YMCA and Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre Partner To Create Provide Recreational Opportunities For Urban Indigenous Youth

After a Community Development Grant from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, the YMCA of Central East Ontario has partnered with the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre’s Waawiye Kinoomaagzijig Alternative School Program to create a recreational platform for urban Indigenous youth announced on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The youth are from the Waawiye Kinoomaagzijig Alternative School Program and have been granted recreational instruction, access to recreational facilities and specialized classes.

The two-hour program occurs twice a week at the YMCA of Central East Ontario, Balsillie Family Branch. Activities may include weight training, powwow dancing, self-defence and more. The second day is dedicated to free time with available activities such as basketball, pickleball, swimming and conditioning.

“We are excited for this opportunity to partner with the YMCA, supported by a generous grant from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities,” says Ashley Safar, Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre executive director. This partnership and funding will increase access and enhance our ability to provide engaging and culturally enriching recreational programs tailored to the needs and interests of youth in our Waawiye Kinoomaagzijig Alternative Secondary School Program.”

This funding covers YMCA staff assistance and instruction, external instructors, equipment, transportation and gym clothing for the participants. The grant aims to remove any financial obstacles and ensure Indigenous youth’s engagement in the program.

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The Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival is Accepting Applications for Next Year's Event

Applications are now being accepted by Indigenous artists in all genres to perform in the Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival (NIFF).

File Photo.

NIFF is an unjuried, uncensored festival for independent indigenous performers.

Unlike the fringe movement, NIFF focuses specifically on local and regional Indigenous artists, mentorship, collaborative learning, knowledge sharing and skill development.

Performers are chosen by lottery and receive 100% of the box office proceeds.

The deadline to apply is Dec. 17.

Artists are chosen in January and selected artists perform at Trent University from June 21-26, 2022.

For more information on the Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival, click here.

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Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre Hosts Truth and Reconciliation Day Sacred Fire

The Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre (NFC) invited the community to join them in a sacred fire and book reading to honour National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Thursday.

The Lovesick Lake Native Women’s Association offers and Aboriginal Prenatal Nutrition Program, a Program for Children, and Long Term Care. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

This marked the first official National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

In association with Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle and Lovesick Lake Native Women's Association, Phyllis Webstad’s book ‘Orange Shirt Day’ was read around a sacred fire in the NFC wigwam while individuals made tobacco offerings.

“This isn’t a holiday. It’s a day of remembrance and a day of learning,” said Rebekah Rego, NFC Community Wellness Worker. “Learn about not just the past but about the 94 Calls to Action, understanding what that means, then move forward with that knowledge and use it every day.”

The Calls To Action were released in 2015 by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). They are meant to address the ongoing impact of residential schools on survivors and their families and to advance the process of reconciliation in Canada.

As of Sept. 30, 2021, only 14 of the 94 Calls to Action have been completed.

“That just shows you how long this will take,” said Kim Lamothe, NFC Cultural Resource Coordinator. “Reconciliation is a work in progress and it might take years.”

Lamothe says that Truth and Reconciliation Day is about getting people to educate themselves on the history of Canada and Indigenous people.

“We need to work together because we walk this path together and we live on this earth together,” said Lamothe. ”Elders and survivors and families are telling those stories and we need to listen, and know that they’re telling the truth.”

Visitors were invited to write on canvas leaves and add them to the canvas. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

At the Truth and Reconciliation Day event at NFC visitors were invited to sign a canvas in commemoration of Indigenous relatives or community members.

The canvas will also be presented at the NFC on Oct. 4, the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

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Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre Launches Free Business Start-Up Program For Aboriginal Community Members

The Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre—a Peterborough-based non-profit culture and community organization providing programs and services to urban Aboriginal people—has announced a new business start-up training program geared at supporting and growing entrepreneurship within the city's urban Aboriginal community.

The objective of the program is to increase the participation of urban Aboriginal people in the economy. Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre is offering the program in partnership with Peterborough Economic Development’s Business Advisory Centre, who will be providing the training in order to support program participants in creating a viable business plan.

“In our recent community assessment, a high percentage of our urban Aboriginal community members responded favourably to becoming an entrepreneur,” says Lori Flynn, Executive Director of the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre. “Owning your own business can be challenging, but a rewarding way to participate in the economy.”

“We are pleased to partner with the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre on this new business start-up training program geared at supporting our local Aboriginal community,” adds Sandy Greenberg, Peterborough Economic Development’s Business Advisory Centre Lead. “The programming that we are delivering will support participants in navigating the path to a successful business start."

The team at Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre

The business start-up training program will consist of six training workshops starting in late November. Participants will receive one-on-one support from local business leaders and explore practical solutions to get their business ideas off the ground. Workshops will offer topics such as sales, marketing, operations and budgeting.

Each participant will work towards putting together a professional business plan to connect with potential funding sources. The deadline to apply is November 18th, 2016. Child care and transportation may be provided to successful applicants based on need. Interested applicants can visit nogofc.ca for more information or contact the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre at 705.775.0387.

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