An update to some news we shared last week: the federal government has restored cut funding to the Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples program, which is a key support to our Centre. This restoration of funding is for a five-year period.
This funding will support the Friendship Centre movement as part of Indigenous Services Canada’s shift toward the transfer of service delivery to Indigenous organizations. This five-year commitment represents stability and recognizes the hard work of the Friendship Centre movement, including Centres like ours.
“Stability in funding means stability in people’s lives,” said Armand Jourdain Sr, President of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres. “This decision reflects seven‑generation thinking in practice, and we are deeply grateful for that leadership.”
Thank you to our partners at Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) for advocating for the needs of Indigenous Friendship Centres.