Native Friendship Centre, Slave Lake, AB

Dotted across the province of Alberta are twenty Friendship Centres quietly working to improve the lives of urban Aboriginal people in their communities. As part of their mandate, Friendship Centres welcome all community members regardless of place of origin or status to partake in their services and programming. This sense of inclusively has earned Friendship Centres the reputation of a caring culturally driven community organization that is committed to improving the social, economic and educational opportunities available in their region. Bound together with a common vision, Alberta Friendship Centres are members of the Alberta Native Friendship Centre Association and the National Association of Friendship Centres. The strong history of the Friendship Centre Movement began in the late 1950’s in response to the number of Aboriginal people migrating to urban centres from remote and reserve locations.