NAFC Newsletter Spring 2024

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDSHIP CENTRES

NEWSLETTER

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Wachay Misiway, Kwe, Tansi, Tungasugit,

As we continue moving further into the year, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible work of both the NAFC staff and the work of Friendship Centres (FC) and Provincial/Territorial Associations (PTA) that is already happening this year Your unwavering dedication and passion have been the driving force behind our success, and I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.

The NAFC started the year with the Bell Let's Talk campaign where we put the focus on barriers Indigenous people face when trying to access mental health services. Thank you to everyone from the Friendship Centre Movement who took part in the campaign. In February we hosted the Urban Indigenous Social Economy Forum. It was a remarkable gathering where we had the privilege of hosting urban Indigenous social enterprises. The exchange of ideas, the connections made, and the collaborative spirit of the forum were truly inspiring It reaffirmed our commitment to fostering a thriving community that values inclusivity and innovation to help improve the lives of urban Indigenous people

We are looking forward to the months to come with our upcoming Annual Meeting and Youth Forum in July as well as our continued site visits with our member FCs and PTAs to continue learning about the great work being done across the country.

Look forward to seeing many of you in the year to come, and wishing you all a great 2024!

JocelynW.Formsma

URBAN INDIGENOUS SOCIAL ECONOMY FORUM UPDATE

On February 20-21, the NAFC hosted the inaugural Urban Indigenous Social Economy Forum in Ottawa at the Delta Hotel Altogether, the Forum welcomed over 180 guests from across the country to celebrate and highlight the invaluable work of urban Indigenous social economy initiatives.

The Forum brought together key stakeholders to mobilize collective impact and action, acknowledging historical imbalances and empowering urban Indigenous social purpose organizations. The agenda provided opportunities for attendees to explore and learn from urban Indigenous social purpose organizations through workshops, storytelling, knowledge sharing, and networking, aiming to gather a diverse range of actors to promote the unique and diverse needs and realities of urban Indigenous social purpose organizations.

Check out the article from the National Observer highlighting the Forum here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

National Office Is Moving!

The NAFC will be moving into our temporary space at 135 Laurier Avenue West while our office undergoes a much-needed renovation that will help us better accommodate friends and members of the Friendship Centre Movement in the future.

2024 Indspire Awards - April 18, 2024

The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is proud to congratulate our CEO, Jocelyn W Formsma, on the announcement that she has been awarded the 2024 Indspire Public Service Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Indigenous community. This well-deserved honour is a testament to Jocelyn's more than 20 years of dedicated service within the Friendship Centre Movement and her unwavering commitment to the betterment of all aspects of life for Indigenous people

Urban Indigenous Leadership Camp - May 20-24, 2024

Following the success of last year’s Indigenous Youth Leadership Training, we are happy to share that this opportunity will be available again in May 2024 Information regarding more details and registration will be released soon. Last year, this event not only had outcomes like confidence and skill building, but also allowed youth from across the FCM to strengthen their youth networks and connect with one another.

UPCOMING EVENTS

53rd Annual Meeting and 34th Youth Forum

The Regroupement des Centres d’amitié Autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ) will be our host for the 2024 Youth Forum and the Annual Meeting in Quebec City from July 18-23, 2024 at the Hilton Quebec.

34th Youth Forum - July 18-20, 2024

53rd Annual Meeting - July 21-23, 2024

We are looking forward to seeing everyone from the Friendship Centre Movement (FCM) in Quebec City!

For more information about the Annual Meeting and Youth Forum venue and hotel reservation details, please go to our website

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

The NAFC Board of Directors met March 5-6, 2024, in Whistler, BC This two-day meeting started with a half day of regular business followed by a strategic planning session facilitated by Geraldine King for the remainder of the meeting. The Board, Senate, IYC and NAFC managers went through various exercises looking at key performance indicators and had discussions on what does it look like when we are doing our best work? The NAFC will be working on updating the strategic plan based on the feedback from this session and will share when complete

UPDATES FROM THE NAFC COMMUNICATIONS

Bell Let’s Talk

For the second year in a row, Bell Let's Talk has invited the NAFC to be a part of their Bell Let's Talk campaign This year we wanted to focus on Indigenous mental health and the role Friendship Centres play within our communities to improve the well-being of Indigenous people living in urban environments.

Averi Doxtator, NAFC's Indigenous Youth Council President was our spokesperson for the campaign, with members of the Friendship Centre Movement being interviewed about the barriers Indigenous people face when accessing mental health supports A 30 second video was broadcast on television, while a shorter 15-second spot was featured online and on social media Click here to watch the broadcast ad

View our Bell Let’s Talk webpage here.

UPDATES FROM THE NAFC COMMUNICATIONS

Auntie Cares! Vaccination Campaign

The NAFC has continued to promote COVID vaccinations as a way to protect ourselves against COVID-19 as well as the FLU shot to help protect us during the flu season. Through funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada, we have enlisted the help of our Auntie animated character to share up to date information about COVID-19 and FLU vaccines with urban Indigenous peoples across Canada The NAFC understands that vaccinations are a choice, and are wanting to provide urban Indigenous peoples with accurate information to help them make informed choices about vaccinations.

Our views discussed the importance of getting vaccinated, why boosters are a good choice, and some information about RSV vaccinations To view the videos, click here

UPDATES FROM THE NAFC

DATA

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. Visit our website to learn more (Data The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC)).

We are in the planning stages for a Data Gathering in early 2024. During this gathering we hope to identify key indicators that are feasible for our members to collect and that will support NAFC in advocating on behalf of our members If you are interested in being a part of this conversation, please contact us at nafc-data@naf.ca.

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:

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Hiring and supporting data dedicated staff

Developing data expertise in the movement

Championing the value of data collection

Host gatherings of data experts to mature the data strategy

NAFC Data launched the ‘Why We Collect Data’ campaign at the 2nd Annual Urban Indigenous Summit. This included sharing promotional materials highlighting the importance of data collection, providing opportunities for the membership to share their stories, and engaging members on how we can measure community wellness from a Friendship Centre perspective

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 Fourteen Friendship Centres and three PTAs have already joined. The Data Team had a booth at the 2nd Annual Urban Indigenous Summit to share more information about this program.

Contact NAFC Data nafc-data@nafc.ca

NAFC Data Website: Data The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC)

UPDATES FROM THE NAFC

POLICY AND RESEARCH

Urban Indigenous Perspectives End-of-Life Care – Project in coordination with Health Canada

Policy Analyst, Victoria Marchand, is currently engaging with the Friendship Centre Movement across the country as well as supports within the urban Indigenous community within the palliative and end-of-life care scope.

Advancing Indigenous Policy and Practice Conference – NAFC Policy Analyst Victoria Marchand presented on the Urban Indigenous Perspectives End-of-Life Care Project

UPDATES FROM THE NAFC

POLICY AND RESEARCH

Languages and Learning Forum: Exploring First Nations Education and Linguistic Connections

During the last week of February, Justin Sackaney and Omovigho Abiri flew to Calgary to attend AFN’s Languages and Learning Forum: Exploring First Nations Education and Linguistic in-person Forum This forum is dedicated to advancing First Nations lifelong learning and language revitalization through the implementation of agreements and models.

MMIWG2S+ Implementation Plan

Following up the Sharing Circle hosted at the Summit, titled “MMIWG2S+: Envisioning Safe, Secure and Successful Urban Indigenous Communities” , a virtual workshop will be hosted in March 2024 to the contributions from participants by reflecting on the image together and connecting to how we can embody this shared vision.

Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People.

On February 7-8, 2024, the Policy Team provided support to NAFC Youth Executive, Samantha Jack in attending the second Federal-Provincial-Territorial-Indigenous (FPTI) Roundtable with an in-depth discussion on the development of a Red Dress Alert and Calls to Justice 1.7. The purpose of this roundtable is to provide a specific forum to act on Calls for Justice as well as areas of shared roles and responsibilities regarding Missing and Murdered Indigenous, Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+

People

2nd National Emergency Management Forum: Floods, Wildfires, Severe Storms, and Pandemics: Are First Nations Ready?

On March 5-7, Yashi Koopla will be attending AFN's Emergency Management Forum in Gatineau. The Forum will offer discussions, presentations, and updates from First Nations emergency management (EM) practitioners, share successful emergency management initiatives and projects, and offer networking and information-sharing opportunities. The Forum will also include dialogue on issues and challenges with the development of the care and control of culturally relevant emergency management

UPDATES FROM THE NAFC PROGRAMS

The Programs Team at NAFC is excited to share the latest developments in our ongoing efforts to advocate for and secure essential funding for FCs and PTAs to effectively operate and serve their respective communities. The Programs Team oversees various national programs, including the Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples (UPIP), wildfire emergency funding, Indigenous Community Support Fund (ICSF), the Investment Readiness Program (IRP), the Indigenous Languages Program (ILP), Health Navigation, and Mental Health. The NAFC has also secured additional funding for initiatives such as the Community Workforce Development Program and Indian Residential School Commemoration Program and is exploring work in End-of-Life Care.

Community Workforce Development Program

The NAFC is pleased to announce new funding for the Friendship Centre Community Workforce Development Strategy, an initiative funded by the Government of Canada’s Community Workforce Development Program Through this program, the NAFC will distribute approximately $3 6 million to FCs in rural and/or remote areas to pilot community-led workforce planning models to support economic diversification strategies and support inclusive growth

Indigenous Languages Program

The NAFC has received an additional $1 5 million in supplementary funding for the Indigenous Languages Program With the supplementary funds, the NAFC can fund an additional 10 Friendship Centres to start up Indigenous language programs or grow an existing language program, which will bring the total number of funded centres to 33 Applicants who had previously applied and were not funded will be contacted by the NAFC to access these additional funds

Indian Residential School Commemoration Program

The NAFC is pleased to announce new funding for the Indian Residential School Commemoration program, funded by Parks Canada. Through this program, the NAFC will distribute approximately $629,000 to Friendship Centres for Residential School Commemoration projects. This funding will roll out within the coming months and will remain open until the funds are exhausted. Friendship Centres will be able to apply for micro-grants ranging from 5 to 20 thousand to host their own Residential School Commemoration activities.

UPDATES FROM THE NAFC YOUTH

Urban Indigenous Summit: Action for the Next Generations – November 27th-30th 2024

In November, the Indigenous Youth Council (IYC) attended the 2nd Urban Indigenous Summit held in Ottawa, Ontario. The Youth council members took on various roles, from facilitating and moderating workshops to advocating for change during Advocacy Day. IYC attended a meeting with three members of the PMO office where they shared their concerns as Indigenous youth in urban settings, and shared their experiences amongst each other through this experience

At the Summit, Bell Let’s Talk interviewed members of the council to discuss mental health in Indigenous communities. As a result, some council members can be found in the 2024 Bell Let’s Talk campaign.

UPDATES FROM THE NAFC YOUTH

Victoria Marchand (NAFC Policy Analyst), Samantha Jack (Youth Executive), Shelby Provost (VicePresident) and Maddi Burns (British Columbia Representative), delivered a presentation on “The Colours of Friendship: Honouring Spaces for 2S+ & IndigiQueer Inclusivity,” a Gender-Based analysis toolkit that is meant to help start a conversation about 2SLGBTQIA+ and gender diverse members accessing Friendship Centres, supports, and programs.

Inspiration at the Social Economy Forum – February 20th-21st 2024

Following the Urban Indigenous Summit, members of the IYC attended the Social Economy Forum in February, also hosted in Ottawa. This event inspired IYC members to learn more about entrepreneurship and various programs available to them, as well as providing encouragement for self-empowerment.

Youth Engagement Coordinator Workshops

Creating strong connections within our community is important, recently the Youth team have been participating in workshops for Youth Coordinators in the Friendship Centre Movement. These sessions are important to be able to share and discuss best practices and strategies for effective youth engagement, as well as offering ideas on how to start youth councils within their respective Friendship Centres

UPDATES FROM THE NAFC

YOUTH

SAVE THE DATE: 34th Annual Youth Forum - July 18-20, 2024

Mark your calendars! The 34th Annual Youth forum is set to take place in Quebec City, Quebec, with the theme of “All our Relations. ” This year, the executive positions available for the NAFC Indigenous Youth Council are Vice President and Treasurer. If you want to make a difference and gain valuable leadership experience, this is your opportunity

We will soon be releasing our application process for the Nelson Ma er o th a ard This a ard is gifted in his honour to an extraordinary y ngst their xciting ev

Other items

For more updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and opportunities to connect with fellow Indigenous youth, follow us on Instagram @NAFC IYC

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.

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

NAFC

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

JocelynW.Formsma ChiefExecutiveOfficer

VeronicaWemigwans ExecutiveCoordinator

MelMaracle OfficeManager

CailinGerrard Administrative Coordinator

SunindaSharma HRCoordinator

AndrewMacumber SeniorInformation Analyst

NathanielCummings DataAnalyst

JenniferRankin SeniorDirector

ShadyHafez ProgramManager Operations Policy&Research Programs

RobertWalsh FinanceManager

GregMurray FinanceCoordinator

RoseIneme Sr Accountant(Contract)

JohnPaillé SeniorCommunications Coordinator

JessicaHorobetz Communications Coordinator

MeganMcGrath Communications Coordinator

EugehneAdangwa FrenchTranslator

YashiKoopla PolicyAnalyst

VictoriaMarchand PolicyAnalyst

KaraLouttit PolicyAnalyst

DeborahOladele PolicyAnalyst

GaelleMushyirahamwe ResearchCoordinator

JustinSackaney ResearchCoordinator

PaigeKezima ProjectCoordinator

SavannahLaBelle SeniorProgram Coordinator

NatalieCahill ProgramCoordinator

JennaChisholm ProgramCoordinator

RufusJacobs YouthInitiatives Manager Youth

Aurora Ominika-Enosse ProjectCoordinator

OmovighoAbiri ProgramCoordinator

MonidaEang ProjectCoordinator

NohaHelmy ProgramAdministrative Coordinator