Native Friendship Center of Montreal
Encyclopedia
The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal is a center for aboriginal people in Montreal
. It opened in 1974 (as a drop-in center) located on Bishop Street in Montreal. In 1975 it became incorporated and two years later it moved to a location in the Côte-des-Neiges
district.
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 center 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. Finally in 1995 the Native Friendship Center moved to 2001 St-Laurent Boulevard which is now home to thousands of First Nations People from the four directions that come to the island of Montreal for a visit.
The Native Friendship Center 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 lodge
s 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 for those who are looking for a connection with their hometown and respective Nations.
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 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.
Job Search Workshops and Life skills Programs 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.
Membership is given upon registration and entitles access to all featured in the facility.
In 1997, it opened a Head Start
child care program.
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. It opened in 1974 (as a drop-in center) located on Bishop Street in Montreal. In 1975 it became incorporated and two years later it moved to a location in the Côte-des-Neiges
Côte-des-Neiges
Côte-des-Neiges is a working class neighbourhood of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, situated at the geographic center of the Island of Montreal on the western slope of Mount Royal. The neighbourhood is part of the borough Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce...
district.
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 center 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. Finally in 1995 the Native Friendship Center moved to 2001 St-Laurent Boulevard which is now home to thousands of First Nations People from the four directions that come to the island of Montreal for a visit.
The Native Friendship Center 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 lodge
Sweat lodge
The sweat lodge is a ceremonial sauna and is an important event in some North American First Nations or Native American cultures...
s 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
Native American art
Visual arts by indigenous peoples of the Americas encompasses the visual artistic traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Americas from ancient times to the present...
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 for those who are looking for a connection with their hometown and respective Nations.
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 Aboriginal community. The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal is part of a 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. There are services such as translation services (from varying aboriginal tongues to English and French) and bilingual web media for a calendar of events.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 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.
Job Search Workshops and Life skills Programs 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.
Membership is given upon registration and entitles access to all featured in the facility.
In 1997, it opened a Head Start
Head Start
The Head Start Program is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families....
child care program.