For over 60 years, Friendship Centres in Alberta have strived for transformational community-led change for Indigenous people living off reserve. The Centers supports Indigenous women and Youth in urban environments where violence and discrimination may be a higher risk. The centers also collaborate on a national level with the National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls report. Jennette MacInnis tells Windspeaker radio, despite the unity on the issue, more work needs to be done.
Also a factor, according to a report from the centre, is racial discrimination and lack of safe services for Indigenous Women, Girls, and two spirited peoples. MacInnis says, Indigenous allies can do their part as well.
The centres offer supports and services under one roof and helps to further remove barriers, increase access to programming and have an open door policy to access to those living both off reserve and in cities. They can be found in Treaty 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10 territories, the 22 districts of the Metis, and 8 Metis settlements. Also the meeting grounds of many Indigenous peoples including the Siksika, Kainai, Pikani, Amskiapi Piikani First Nations; the Tsuu’tina First Nation, and the Iyarhe Nakoda, including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Goodstoney First Nations, and the Nehiyaw, Denesytine, Dene-Tha, Dane-Zaa, Nakota Sioux, Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Esikisimu Nunangat areas.
There are 21 Alberta Friendship centres throughout the province. For more information, click here.
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