Our Programs

Aboriginal Alcohol / Drug Worker Program

Designed to assist urban aboriginal people who may experience problems associated with alcohol or drug abuse.

Indigenous Community Council Program

An opportunity for Indigenous accused persons to assume responsibility for their actions and behavior that lead them to become in conflict with the law and be a part of repairing harm, while participating in developing self-healing plans.

Aboriginal Family Support Program

The Aboriginal Family Support Program is a Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) program, a community-based children’s program delivered by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Indigenous Healing And Wellness

The Aboriginal Healing and Wellness strategy was set forth to promote growth and healing for Aboriginal People via Aboriginal specific services. The mandate of the strategy is to reduce family violence, promote healthy lifestyles and deliver culture based programs and services to promote holistic healing.

Akwe:go

This program has been specifically designed to provide a comprehensive program to urban Aboriginal children between the ages of 7-12.

Anishnawbe Skills Development Program

The Anishnawbe Skills Development Program is a free basic upgrading program in Mathematics and English for individuals aged 18 and over.

Apatisiwin Employment Program

The vision of the Apatisiwin Program is that Aboriginal people gain education, experience, and skills to achieve and maintain meaningful employment.

Children’s Wellness Program

Targeting high-risk youth aged 7-15. The purpose is to decrease drug/alcohol abuse and to address mental health issues that may be a result of family violence.

Community Support Program

The Community Support Worker program provides culturally appropriate holistic prevention and intervention support to urban Indigenous individuals and families impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Indigenous Courtworker Program

Assists Indigenous people who are navigating through the justice system in the areas of Criminal, Family and Child Welfare matters in local Thunder Bay, Armstrong and Nipigon courts. Assistance is also provided to those appearing in local Municipal court upon request.

Cultural Resource Coordinator

As part of a key component of Walking Together - Ontario’s Long Term Strategy to End Violence Against Indigenous Women, the Cultural Resource Coordinator Program is designed to provide cultural and traditional supports and services for Indigenous children, youth, and families.

Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy

The HPS seeks to address homelessness by working in partnership with communities, provinces and territories, other federal departments and the private and not-for-profit sectors.

Indigenous Peoples’ Court Caseworker

This is a specialized court with a focus on healing which is in line with Gladue Principals. It’s an opportunity for Indigenous accused to address their charge(s) holistically and which includes participation by those impacted by the actions/behaviour of the accused.

Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin Program

The Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin program translates in English to “I am a Kind Man”. The programs goal is to encourage men to speak out and end all forms of violence toward women and to foster healthy relationships.

Life Long Care Program

The life Long Care Program intends to improve the quality of life and living conditions for all Aboriginal people who require Life Long Care.

The Gladue Services Program (Writer and Aftercare)

Gladue Services Worker (Writer) – Prepares Gladue reports for Indigenous accused persons who are looking at doing six months or more of incarceration upon sentencing.
Gladue Services Aftercare Worker – provides supportive services to Indigenous accused persons during the preparation of a Gladue Report, at sentencing, and those following release from custody.

Indigenous Healthy Living Program

This program is taking major strides to help community members to increase their physical activity levels and their cardio-vascular health; to become smoke-free; to increase their knowledge of nutrition, healthy eating practices and weight management; and, to enhance the leadership ability of our youth.

Wasa-Nabin

Wasa-Nabin promotes cultural identity, self-esteem, educational values and career goals, and to enhance healthy choices for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Youth. We encourage our youth to lead by example and build a positive atmosphere for other youth to follow.

Youth Justice Committee Program

The Thunder Bay Youth Justice Committee Program is based on a restorative approach to justice. It includes participation of victims, offenders and communities to provide an opportunity for healing and reparation for individuals and communities. It gives priority to the offender accountability, needs of the victims, community wellness and healing.

Youth Life Promotions

The YLP program is designed to support urban Indigenous youth ages 13-24 to achieve success. The program is founded on the principles of self-determination and cultural reclamation.

Waabogonee EarlyON

Waabogonee translated means; flower that wakes up in the morning and blossoms throughout the day.
Waabogonee EarlyON Child and Family Center provides environments that engage parents and caregivers as co-learners and leaders in influencing positive child, family and community experiences and outcomes.
Given that a sense of identity is the path to wellness, cultural elements are essential in the deliverable`s of the program, including access to land and water-based learning, cultural knowledge keepers, traditional songs, stories, crafts and foods, historical perspectives on raising children, parenting skills, and community development.
Waabogonee EarlyOn supports children and their families in learning, growing and deepening their connections. Children and families relationships grow stronger and more resilient through our strength-based and community empowered approaches.

Victim Advocate Program

Provides support, advocacy, and programming to victims of crime, including those currently involved in the main stream criminal justice system, Indigenous Community Council Program and the Indigenous Peoples’ court.

Indigenous Mental Health and Wellness Program

The focus of the IMHWP is to increase access to mental health and wellness, collaborate with individuals and to build supports within the community of Thunder Bay.  

Alternative Secondary School Program (ASSP)

Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, together with Lakehead District School Board offer the opportunity for Indigenous youth to receive a gentle transition into the mainstream high school setting. This Program is currently offered at two locations Hammarskjold High school (North) and Westgate High school (South).

Sexuality and Gender Equity Liaison Worker Program

Sexuality and Gender Equity program focuses on creating and enhancing safer spaces through a compassionate informed lens focusing on women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ a part of the Creating Safer Space Project

Building Gender Diverse Communities

The Two-Spirit & LGBTQ+ Mentor provides support, resources, programming, and support such as sharing circles or one on ones to those who identify as Two-Spirit or LGBTQIA+. The 2S/LGBTQ+ Mentor is available to children, youth, and adults who need help or support. The Mentor can provide information sessions for parents/guardians/relations or to those who want to learn more, as well as education and resources for non-indigenous/non-LGBTQIA+ individuals to help create a safer environment and community

Wiisinadaa: Let’s Eat!

This is a food-based diabetes prevention and management program that seeks to improve the health outcomes for urban Indigenous people by increasing access, knowledge and skills around healthy eating, nutrition, traditional foods and traditional ways of knowing. 

A diagnosis of diabetes is not a requirement for this program. It is open to everyone seeking to improve their knowledge around nutrition and wanting to take steps towards a healthier life.

Indigenous Bail Verification Supervision Program

Verify information about the Indigenous accused at judicial interim release proceedings and to assist the court in considering and selecting suitable candidates for Bail and Bail supervision.
Provides adequate supervision services, including access to culturally appropriate programming for Indigenous accused and supports compliance with conditions of bail.

Pro Bono Students Canada Indigenous Human Rights Clinic

*****THIS PROGRAM IS CURRENLY ON HOLD TILL FURTHER NOTICE*****

Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) administers an Indigenous Human Rights Clinic at the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre (TBIFC). The Clinic is a partnership between PBSC, the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC), and TBIFC. The Clinic offers free summary legal advice and information about human rights and discrimination.

Mental Health Peer Coordinator Program

The Mental Health Peer Coordinator Program is was launched in the Fall of 2021. The goal of the Mental Health Coordinator Program is to provide networks of support and mentorship to urban Indigenous people under community supervision orders as they seek to improve their mental health, reduce any harms associated with behaviours, avoid justice system recidivism, and pursue a Good Mind.

Indigenous Language Revitalization Program

The Indigenous Language Revitalization Program is designed to implement the use of Indigenous languages within Friendship Centres and communities through the provision of community-based Indigenous language programming. The Indigenous program provides access to culture and/or land-based Indigenous Language activities and requires Friendship Centres to create partnerships and build relationships with external agencies that support Indigenous language learning.

Indigenous Youth Transitional Housing Project

The Indigenous Youth Transitional Housing Project is designed to support urban Indigenous youth and young adults ages 18 – 29 experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, as well as youth living with mental health and addictions to transition into independence.

Enhanced Youth Outreach Workers

The Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker (EYOW) program provides wholistic, culturally-informed counselling support to high-risk youth ages 12-21 and supports families in navigating and connecting with services and pro-social opportunities in the community.