Winnipeg

The history of the Friendship Centre movement has served to support a better quality of life for urban Indigenous people for 60+ years. This movement began in Winnipeg and has spanned across all of Canada to now include over 115 Friendship Centres Nation-wide.

In July of 2019, a call to revitalize a Friendship Centre was heard from the urban Indigenous community of Winnipeg, and was met through the exceptional leadership of a network of Indigenous-led community organizations including the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Winnipeg Indigenous Executive Circle and Indigenous Vision for the North End. The support of the National Association of Friendship Centres as well as the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres has been critical in leading our development and implementation as well. We are humbled and honoured today to share that through this exceptional community based and Indigenous-led initiative, we have been able to reclaim, restore and revitalize a Friendship Centre to serve Canada’s largest urban Indigenous community.

We are pleased to announce that 45 Robinson Street, home of the previous Indian and Metis Friendship Centre, will now become the new home of the Winnipeg Indigenous Friendship Centre!

Previously the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre was a vibrant and supportive community hub which community members have described was a “beacon” for many. Our goal is to revitalize this once vibrant home for our community, and to reclaim and restore this important location in Winnipeg’s North End as a safe and supportive place where all are welcome to gather and thrive.