50th Anniversary

The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is very proud and honoured to be celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year! Our official anniversary date takes place on September 13-17, 1971 as this was the date that the newly established NAFC held their first Annual Meeting in Edmonton, Alberta.

Learn more about some of the activities and events that are happening this year:

• Rebrand
• Events:
  • Annual General Meeting
  • 50th Anniversary Kick-off Celebration
• Congratulatory Messages
• Media
• Seeking NAFC Memorabilia

Rebrand

In July 2021, the NAFC revealed our new brand, a new logo and a new website. The NAFC's new look aligns with the vision articulated in our 10-year Strategic Plan. Learn more about the symbolism behind our new brand by visiting the Our Logo page on our website. 

Events

Annual General Meeting

Due to the Covid-19 global pandemic and BC floods, the Annual General Meeting will be a hybrid in-person and virtual event. 

 For our in-person event, the NAFC will be strictly following provincial and local public health guidelines and directives as well as site specific policies and procedures to ensure that the Annual Meeting event plan and venue complies with all COVID-19 prevention regulations.

50th Anniversary Kick-off Celebration

On September 15, 2021, the NAFC kicked-off our 50th Anniversary with a virtual celebration, which included live music and performances from across the country, as well as special messages from key supporters of the Friendship Centre Movement!

Congratulatory Messages

The NAFC has received many congratulatory messages from individuals and organizations from across the country! 

Media

• Native Perspectives Magazines: Launched in 1975, the Magazine was designed to serve the information needs of Friendship Centres and PTAs, Indigenous people living in or moving to urban areas and to help facilitate and understand the aspirations to maintain our cultural identity while living in an urban environment. 
• MEDIA RELEASE: new look to serve us for the next 50 years (July 26, 2021)

Seeking NAFC memorabilia

In preparation for our 50^th Anniversary celebrations, we are reaching out to our members to see if you have any photos, stories, or memorabilia from the early years of the NAFC! We are hoping to showcase these items digitally (over the Member’s Portal and in a slideshow) as well as in a display case at the Annual Meeting. 

We are interested in looking at all items you may have, but some ideas of items what we are looking for include:

• Photos from NAFC meetings, events, assemblies, etc.
• Newspaper clippings
• Stories from the “early days”
• NAFC memorabilia
• Reports of historical significance, including newsletters, annual reports, etc.

You are invited to either send us a photo of the item(s) or if you would like to physically lend us the item for us in our display case, we will ensure that they are carefully looked after and returned to you after the Annual Meeting.

If you have any questions or suggestions for the 50^th Anniversary celebrations, please contact Mel Maracle at melmaracle@nafc.ca.