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Throwback photos!Pow-Wow UpdateEaster FunBoopoogame GiizisBoopoogame GiizisBroken Snowshoe MoonBroken Snowshoe Moon50 Years of Friendship!North Bay Indigenous Friendship CentreAPRIL 2024NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERᓂ ᐢ ᑭ ᐱ ᓯ ᒼᓂ ᐢ ᑭ ᐱ ᓯ ᒼNiski-PiisimNiski-Piisim(goose moon)(goose moon)
NBIFC APRIL NEWSLETTER NBIFC THROWBACK PHOTOS - PAGE 5The North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centrehas been in operation since 1974. In that timeit has grown exponentially, a reflection of thenow 8000 Indigenous people from acrossTurtle Island who call North Bay home. We thank all of our dedicated communitymembers, NBIFC Membership, staff, present &past, for all their work and dedication in makingthe Centre what it is today. It is our hope tosee the NBIFC to continue to grow and thrivefor many years to come. MiigwetchExecutive Director‘s MessagePow-Wow PosterThrowback PhotosSuswin Celebrates One YearLife Long Care LuncheonBabies and Families Just another Bannock MondayLanguage ConferenceDrum Making WorkshopMembership Spring DinnerOpen Mic EventMaking Dream Catchers - LLCJob OpportunitiesEducation Opportunities Pathways to Success EventStaff Directory03040506070809101213141516172122TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGENBIFC NEWSLETTER APRIL 2024 | PAGE 3AAniin Boozhoo, Wachay, It has definitely been a month to remember! Ourfirst-ever language conference was everythingwe’d hoped for and so much more. Miigwetch toall who attended. It was such a beautiful, well-organized and thoughtful event, my sincerehope is that we will be able to do this each andevery year.Listening to James Vukelich talk about how heworked so hard to study the mechanics ofAnishnaabemowin, the linguistic science ofOjibwe...he eventually came to understand thatour languages are part of our spirit, and you cantry to analyze it, but at the end, all our languagesare imbued with spirit and can’t be understoodin a completely mechanical, scientific way. Itrequires heart. I think that’s what I saw at our conference thatmade it so different from anything else I‘dattended, there was so much spirit. The staff,the speakers, the participants, everyone wasconnected and coming together in such a goodway. It thrilled me to see people laughing andsmiling while learning and taking in theevent. I have to say Miigwetch once againto the staff, and in particular, our newEvents Coordinator Traci Koritsaris, whoeven though she is new to the job, hasbecome part of the team and everyoneworked together so well to make this apleasant experience for everyone whoattended. I say it often, but I am sofortunate to have such incredible staff. Staff are still putting together activities forall their clients, and if you have any ideasof activities you would like to see, pleaseshare them with a worker, they are alwayson the lookout for input from ourcommunity. We are now barelling towards our next bigevent, our 50th Anniversary Gala. It isgoing to be so much fun. It’s always niceto dress up and enjoy an evening out. Ihope to see you there! Be safe,Kathy Fortin
KindaaswinKindaaswinpow-wowpow-wowCelebrating 50 years of FriendshipCelebrating 50 years of Friendshipjune 8 & 9, 2024june 8 & 9, 2024 North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre PresentsScan & Sign up tosave the dateand get updates! THE 16THTHE 16THANNUALANNUALMaamwiMaamwiFor more information, inquire@nbifc.org(705) 472-2811Limited Vendor Spaces Available For more information, inquire@nbifc.org(705) 472-2811Limited Vendor Spaces Available Indigenous Craft Vendors Food TrucksWater Truck Info BoothsSunrise Ceremony 5:30am Saturday & SundayCommunity Feast - Saturday 5pmAll Registered Dancers Paid No Camping Available & No dogs please. This is a drug & alcohol free eventThis is a drug & alcohol free eventBring yourFeast Bundle, water bottle & chairLee ParkLee Park800 Memorial Park Drive,800 Memorial Park Drive,North Bay, ON P1A 1T6North Bay, ON P1A 1T6
In 1974, there were 3000 Indigenous people living inthe North Bay area. Today there are over 8000.In 1974, The North Bay Indian (nowIndigenous) Friendship Centre opens on thecorner of 3rd and Cassells St. Not far fromwhere the Centre sits now.NBIFC NEWSLETTER APRIL 2024 | PAGE 5THROWBACK PHOTOS
Suswin CelebratesSuswin CelebratesNBIFC NEWSLETTER APRIL 2024 | PAGE 6This year marks significant milestones atthe NBIFC for not just our 50th Anniversary,but also Suswin Village commemorating itsfirst year of operation! Throughout thisjourney, there has been a wealth oflearning, adapting, and fine-tuning. SuswinVillage transcends being just a project;residents are embracing their role inshaping its operations and ensuring itsseamless functioning. Congratulations to allinvolved, and we eagerly look forward tothe coming years and continued growth ofSuswin Village.
Bernice Koosees and new LLC worker Lynn Pearce are always busy making suretheir clients have plenty of opportunities to socialize. Nearly one in fiveCanadians 65 years and older say they lack companionship. The result can hurtphysical and mental well-being.Social isolation and loneliness among older adults have been linked to anincreased risk of:Stroke (32%)Coronary heart disease (29%)Dementia (50%)Cancer mortality (25%)Premature death (45%)The increased risk of death from social isolation and loneliness is similar tosmoking 15 cigarettes a day or having an alcohol use disorder, according tomedical research. (Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health) Life Long Care - Easter LuncheonLife Long Care - Easter LuncheonNBIFC NEWSLETTER APRIL 2024 | PAGE 7
NBIFC NEWSLETTER APRIL 2024 | PAGE 8Babies and Families Easter PartyFamily Support and Healthy Babies puttogether a great little Easter party for the weeones and families at the NBIFC. Fun games,delicious snacks ( the cake looks like it wasdelicious) and great works of Easter art madethe day memorable. A special thank you tothe staff for their hard work, and to our clientsfor always being such good sports! Our family and babyprogram workers are areally fun, supportivebunch, and lookspectacular in bunnyears. Our family and babyprogram workers are areally fun, supportivebunch, and lookspectacular in bunnyears.
bannocktea coffeebannocktea coffeeFor More Information:Kim StephenIndigenous Mental Health & Wellness Worker(705) 472-2811 ext 217daw@nbifc.orgFor More Information:Kim StephenIndigenous Mental Health & Wellness Worker(705) 472-2811 ext 217daw@nbifc.orgJust Just Another Another Bannock Bannock MondayMondayIndigenous Mental Health and Wellness ProgramIndigenous Mental Health and Wellness ProgramApril 15thfrom 1-3pmApril 15thfrom 1-3pm
NBIFC NEWSLETTER APRIL 2024 | PAGE 10It was an incredible event, that was filled with good energy andspirit; there was so much learning, everyone went home with a lot tothink about. All of the workshops were very well attended, and thefood was spectacular.ALL of our speakers and workshop facilitators did an incredible job.Chi-Miigwetch to Richard Assinewai, Velma Assinewai, JamesVukelich, Dr. Joan McLeod-Shabogesic, Wayne McKenzie, MiriamLyall and Micheline Hunter for sharing their time and expertise. BobGoulais once again did an incredible job of MC’ing our event andfacilitating that fun happy energy that makes events memorable.He had everyone trying to play Rock, Paper, Scissors inAnishinaabemowin and there were plenty of laughs in the process.
Language Conference Continued -NBIFC NEWSLETTER APRIL 2024 | PAGE 11The one major takeaway for everyone to remember is that to learn our language is ourright. Always try to speak it, even if you make mistakes and think you sound silly. We areall learning, and that is okay, as long as we keep trying. Don’t give up, it will come with time and practice.
NBIFC NEWSLETTER APRIL 2024 | PAGE 12Drum MakingDrum MakingOften, one of the first things that someone adds to their bundleis a drum. It’s often called a Grandmother, and these drumsonce completed and the ceremony had for their use, they will betreated like a grandmother, with kindness and respect duringtheir time helping people. The teachings are a bit different fromgroup to group but drums are very important for helpingfacilitate that connection between us and the spirit world. Drums should be kept away from drugs and alcohol, and storeda certain way, which Andrew Sutherland was kind enough toteach this group about. Next, learning songs!Often, one of the first things that someone adds to their bundleis a drum. It’s often called a Grandmother, and these drumsonce completed and the ceremony had for their use, they will betreated like a grandmother, with kindness and respect duringtheir time helping people. The teachings are a bit different fromgroup to group but drums are very important for helpingfacilitate that connection between us and the spirit world. Drums should be kept away from drugs and alcohol, and storeda certain way, which Andrew Sutherland was kind enough toteach this group about. Next, learning songs!
Spring Dinner MAY 16, 2024DOORS OPEN 4:45 PMDINNER SERVED @5:00 PMMEMBERSHIP*Must have a valid NBIFC Membership**Must have a valid NBIFC Membership*NBIFC Gymnasium - 980 Cassells St., North Bay, ONRSVP - reception@nbifc.org (705)472-2811RSVP - reception@nbifc.org (705)472-2811The North Bay Indigenous Friendship CentrePresents
Willie from Suswin Village came to the NBIFC one day as ateacher/facilitator. He taught the LLC program on how tomake a dream catcher. Last year, WIllie made many and wasselling them at the NBIFC pow-wow, he makes an incrediblywide variety of sizes, and colours. The LLC program enjoyedhaving him over a great deal and we look forward to whatelse Willie will be sharing with everyone! Dream Catcher MakingDream Catcher MakingNBIFC NEWSLETTER APRIL 2024 | PAGE 15NBIFC NEWSLETTER APRIL 2024 | PAGE 15
(705) 472-2811 Ext. 228https://nbifc.org/employment-opportunities/For more information on these postings, go to:Please send a cover letter,resume, and 3 references to:Human Resources CoordinatorEmail: hrc@nbifc.orgWE AREWE AREHIRING!HIRING!Open Position Prenatal NutritionProgram WorkerCultural ResourceCoordinatorLife Long Care Driver- Part TimeHealth OutreachWorkerCasual Part TimeRelief Workers -Suswin TransitionalHouse Akwe:go EnhancementFAS Community Support
NBIFCPhotoContestSubmit your photo to be on the cover of ournext Newsletter. Thousands of people acrossTurtle Island and beyond see our Newslettereach month! inquire@nbifc.orgPhoto must carry an Indigenous theme or meaning in some way.Win a GIFT CARD!! Send in Your Photo, with title, your name, email and phone number. Image Preparation: The file should be 2MB at maximum. If you submit a photo, you agree tothe use and publication of the image where the NBIFC sees fit, and you have obtainedpermission from the subjects to be photographed and submitted to the contest.