Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres - OFIFC

Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres - OFIFC The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres is a provincial Indigenous organization representing the collective interests of 28 Friendship Centres

The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) represents the collective interests of 31 Friendship Centres in cities and towns across the province.

The OFIFC is excited to celebrate a historic milestone with the Gihekdagye Friendship Centre! 🎉 Located at 274 Colborne ...
08/21/2026

The OFIFC is excited to celebrate a historic milestone with the Gihekdagye Friendship Centre! 🎉 Located at 274 Colborne Street in Brantford, this building represents a gathering place where our cultures are honoured, our languages are spoken, our children are nurtured, and families grow stronger together. 🤝

This space opens doors to stability, belonging, culture, and continued service for urban Indigenous members across Brantford, Brant, Norfolk, and Haldimand.

The OFIFC is proud to support the important work of the Friendship Centre movement, ensuring that Indigenous Peoples in our cities have access to culturally grounded services, language revitalization, childcare, housing support, health resources, and so much more. 🧡

Congratulations to Gihekdagye Friendship Centre on this exciting new era! Thank you to everyone involved for your vision, commitment, and unwavering dedication. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of Gihekdagye Friendship Centre in the years ahead.

Exciting New    The OFIFC is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor – Health to join their Community Wellness Team! Are you eag...
08/20/2026

Exciting New

The OFIFC is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor – Health to join their Community Wellness Team!

Are you eager to advance Health strategic priorities that strengthen Indigenous self-determination and enhance quality of life in urban Indigenous communities? Can you offer expert, strengths- based advocacy through public policy research and analysis, recommend Indigenous-led solutions, and help drive systems change that supports Friendship Centre communities? If so, this role is for you!

🧭 What You’ll Do

🔹Conduct in-depth policy research, analysis, and advocacy to assess impacts on the Friendship Centre Movement and recommend strategic, Indigenous-led approaches.

🔹Provide expert strategic advice and develop/communicate organizational policy positions, frameworks, and resources to support urban Indigenous self-determination.

🔹Lead policy implementation and evaluation, conducting an intersectional, wholistic view.

🔹Strengthen government and stakeholder partnerships, supporting Friendship Centres through field engagement, local advocacy, and capacity-building.

🎓 What You Bring

🔹Education in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, or related field

🔹3–5 years in policy advisory role

🔹An exceptional communicator, consistently meeting deadlines

🔹Strong communication, strategic thinking & relationship‑building skills

🔹Experience working within the Indigenous non-profit policy space is a major asset


📍Location: Toronto, Ontario (Hybrid)
🛑 Closing Date: on August 27, 2026
💵 Hiring Range: $80,000 - $84,400

If you see yourself in this role, or know someone who would excel in it, we’d love to hear from you!

👉 Apply at: https://recruiting.ultipro.ca/ONT5100OFIF/JobBoard/fd13bb24-648b-4d23-ab83-e2cab69c5fde/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=714deb42-1d0d-46ce-bf2c-27e71211ba3d

Please note: this post will be deleted after the closing date.

Are you passionate about Indigenous education, decolonizing pedagogy, and creating meaningful change in systems that imp...
08/17/2026

Are you passionate about Indigenous education, decolonizing pedagogy, and creating meaningful change in systems that impact urban Indigenous people and communities?

The OFIFC is an experienced Instructor for Systems Change to assess, design, deliver, and evaluate learning programs and initiatives focused on disrupting and dismantling anti-Indigenous racism across government, health, social services, and other public-facing contexts.

📌What You’ll Do

🔹Design and deliver learning programs by developing and facilitating courses, workshops, and training using Indigenous, decolonizing, and trauma-informed approaches to address anti-Indigenous racism.

🔹Support learner success and well-being by creating safe and inclusive learning environments; assessing learners; managing online, in-person, and blended learning; and responding to learner needs and concerns.

🔹Evaluate and improve programs by analyzing learning outcomes, curriculum, materials, technologies, feedback, and data to strengthen program effectiveness and learner experiences.

🔹Build collaborative partnerships with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, instructors, researchers, and organizational partners to advance Indigenous learning initiatives and strengthen support for urban Indigenous communities.


🤝 What You Bring

🔹A master’s degree in Indigenous Studies, Education, Social Science or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience with emphasis on Indigenous connections, lived experience, and learning.

🔹2+ years of instructional experience, including 1+ year applying Indigenous approaches to teaching, learning, and knowledge transfer.

🔹Experience in a health or social service setting is an asset.

📍Location: Toronto, Ontario (Hybrid)
🛑 Closing Date: on August 24, 2026
💵 Hiring Range: $80,000 - $84,400

If you or someone you know is passionate about advancing culturally grounded education and transforming systems to better serve urban Indigenous peoples and communities, we encourage you to apply!

👉 Apply at: https://recruiting.ultipro.ca/ONT5100OFIF/JobBoard/fd13bb24-648b-4d23-ab83-e2cab69c5fde/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=e72d9ac3-963e-4396-bda0-86ba3d4c32b0

Please note: this post will be deleted after the closing date.

The Pathways Program took place Monday, July 27 to Friday, July 31. Together, York University and the Ontario Federation...
08/14/2026

The Pathways Program took place Monday, July 27 to Friday, July 31. Together, York University and the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres supported Indigenous youth in building careers across business, engineering, and technology. 💡🔧

Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and campus support, with York University Centre for Indigenous Student Services we're empowering the next generation of leaders, innovators & changemakers. 🌟

Thank you to everyone who helped make this initiative possible, ensuring accessible, culturally relevant pathways to higher education become a reality! 🎓

# ReconciliationInAction

Our recent Annual General Meeting brought together passionate leaders from across Ontario to drive meaningful change and...
08/12/2026

Our recent Annual General Meeting brought together passionate leaders from across Ontario to drive meaningful change and build a stronger, more inclusive future for our communities.

Through these powerful resolutions, we are committing to reconciliation, empowerment, and building resilient networks that leave no one behind.

The 2026 AGM resolutions reflect a powerful dedication to driving positive change, fostering community resilience, and advancing reconciliation across Ontario. Key initiatives range from modernizing CRA guidelines, empowering youth leadership, and championing Indigenous stewardship of the Great Lakes, to prioritizing Indigenous vendor procurement and strengthening in-person networking. We are also deeply dedicated to inclusion and safety through a focus on supporting adults with disabilities, K-12 education action plans, emergency management frameworks, and the expansion of urban Indigenous prevention supports.

These resolutions represent our shared commitment to progress, equity, and a deeply collaborative future. Thank you to all our members and for your dedication to improving the wellbeing of urban Indigenous communities!

Today, on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we honour the strength, resilience, and rich cultures of ...
08/09/2026

Today, on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we honour the strength, resilience, and rich cultures of Indigenous Peoples around the globe. Indigenous communities steward some of the planet's most important lands and contribute immeasurably to its cultural and linguistic diversity.

In Ontario urban spaces, Friendship Centres serve as fundamental hubs of connection, culture, and belonging. Through essential programs and services, they help strengthen Indigenous communities while ensuring Indigenous voices, traditions, and rights continue to be celebrated and upheld.

This August 9th, the OFIFC encourages everyone to recognize Indigenous resilience, celebrate Indigenous voices, and commit to advancing respect for Indigenous rights.

Whether in rural, remote, or urban communities, Indigenous Peoples continue to enrich our shared future with their knowledge, leadership, and enduring contributions. Indigenous teachings remind us of the importance of caring for one another, protecting the natural world, and honouring the responsibilities we hold for future generations.

The OFIFC is proud to introduce our new Youth Council for the 2026/2027 year! 🌟 We're excited to celebrate the election ...
08/06/2026

The OFIFC is proud to introduce our new Youth Council for the 2026/2027 year! 🌟 We're excited to celebrate the election of dynamic young leaders who are eager and ready to strengthen youth engagement and leadership across the Ontario Friendship Centre movement:

🔹 Asher Brunette – Enji-maawinjidiyaang Indigenous Friendship Centre (Elliot Lake), Northeast Youth Regional Council Member

🔹 Blake Riggs – Barrie Native Friendship Centre, Southwest Youth Board Regional Representative

🔹 Kadence Antone – Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre, Southeast Youth Board Regional Representative (Youth Executive)

🔹 Dylan Henry – Hamilton Regional Indian Centre, Southeast Youth Regional Council Member

🔹 Lindy Sportak – Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, Northwest Youth Board Regional Representative

🔹 Jacinda Brisson – Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre, Northwest Youth Regional Council Member

🔹 Onagoshi Haymond – Ininew Friendship Centre, Northeast Youth Board Regional Representative

We believe that meaningful change happens when young voices are heard, valued, and empowered to lead. Together, they'll collaborate to develop ideas, drive initiatives, and create solutions that matter to our communities. This council is a partnership built on trust, creativity, and shared purpose. We can't wait to see the incredible impact they'll make as we build a strong, exciting, and hopeful future together! 🌍

At this year’s OFIFC AGM, Kathy Fortin of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre was re-elected as 1st Vice Presiden...
08/05/2026

At this year’s OFIFC AGM, Kathy Fortin of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre was re-elected as 1st Vice President, and Cheryl Adams of the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre was re-elected as Secretary. The Executive Committee also welcomes newly elected Youth Executive Kadence Antone, along with new Board members Onagoshi Haymond of the Ininew Friendship Centre and Blake Riggs of the Barrie Native Friendship Centre. 🎉

Their passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to serving Indigenous people in urban communities will strengthen our mission and open new doors for growth and service. 🌱 Their combined expertise will amplify our voice and expand the opportunities we can create for those we serve.

We know that real change happens when diverse voices collaborate toward a shared goal, and our board is now even stronger because of them. Please join us in celebrating these incredible additions to our board. Here's to the future we'll build together!

The Anishinaabe calendar follows the moon cycles. Thirteen Moons guide the year, each reflecting changes in the environm...
08/02/2026

The Anishinaabe calendar follows the moon cycles. Thirteen Moons guide the year, each reflecting changes in the environment and carrying teachings for living mino‑bimaadiziwin (the good life). Names and teachings vary across regions and communities.


The Thimbleberry Moon is the eighth moon of Creation and honours the sacred thimbleberry, which produces an abundant harvest once every three years, reminding us of the beauty of patience, renewal, and the natural cycles of creation. As one of the first plants placed on Mother Earth, its purpose is to protect the Sacred Circle of Life while guiding us to recognize and understand the wisdom and teachings that come from the Spirit World.



How do the teachings of the Thimbleberry Moon influence the way you make decisions?

For more information on how you can get involved or get these printed resources into your communities please email: [email protected]

Friendship has the power to change communities. On International Friendship Day, we celebrate the relationships that bri...
07/30/2026

Friendship has the power to change communities.

On International Friendship Day, we celebrate the relationships that bring people together across cultures, generations, and experiences.

At the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, we see the power of friendship every day. Our 31 Friendship Centres have been central to urban Indigenous life since the 1950s, creating spaces where identity, culture, activism, and self-determination thrive. Guided by Indigenous leadership and resilience, Friendship Centres build lasting networks of support and belonging, strengthening community through connection and collective care.

Friendship is built on kindness, trust, and lifting each other up. It generates pathways where people and communities succeed. Ontario Friendship Centres cultivate these connections and deserve equitable, sustainable funding. Investing in them strengthens families, builds healthier communities, revitalizes cultures, and transforms reconciliation from words into lived reality.

This International Friendship Day, let's celebrate the friendships that inspire us to care for one another and commit to building communities where everyone belongs.

🧡 Happy International Friendship Day.

Address

219 Front Street East
Toronto, ON
M5A1E8

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18007729291

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