HISTORYThe story starts in the fall of 1974. The Aboriginals’ migration to the city phenomenon was just beginning. Aboriginals were becoming more visible... From 1974 to the present day, the Friendship Centre has continued to develop in order to meet the multiple needs of a growing urban Aboriginal community. The teams that have successively led the Friendship Centre carried out two major projects: the development of services for all ages of life and the development of innovative initiatives to bring peoples together. The Friendship Centre has also taken part in the creation of social housing in 1987 and in the creation of the Abinodjic-Miguam Early childhood Centre in 2003. During the course of its history, the Friendship Centre has always invested significant efforts to increase its financial autonomy and participate in the community’s collective wealth. SERVICES OFFEREDThe Val-d’Or Native Friendship Centre is an urban service hub, a life environment and a cultural anchoring point for First Peoples, dedicated to the wellbeing, justice and social inclusion, it fosters harmonious cohabitation. The Val-d’Or Native Friendship Centre, champion of an Aboriginal civil society that is committed and actively contributes to the social, community, economic and cultural development of its community through innovative and proactive strategies. At the Friendship Centre, the programs and service delivery are based on human values such as commitment, respect, integrity and solidarity. Services are divided into three major development sectors – community, social and economy – that are supported by the general administration. This array of services aims various aspects of life: education, culture, community health, recreational activities, and economy and society issues. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTThe Community Development Sector has for mandate the improvement of community life by a dynamic “empowerment” and involvement of the collective well-being of the Aboriginal community. The Community Development’s approach is based on participation, capability development, self-esteem, critical consciousness and on creating networks.  Children aged 5 to 12The Mohiganech Club – « Little wolves »
Youth aged 10 to 29Wawate Miguam – « House of Northern lights »
Kabadu – « portage »
Nitahigan - « To grow »
Community
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTThe Social Development's mandate is to contribute to the growth and well-being of the individuals of the Aboriginal community by offering psychoeducational and psychosocial services that assist in creating a balance in the soul, body, mind and heart (holistic), allowing for the recognition and development of individuals’ capacity, abilities and competencies (empowerment). Childhood
FamilyParents support program:
Elders
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTThe Economic Development, with its social economy philosophy, has the mandate to contribute to the urban Aboriginal community’s collective wealth by creating job opportunities, economic profitability for its services and promoting fair trade. Food service
Lodging service
Arts and crafts shop
Rental services
OUR TEAMMost important employer for Aboriginal workers in Val-d’Or, The Friendship Centre employs over 70 people. OUR EVENTSMajor gatherings contribute to the sense of pride, identity reinforcement and bridging between peoples:
OUR PROJECTS
CLIENTELEAny Aboriginal person living in or transiting through Val-d’Or. While in Québec over one third of Aboriginals live in an urban setting, in Val-d’Or, the Aboriginal urbanization phenomenon is easily noticed. Statistics Canada’s 2006 census shows that the Aboriginal population living in the Val-d’Or area represents 6.2% of the total population: a 256% growth of the Aboriginal population in this city in 15 years. In addition to this population living in Val-d’Or, there is the Anishnabe population of the neighbouring communities (Lac Simon and Kitcisakik) and the choice made by Crees to make Val-d’Or one of their major meeting points: in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Val-d’Or remains the Aboriginal “metropolis” of the North. These urban Aboriginals are starting to be more present in public spaces in various ways and functions. The youth and growth of this population is transforming the urban landscape. An Aboriginal collective action is developing, a new citizen identity is emerging, and it is not that of Quebecers, or of cultural communities, or of Aboriginal communities. CONTACT INFORMATION: Native Friendship Centre of Val-d’OrMme Edith Cloutier, Executive Director Phone : 819 825-6857 Fax : 819 825-7515 
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