Our Mission Statement: To provide the Urban Indigenous People with the tools to achieve a balanced wholistic lifestyle.
Our Vision: Creating change that empowers Urban Indigenous People
Our History: In 1971 the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) was founded. The OFIFC is a provincial Indigenous organization that represents the collective interests of twenty-eight (28) member Friendship Centres. Its Friendship Centres improve the quality of life of the Indigenous people living in an urban environment by supporting self-determined activities and services which encourage equal access to and participation in society and respects Indigenous cultural distinctiveness.
In 1972, a group of Indigenous people established a temporary cultural centre, housed on Park St. South. The people felt there was a great need for “Gathering Place” in the Hamilton community. After a lot of hard work and encouragement from the Secretary of State and the Indigenous community, the “Letters Patent” were issued on June 19, 1973. The founding members were, Stewart Victor Longboat, Helen Van Norman Probert and Elwood Cecil Montour.
Hamilton Regional Indian Centre (HRIC) is one of the 29 Friendship Centres within the network of the OFIFC, and provides
wholistic, culturally safe and appropriate services and support to Indigenous people in and around Hamilton regardless of gender, nation, and status. HRIC provides services, supports and programming for all age groups: cradle to grave. HRIC is committed to providing access to cultural and traditional teachings and practices. We recognize the importance of connection to culture and community to ensure each individual success in overcoming the impacts of colonizing policies and practices that have negatively affected the Indigenous people of Hamilton.
About Us: Since 1972 the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre, has been providing the Indigenous community with a place to gather, access service and participate in Cultural teachings and practices. The Friendship Centre provides wrap around services in a culturally safe environment to help rebuild trust and provide a sense of belonging, allowing healing to take place. Indigenous service delivery agencies must have autonomy to implement and provide supports to make meaningful impact as we know the distinct needs of our community members and how to address them. As Indigenous people ourselves, only we can fully and successfully undertake the work to intervene and reverse the significant impacts of colonialism on our people.
Leadership: The Current Leadership of Hamilton Regional Indian Centre (HRIC) consists of Executive Director and two Program Managers overseeing 34 programs. The objectives of the Friendship Centre are carried out by the Executive Director under the oversight of a governance Board of Directors whom are elected from the Friendship Centre membership.
