Indigenous Archives

Ontario’s Trade Dispute Fallout: A Call to Support Urban Indigenous Communities

by The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) | June 2025

The ongoing trade dispute with the United States is reshaping Ontario’s economy in profound ways. Economists are warning of a troubling mix of inflation and recession. As this crisis deepens, the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) is calling on all levels of government to include Indigenous voices – including the OFIFC and its network of Friendship Centres – in economic planning and to make strategic investments that prevent further hardship in urban Indigenous communities.

An Interview with Adrienne Jugley

by Rob Kirsic | December 2024

Adrienne recently served as the Commissioner of Community Services where she was committed to serving the most vulnerable people in the Niagara community from infant to senior. In this role, Adrienne envisioned Niagara Region as a strong community where individuals are supported to maximize their potential, achieve their goals, and enhance their quality of life and social well-being.

She is also one of the recipients of the 2024 OMSSA Champion of Human Services Award. OMSSA sat down with Adrienne Jugley for an interview to discuss her work and career and thoughts on human services in Ontario.

Towards Reconciliation in Research: Ethical Approaches to Research and Engagement with Indigenous Peoples

by Jazlyn O'Bonsawin | November 2024

The history of unethical research with Indigenous Peoples cannot be undone, but we can recognize this history and shift towards a future where research is decolonized and collaborative. By centering Indigenous data governance and adopting ethical methodologies, we can foster a research environment that respects the sovereignty, knowledge, and rights of Indigenous communities so that research benefits rather than harms Indigenous communities. This shift is not only necessary for healing historical wounds but also an essential part of reconciliation and healing for Indigenous communities.

Walking Together: Bruce County’s Journey Toward Indigenous Reconciliation

by Matt Meade | October 2024

Bruce County, located on the traditional territories of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and Saugeen First Nation, collectively known as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON), took the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action to heart. The County’s relationship with these First Nations is amplified by their shared history and geography. Recognizing this, Bruce County embarked on a significant and comprehensive journey toward Reconciliation, marked by the development of the Indigenous Reconciliation Planning Initiative and ultimately the Indigenous Reconciliation Framework, and the Saugeen Anishnaabek Reconciliation Pathway and Action Plan. This blog delves into that journey – its beginnings, milestones, and the steps Bruce County is taking to foster meaningful Reconciliation.

Achieving Equitable Child Care for Urban Indigenous Families in Collaboration with CMSMs and DSSABs

by The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) | September 2024

The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) represents 31 member Friendship Centres, who have identified that Indigenous-led early learning and child care (IELCC) is a top priority, central to fostering strong, vibrant and prosperous Indigenous children, families and communities. This work is critical to transforming and advancing Ontario’s child care system towards an Indigenous-led model that can support high-quality urban Indigenous early learning and child care programs and services. The OFIFC continues to assert that supporting the right of urban Indigenous communities to self-determination is an action-oriented reconciliation commitment that Service System Managers can advance in collaboration with the OFIFC. Learn more about the work OFIFC is undertaking to move this work forward.

Highlights of the 2024 Exchange Conference

by Nalisha Sankreacha | August 2024

Over 400 people from the human services, health, child care, and public services participated in OMSSA’s in-person Exchange Conference held on May 7 and 8 in Mississauga. Over these two days there was an opportunity to focus on several important professional development topics, enhance skill sets, and showcase the innovative work happening in each of our sectors to address the most pressing issues in our local communities. Read more about the highlights of our most recent Conference.

Developing an Indigenous-led RECE Training Program in Niagara

by Niagara Region | May 2024

OMSSA is featuring several 2023 Local Municipal Champion award recipients and their work in the Knowledge Exchange Blog. Please read this entry from Niagara Region.

The Niagara Region Children’s Services Division, the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre (FENFC), Niagara College (NC) and Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) formed a partnership, planned and delivered the Indigenous-led Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) Program pilot project.

Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound: Connecting for the Dream

by The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) | May 2024

Seven years ago, Ashley Pitawanakwat moved 700 kilometers across the province from Wikwemikong First Nation to Niagara Region with her three children to escape an abusive partner.

Pitawanakwat describes herself as lost in her trauma at the time. She hadn’t lived in her hometown of Fort Erie for 20 years and was nervous about reconnecting with the local urban Indigenous community. Gradually, though, she began to attend women’s drumming circles at the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre (FENFC).

At one of these events, a Friendship Centre board member asked if she would consider participating in a new pilot program, Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound (UIHB). “I didn’t know what UIHB was, what the goals were, or even what being a pilot participant meant, but I said yes and jumped right into it,” she recalls.

To learn more about the Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound Program, please attend the session Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound: Connecting for the Dream at the 2024 OMSSA Exchange Conference on May 8th at 10:30 a.m.

OMSSA Report on the 2024 Federal Budget

by Darryl Wolk | April 2024

On April 16, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland delivered the 2024 Federal Budget. The budget focused on three themes: Solving the Housing Crisis, Fairness for Younger Generations, and Economic Growth and Productivity. Learn more about some of the highlights relevant to OMSSA Members and the human services sectors.

Celebrating Urban Indigenous Housing Solutions as part of National Truth and Reconciliation Day

by Suze Morrison | October 2023

Ontario is estimated to have a shortage of approximately 22,000 deeply affordable urban and rural Indigenous community housing units. The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) is dedicated to working with partners to deliver housing solutions in communities across Ontario that close that deficit and deliver tangible reconciliation commitments. But often, these innovative housing solutions face pushback and are labeled as controversial, often because of stereotypes and subconscious bias against Indigenous people that exist in many communities. Suze Morrison for OFIFC discusses how achieving true Reconciliation requires a joint effort from stakeholders, community members, and government at all levels.

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