News & Media

The National Association of Friendship Centres’ (NAFC) Communications Team works to raise awareness and support the Friendship Centre Movement, as well as broaden the understanding of urban Indigenous experiences across Canada.

Media Inquiries

All media inquiries must be sent to the Communications team at communications@nafc.ca. The official spokespeople for the NAFC are Jocelyn Formsma, Chief Executive Officer, and Kelly Benning, Board President.

What's New

Media Release: Jennifer Rankin promoted to NAFC Senior Director

The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is pleased to announce the promotion of Jennifer Rankin to the new role of NAFC Senior Director. Ms. Rankin is a member of Batchewana First Nation and has lived in Ottawa her entire life and has over 10 years’ experience working with various...

Friendship Centres prepared to innovate in new round of Investment Readiness Program

OTTAWA – The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) unveiled its plan today for Friendship Centres (FCs), Provincial / Territorial Associations (PTAs), and other urban Indigenous social purpose organizations (SPOs) to benefit from a new wave of funding from the Investment Readiness Program (IRP). The NAFC will support and...

First Light and their evolving relationship with social enterprise

We’re pleased to launch a new feature highlighting the incredible work of Friendship Centres across the Movement – giving insights and inspiration on how urban Indigenous communities are building community, culture, and connection. As part of the Investment Readiness Program, in partnership with the Government of Canada, First Light was able...

Vital Indigenous Led Family Preservation Program not renewed for funding.

Vital Indigenous Led Family Preservation Program not renewed for funding. "The Grande Prairie Friendship Centre (GPFC) Board of Directors is devasted by the recent loss of program funding for its successful Mamewpitaw (Mam-a-we-pea-taw) Program, a culturally infused family preservation and reunification program to keep Indigenous families together. We urge...

MEDIA RELEASE: Budget 2022 fails to address urban Indigenous realities

OTTAWA – The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC), on behalf of the over 100-member Friendship Centres, expresses its disappointment and concern over the federal government’s exclusion of urban Indigenous needs and priorities in the 2022 federal budget. READ FULL MEDIA RELEASE HERE (PDF)

"Green light for transitional housing at the Val-d'Or Native Friendship Center"

"The Centre d’amitié autochtone de Val-d’Or (CAAVD) will be able to move forward with its project of 20 transitional housing units for a vulnerable clientele. "The context of homelessness in Val-d'Or is very real and it is important for us, with the other partners, to help find multiple solutions for...

"Local counselling organizations receive funding to address rising demand"

"The province is extending funding to low and no-cost local counselling services across the province. $4.2 million is going to support 49 community agencies to provide counselling services for people, particularly those in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. This is part of the government efforts to meet the growing demand...

"Governments, agencies, community come together to launch construction of Indigenous seniors residence"

"Calgary will soon have its first Indigenous seniors lodge. The urban Indigenous seniors living facility is called The Indigenous Elders Lodge. The $5.7 million lodge, located in Highland Park, will offer 12 units of affordable seniors housing and include cultural spaces for land-based teachings, ceremonies and to promote healing. It...

"Telus And AFNCA Launch Mobility For Good For Indigenous Women At Risk"

"TELUS has launched a philanthropic pilot project designed to provide smartphones and phone plans to vulnerable, Indigenous women who are at risk or surviving violence. This year-long Mobility for Good, (M4G) program partners with five Alberta Native Friendship Centres across all points of the province to provide a critical lifeline...

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