Winnipeg Indigenous Friendship Centre

RECLAIMING, RESTORING AND REVITALIZING A FRIENDSHIP CENTRE FOR WINNIPEG - WELCOMING THE WINNIPEG INDIGENOUS FRIENDSHIP CENTRE

April 6, 2023 (Winnipeg, MB) - We are pleased to announce that 45 Robinson Street will be the new home of the Winnipeg Indigenous Friendship Centre. 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. We are humbled and honoured today to share that through this exceptional community based and Indigenous-led initiative and with the support of the National Association of Friendship Centres as well as the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres, we have been able to reclaim, restore and revitalize a Friendship Centre to serve Canada’s largest urban Indigenous community. 

The Winnipeg Indigenous Friendship Centre Board of Directors and staff are deeply committed to reclaiming, restoring and revitalizing a Friendship Centre to meet and support the unique needs of Winnipeg’s urban Indigenous community. Winnipeg faces many challenges including increasing rates of violence, poverty, food security and lack of access to supports for those coming to Winnipeg from rural communities across Manitoba.

December 2022 we became Incorporated and are now a federally registered charity. Demolition of the existing building at 45 Robinson, is scheduled for mid April 2023, and are pursuing funding at this time to rebuild. Plans are underway and we will take a phased approach to reconstruction beginning with development of our administrative space and drop-in centre, followed by construction of a larger community gathering space and bingo hall. The final phase of our construction is plan is to create supportive and affordable housing for the elderly members of our urban Indigenous community.

Under the leadership of CEO, Rachel Sansregret, Winnipeg Indigenous Friendship Centre Board of Directors and its staff are deeply committed to reclaiming, restoring and revitalizing a Friendship Centre to meet and support the unique needs of Winnipeg’s urban Indigenous community. Winnipeg faces many challenges including increasing rates of violence, poverty, food security and lack of access to supports for those coming to Winnipeg from rural communities across Manitoba.

“We became incorporated as of December 2022 and are now a federally registered charity. We have scheduled demolition of the existing building at 45 Robinson for mid-April 2023, and are pursuing funding at this time to rebuild.” says Sansregret.

“Plans are underway and we will take a phased approach to reconstruction beginning with development of our administrative space and drop-in centre, followed by construction of a larger community gathering space and bingo hall. The final phase of our construction is planning to create supportive and affordable housing for the elderly members of our urban Indigenous community. I am beyond thrilled about each of these phases!” continued Sanregret.

WIFC board of directors are rooted in a governance structure based in Indigenous values and transparency and have incredible community leaders that will be guiding us including Chairperson - Trevor LaForte (WASAC), Co-Chairperson - Kayla Stubbs (NDINAWE) Treasurer  - Brian Churpalo (Bear Clan and Secretary - Damon Johnston (Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg).

“We have heard from the community that 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.” said WIFC Chairperson Trevor LaForte

Prior to construction of our new building, WICF will begin to operate at 45 Robinson through engaging our youth, elders and community in land-based education centred on Indigenous culture. Our land-based education will include traditional gardening practices with a focus on sustainable food sovereignty workshops, such as how to grow a 3 sisters garden, and how to grow food in small spaces. We will as well plant a traditional medicine garden where our community can come to pick medicines and to connect with the land we have the honour and privilege of placing our new building on.

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