Centre

Taigan Alfred, Secretary Vancouver Friendship Centre

Ashton Francoeur, Manitoba Flin Flon Friendship Centre

Eli Stewart, Treasurer Saskatoon Indian Metis Friendship Centre

Zackery McNab, Northern Northwest Territories/Nunavut Council of Friendship Centres

Samantha Jack, Youth Executive Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association Savannah Snow, Alberta Red Deer Native Friendship Society

Anyssa Ford, Ontario Native Canadian Centre of Toronto Derykah Friesen, Saskatchewan Kikinahk Friendship Centre 9

YOUTH FORUM UPDATE

Left to Right (top): Anyssa, Shelby, Averi, Taigan, Eli, (bottom): Melanie, Madeline, Taryn, Zack

This year, the Nelson Mayer Youth Recognition Award has been awarded to Shiloh Prosser, from Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre, in Bonnyville, Alberta. Shiloh demonstrates strong advocacy and leadership skills through her ongoing involvement with the Bonnyville Friendship Centre’s Human Trafficking Prevention Board, is the Youth Council President, and is the Youth Director for the Friendship Centre Board. Shiloh is actively pursuing an education in Forensic Psychology and leads by example by encouraging others to use their voice to stand up for what they believe in.

Congratulations Shiloh!

The Most Active Youth Award has been awarded to Sarah Shuttleworth, past IYC Secretary, for her outstanding contributions to the NAFC Indigenous Youth Council and at the Annual Youth Forum.

Sarah’s initiative and commitment to the Friendship Centre Movement has not gone unnoticed. Best of luck in all your future endeavors!

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UPCOMING EVENTS

URBAN INDIGENOUS SUMMIT NOVEMBER 27-29 OTTAWA, ON

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ADVOCACY DAY

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NOVEMBER 30 OTTAWA, ON

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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UPDATES FROM THE NAFC

COMMUNICATIONS The NAFC is happy to welcome Jessica Horobetz to the team. Jessica is joining us as a Communications Coordinator.

This fall, the NAFC will continue its efforts to ensure our communities are educated about vaccines for respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu. Our Take Action in COVID campaign which ended in the spring will be followed by our Auntie Cares! Campaign featuring Auntie providing current, medically sourced, and culturally relevant information about COVID-19.

DATA NAFC’S DATA STRATEGY A data strategy provides shared values and a common vision that guide data-related decisions. It outlines actions that will bring us from where we are now to becoming urban Indigenous information leaders.

We are in the final stages of publishing a report on the January engagement in Edmonton. This engagement identified several priority areas for the movement. We completed a crosswalk analysis to assessment how well NAFC’s 10-year strategy aligns with those priorities. This offers a valuable method for ensuring the work we do is relevant to the members we serve.

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UPDATES FROM THE NAFC DATA COMMUNITY LED DATA COLLECTION Community Led Data Collection aims to build data capacity and expertise in the Friendship Centre Movement to ensure that urban Indigenous communities can share their stories and to support the calls to action of the TRC, UNDRIP and MMIWG2S+. NAFC has identified four priority areas in which to build data capacity: 1. Hiring and supporting data dedicated staff 2. Developing data expertise in the movement 3. Championing the value of data collection 4. Hosting gatherings of data experts to mature the data strategy NAFC Data will be launching the ‘Why We Collect Data’ campaign at the 2nd Annual Urban Indigenous Summit. This will include promotional materials highlighting the importance of data collection, providing opportunities for the membership to share their stories, hosting webinars on data topics and connecting the membership to training opportunities. Stay tuned!

BRIDGING ACROSS CANADA The Bridging Across Canada database application is designed by and for Friendship Centres. It empowers Friendship Centres to collect disaggregated data about their service offerings, centralizes data management, automates statistical reports and so much more. Currently, seven Friendship Centres are using the database application. Two PTAs and NAFC are developing Regional and National roll-up functionality. If you’re interested, please reach out.

Links Contact Us – NAFC Data (nafc-data@nafc.ca) NAFC Data Website - Data — The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC)

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UPDATES FROM THE NAFC PROGRAMS INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES PROGRAM The Indigenous Languages Program for the revitalization and maintenance of Indigenous languages and culture opened applications on June 16, 2023, and closed on June 30, 2023. The program is funded by Heritage Canada with $3,750,000 for program delivery and received 34 applications from Friendship Centres from all 8 regions, with a total ask of $5,756,040. There were a lot of exciting program plans for the delivery of a variety of Indigenous languages and after several review sessions, applications were selected based on regional parity. 23 Friendship Centres will be funded with a total of $3,749,454 and funding letters from the NAFC should be received by Centres on or before August 30, 2023.

The NAFC Programs team has reached out to Heritage Canada for supplementary funds to support other programs that had to be rejected due to a lack of funds and we are awaiting a response on that request. If supplementary funds are received, more centres will be funded to carry out Indigenous language programs.

TRAUMA-INFORMED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PROGRAM Funded by Indigenous Services Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Mental Health Program supports FCs in expanding their capacity to provide trauma-informed mental health and cultural support services. The goals of the program are to support pre-existing mental health initiatives, increase programming and capacity at FCs, and address mental health concerns and promote mental wellness for all Indigenous peoples. FCs/PTAs were invited to apply from July 1028, 2023, and the application period for this program has now closed. The NAFC received over 40 applications from all regions for new and existing trauma-informed mental health programming and support services. The NAFC expects to distribute approximately $9.2 million dollars to all regions, with specific allocations going to the PTAs in Alberta and Saskatchewan for the FCs in their region.

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UPDATES FROM THE NAFC PROGRAMS HEALTH NAVIGATION PROGRAM The NAFC was awarded 2.5 million for the Health Navigation Program. The purpose of this funding is to help support pilot projects working to eradicate anti-Indigenous racism in health care. This funding is being used to create positions in health navigation or upscale existing projects and positions for health navigation. Through the Friendship Centre Movement, we intend for the program to help increase the safety and accessibility of health services, facilitate equitable access to healthcare services for Indigenous people, and ensure that Indigenous people can access hospitals and healthcare systems in a culturally safe manner. This funding was allocated on a proposal basis. We have funded 24 Friendship Centres across the country and hope to use data and success stories from these pilot projects to advocate for further funding in the field of health navigation.

YOUTH YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAIN THE TRAINER On April 24-29, 2023, the NAFC hosted the first ‘Train the Trainer’ at Camp Des Voyageurs Tim Horton in Quyon, QC. The training brought 18 facilitators from FCs/PTAs who helped workshop the Urban Indigenous Youth Leadership Curriculum.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING – COHORT 1 Facilitators from the ‘Train the Trainer’ delivered the curriculum based on the modules of their choice, to the first cohort of youth participants at the NAFC’s Indigenous Youth Leadership Training at the same camp on May 15-19, 2023. Key outcomes from these events included: confidence and skills building, making new friends, teamwork, and built excitement for the following 2023 Youth Forum.

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URBAN INDIGENOUS SUMMIT: ACTION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION We are delighted to announce the 2nd Annual Urban Indigenous Summit, scheduled to take place from November 27th to 29th in Ottawa, On. This summit is a remarkable occasion that unites the Friendship Centre Movement, our esteemed partners, and various other urban Indigenous organizations. Together, we will engage in a dynamic exchange of knowledge, capacity building, and collaborative action planning. The summit serves as an opportunity for sharing the outstanding work achieved in our communities, offering a chance to celebrate successes, learn from one another, and forge pathways towards a brighter future. Join us in this transformative event, as we come together to strengthen the bonds of our urban Indigenous network and drive positive change. Save the dates and be a part of this inspiring journey!

REGISTER NOW

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ADVOCACY DAY We are thrilled to announce that following the resounding success of our Advocacy Day last year, we will be hosting our 2nd Advocacy Day on November 30th following our Urban Indigenous Summit. Advocacy Day offers our member Friendship Centres a unique platform to engage directly with their respective Members of Parliament. It's an invaluable opportunity to discuss pressing issues, share success stories, explore potential opportunities, and, most importantly, advocate for the support that our communities and centres deserve. We believe that real change begins with open and informed dialogue, and Advocacy Day is the perfect forum to facilitate these vital conversations. Mark your calendars, and let's make our voices heard on November 30th!

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SPIRITS OF FRIENDSHIP The Friendship Centre Movement has been shaped over a period of 60 years by Indigenous leaders in communities across Canada. These dedicated Indigenous people have greatly contributed to the success and growth of today’s Friendship Centre Movement. To view the stories of Friendship Centre trailblazers, or our Spirits of Friendship, click here. We are honoured to have known them and privileged to have worked with them and to be a part of their legacy.

If you think someone should be added to this list, please send an e-mail to communications@nafc.ca with a short bio, specifically detailing their involvement in the Friendship Centre Movement and any photos you would like included.

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SUBMIT PHOTOS AND NEWS ARTICLES TO THE NAFC If you would like to submit any photos or news articles about your Friendship Centre that we can share with the Friendship Centre Movement, please send them to communications@nafc.ca.

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NAFC ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Jocelyn W. Formsma

Veronica Wemigwans

Chief Executive Officer

Executive Coordinator

Operations

Policy & Research

Programs

Mel Maracle

Jennifer Rankin

Matthew Prime

Jonathon Potskin

Shady Hafez

Office Manager

Senior Director

Finance Manager

Policy & Research Manager

Program Manager

Monica Clayton

Greg Murray

Whitney Knott

Savannah LaBelle

Administrative Coordinator

Finance Coordinator

Senior Policy Analyst

Senior Program Coordinator

Cailin Gerrard

Boris Kravic

Yashi Koopla

Natalie Cahill

Administrative Coordinator

Finance Coordinator

Policy Analyst

Program Coordinator

Andrew Macumber

Leah Prisque

John Paillé

Victoria Marchand

Jenna Chisholm

Senior Information Analyst

Project Coordinator

Senior Communications Coordinator

Policy Analyst

Program Coordinator

Nathaniel Cummings

Aurora OminikaEnosse

Jessica Horobetz

Gaelle Mushyirahamwe

Omovigho Abiri

Communications Coordinator

Research Coordinator

Program Coordinator

Suninda Sharma

Eugehne Adangwe

Justin Sackaney

Monida Eang

HR Coordinator

French Translator

Research Coordinator

Project Coordinator

Data Analyst

Project Coordinator

Paige Kezima Project Coordinator