N'Amerind Friendship Centre

About N'Amerind Friendship Centre

N'Amerind Friendship Centre is a non-profit community organization located on Colborne Street in the SoHo neighbourhood of London, Ontario. It serves Indigenous people living in the city and surrounding areas, with a specific focus on supporting Urban Indigenous community members. The organization is dedicated to promoting physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual well-being through culturally relevant programs and supports. The centre offers over 15 diverse programs designed to meet social, recreational, and educational needs. Specific offerings include Teaching and Sharing Circles, Healing Circles, and Friday Night Skating. The organization also provides specialized services such as the Wiingashk Alternative Secondary School, a collaborative educational program with the Thames Valley District School Board. Other services include the Apatiswin Employment & Training program, the Indigenous Mothers Homeward Bound program, and the Healthy Babies Healthy Children initiative. Additionally, the centre provides justice-related services, including Community Court Workers, Gladue Writers, and the Gladue Aftercare Program, which offers culturally based alternatives to incarceration. Founded in 1965, N'Amerind Friendship Centre was one of the original six Friendship Centres in Ontario. It describes itself as a pillar of support for urban Indigenous communities, focusing on fostering identity, cultural connection, and community development. The management team includes Executive Director Joel Kennedy and Section Managers Ken Oliver, Laurel Day, Carmen Lewis, and Wanda Nahdee.