N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre
In 1967, the Nickel Belt Indian Club established the Friendship Centre in Sudbury. Prior to the establishment of the club, the Directors and various members of the club were already doing courtwork and referral work. Once the club was established this work was transferred to the Friendship Centre. Official incorporation of the Friendship Centre under the name “Indian-Eskimo Friendship Centre” did not occur until 1972. Since that time, the Friendship Centre has moved locations four times – the first location was on Ignatius Street, then it moved to Douglas Street, then to Larch Street before moving to its present location on Elm Street. The building on Elm Street was purchased in 1982 since it provided adequate space, which was needed to efficiently serve the Indigenous community.
In 1983, the Friendship Centre officially changed its name to N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre which translates into “where the three roads meet.” The Friendship Centre is managed by a Board of Directors who are elected by the membership. The Friendship Centre has an open membership and is available to any person or group wishing to join.
The Friendship Centre provides assistance to Indigenous people migrating to or living in the Greater City of Sudbury to enhance quality of life and to help improve their social and economic status through programs and activities that serve the social, cultural and recreational needs of the Indigenous community. The N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre provides wholistic programming that promotes language and culture as well as collaborating and establishing partnerships with other services with the goal of empowering family and community, thus improving quality of life.
Learning Activities
- What do you know about the programs and services offered through Friendship Centres in your area?
- Are there particular programs that you are interested in? Who would you contact to learn more about these programs?
- Why is it important that Indigenous peoples have organizations such as Friendship Centres in urban communities?
Expanding Your Knowledge
- The link below provides more detailed information about N’Swakamok Friendship centre:
History of the Friendship Centre
