In 1964 the young people, under the capable direction and leadership of Mr. Xavier Michon, started one of the first Friendship Centres in Canada. In the beginning, they met in church basements and halls, until they were able to rent an old tarpaper shack on the corner of North Cumberland Street and Clavet in what was known as the city of Port Arthur.
This became a “home away from home” for some 500 Native youth, many of them students from far northern isolated communities. Out of necessity, they were sent to Thunder Bay to attend high schools and for most, it was their first time being away from their communities and families. The Native Youth Club became their organization and outlet for activity. The Centre was where they grew to become the leaders of today.
In 1968 the Friendship Centre incorporated under the name “Thunder Bay Indian Youth Friendship Society”. By 1970 the Native population had expanded a great deal and plans were already underway to build a brand new building at the same site. The property had been purchased for one dollar from a sympathetic company and eighteen Native youth began the building’s construction.
In 1972 the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre officially opened the doors of its present building at 401 North Cumberland Street – the first new Friendship Centre facility to be built in Canada. A base was provided for the establishment of core funding and capital programs with the Secretary of State. The Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre became the platform to establish long-term beneficial social and community development projects that addressed the basic needs of the family and demonstrated the contribution of the Friendship Centre to the Native community in meeting these needs.
Over the years a variety of programs were established to meet the increasing demands on its services by the growing number of Native people migrating to Thunder Bay. Regular funding was secured for program assistance and various training programs were geared toward the Native newcomers to urban society, enabling them to “live in two worlds”.
In 1989 the Friendship Centre celebrated their 25th Anniversary. This was a time of celebration and a time to look back on one man’s dream of a special place which Native people could call their own, where they could gather and share common concerns. This was a time to thank the many dedicated people for their hours of sharing, caring and commitment to this organization.
Since this time the centre has concentrated on developing a wide range of community-based and culturally appropriate programs and services to Aboriginal people residing in or migrating to the City of Thunder Bay. These programs and services address the distinct needs of Aboriginal peoples in the areas of justice, health, education, employment and training and relief of poverty. The Centre also participates in community development activities that promote cultural diversity and partnership development with other aboriginal and non-aboriginal agencies.
The following programs are currently being offered:
- Aboriginal Friendship Centre Program (core) started 1972
- Aboriginal Criminal Courtworker program started 1973
- Aboriginal Family Courtworker program started 1985
- Anishnawbe Skills Development program (literacy) started 1986
- Aboriginal Healing & Wellness program (family violence & crisis intervention) started 1995
- Aboriginal Family Support Program (parenting & child development) started 1993
- Aboriginal Alcohol & Drug worker program (assessments, aftercare) started 1993
- Aboriginal Combined criminal/family courtworker program started 1994
- Aboriginal Life Long Care Program (elderly, frail, isolated, at risk) started 1996
- Aboriginal Community Council Program (alternative justice program) started 1997
- Community Support Worker (FAS/FAE) started 2002
- Employment Counsellor (Apatisiwin program) started 2002
- Akwe:go program (guidance/support for non-native adoptive and foster parenting to Aboriginal children, healthy activities, school supports life skills for children FASD) started 2006
- Youth Justice Coordinator (alternative to the court-based system to handle non-violent first time offences committed by youth) started 2007
- Wasa-Nabin (means “to look ahead” in Ojibway) a Youth Programme started 2008
- Gladue started 2009
- Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living started 2009
- Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin (“I am a Kind Man” program) started 2010
- Children’s Wellness Worker started 2011
As our programming expanded, so did the need for more space. In 1999 the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre expanded by adding an addition to the existing building. Accessibility and façade renovations were completed in 2001.
The Centre has always been a supporter of the Regional Food Distribution Association. In order to assist this worthwhile cause, we donated our building at 704 McKenzie Street to them in August 2007. Our Centre still continues to run a monthly Food Bank.
This organization is still in the growing stage and is ever changing in order to meet the needs of this community. In 2014 we celebrated our 50th Anniversary.