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NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERFEBRUARY 2025FEBRUARY 2025NORTH BAY INDIGENOUS FRIENDSHIP CENTRENORTH BAY INDIGENOUS FRIENDSHIP CENTRE
3456789101112131415161718192021TABLE OF CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2025President’s MessageUpcoming EventsHappy Retirement Wendy Favreau!Round Dance Save the Date2SLGTBQQIA+ Youth Activity PosterValentine’s Day Open Mic NightMen’s Sharing CircleMNO Health FairPrenatal ClassFamily Support and Prenatal Wall of FameAnishinaabe Police ServiceParenting ClassAdult CookingCommunity Drum SocialRed Dress Day Art ContestTrusted SourceNBIFC Job PostingsStaff Directory
Looks Like Our US Cousins Could use Friendship Centres By Maurice Switzer So Donald Trump is threatening to make Canada’s his country’s 51st state? The last time a United States president tried the takeover trick it really backfired. In 1812 James Madison told Congress that conquering their northern neighbour would be “a mere matter of marching”because of the colony’s smaller population and limited defences, since British forces were back in Europe fightingNapoleon and France. The greatest gift that this country ever received was its military defence by 10,000 Indigenous warriors for two years inthe only war ever fought on Canadian soil. Most of those warriors were Anishinabek, and included Assiginack fromManitoulin Island, Meskwaki (Yellowhead) from Rama, Shawundais from Alderville, Shingwaukonse from Garden River, andan Algonquin Chief who was given the rank “Commandant”, which is said to be the origin of the Commanda family name inNipissing First Nation. After the Indians had kept the more numerous Yankee forces at bay for two years, British reinforcements returned fromEurope to attack Washington and burn down the White House and Capitol building. Trump is vengeful enough against perceived enemies that maybe he’s blaming nine million Native Americans for hiscountry’s past embarrassment at their hands. Perhaps his payback includes his plans to rename Denali – known toAlaskan Athabaskans as “the high one” -- to Mount McKinley, to “drill, baby, drill” more pipelines through Indian territory,and even to challenge in court American Indian claims to U.S. citizenship. More likely he’s still smarting from losing a lawsuit to halt Indian casinos from competing with his gaming properties. Heclaimed that Indian gaming rights were “discriminatory”, and in court said the people who operated their casinos “don’tlook like Indians.” Those who identify as American Indians, Alaska Natives, or a combination of Indigenous and other heritages belong to570 recognized tribes, and some live on 326 reservations. (Hawaiians are not classed as Native Americans.) As is the case here in Canada, most live in urban and suburban locations. The U.S. urban Indigenous population of 80 percent is close to the 88 per cent of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people who live in Ontario municipalities. One big difference is the Indigenous proportion of national populations; 1.8 million Indigenous peoples account for overfive per cent of Canada’s population, while they represent about three per cent in the United States. Our southern cousins don’t have Indigenous Friendship Centres like ours in North Bay and 30 other cities in Ontario. They could really use them over the next four years.President’s Message
FEB12MAR14FEB25MAR25FEB4FEB11FEB18FEB5FEB12FEB19FEB26FEB14MAR4MAR5JUN7JUN8UPCOMING EVENTS PAGEUPCOMING EVENTS PAGEFull Moon Ceremony - 6:30pmBig Medicine Studio - 161 Couchie Memorial Drive (at the tipi)Community Drum Social 5:00pm-8:00pmNBIFC GymTuesday Drum nights! 6:00 pm to 8:00 pmNBIFC GymPrenatal ClassesMust be registered - see posterOpen Mic Valentines Night! 4 pm - 8 pmMaamwi Kindaaswin Pow Pow- Lee Park Scan Me to learn about NBIFCPrograms!Language Conference 2025 - Best Western North BayAgenda TBA, Registration Opens Soon!@NBIFC Gym - See poster for more information!We have a lot of programminghappening every day - call oremail us today to find yourperfect program! MAR1Round Dance - Save the DateNbiising Secondary School
A heartfelt chi-miigwetch to Wendy Favreaufor her many years of dedication as ourFriendly Visitor at the North Bay IndigenousFriendship Centre (NBIFC). We wish her all thebest in her well-deserved retirement andextend our deepest gratitude for the kindness,support, and companionship she provided toour community elders. Wendy was always atour events, pitching in, helping out and greatat making sure everyone was comfortable andtaken care of. Wendy is one of the original “NBIFC kids” whogrew up here, and knows first-hand howimportant having a place to come and be partof a community is.Wendy upheld a proud family tradition ofcommunity service as the daughter of JackieFavreau-Whaley, one of our foundingmembers. Thank you, Wendy, for yourcontributions to the NBIFC! All the best, and enjoy the next adventure,Wendy!
Starting January 24th and Running Until March 27th, 2025.
NEW FOR2025!MEN’SWEEKLYSHARINGCIRCLEWEDNESDAY FEB 5, 20254:00 PM-5:30 PMWEDNESDAY FEB 5, 20254:00 PM-5:30 PMSTARTING:REGISTERTODAY!REGISTERTODAY!Kizhaay@nbifc.org705-472-2811 x 216Kris Dicht - Kizhaay Anishinaabe NiinCoordinatorKizhaay@nbifc.org705-472-2811 x 216Kris Dicht - Kizhaay Anishinaabe NiinCoordinator@ THE NBIFC
PrenatalClassEveryWednesdayTo register please call (705)472-2811Cindy Ext 212 or Kayla Ext 210Must be registered clients with FamilySupport and/or Prenatal Program.Registration is easy, call today!2:00pm-3:30 pmThere are few things more exciting than preparing for a newfamily member. Come in and learn about prenatal nutrition,labour and delivery, gestational diabetes, spiritual health,emotional health, and so much more, giving you the support youneed to take care of yourself and your little seed.
Aanii, Hello,Welcome back. We hope everyone had a wonderfulChristmas and Happy New Year. We sure did. It wasbusy but great to spend time with family and friends.We are also excited to be able to bring some greatactivities to you. Please watch our Facebook pages forupcoming events which will be posted. Also,remember to follow the instructions on the poster toregister for activities.Family Support and Prenatal clients need to call toregister for activities starting Jan 1/2025.We recently held a Nutrition Bingo; we had a greatturn out. Thank you to those who came out, it was alot of fun.Don’t forget we have Musical Babies and Tots onMon mornings, Parent Relief on Tues mornings(mustregister), Wednesdays is Traditional Crafts. Thursdayis for Home/hospital visits and Fridays is Family Den.“Happy Parents make happy children”-Dr.Miriam StoppardKayla & Cindy705-472-2811 ext 210/212Family Support andPrenatal Programshas so much goingon!
ElderLeaderHelperContributorYouthLeaderVolunteerSupporterTeacherKnowledgeKeeperKnowledgeKeeperHelperHelperContributorYouthLeaderInitiatorLanguageKeeperElderSeeking Nomineesfor Wall ofFameSeeking Nomineesfor Wall ofFameWe’re excited to announce thecreation of a Wall of Fame inside theNBIFC—a beautiful tribute to the manycommunity members who havecontributed to the incredible growthof our organization.We need your help! Who do YOU thinkdeserves to be on the Wall of Fame?Submit your nomination by emailingus at inquire@nbifc.org or mailing it to:980 Cassells St, North Bay, ON P1B4A8.Please include:The nominee’s nameA short paragraph highlightingtheir contributions to ourcommunityWe can’t wait to hear your suggestionsand celebrate the amazing individualswho make our community shine!
NOBODY’S PERFECTNOBODY’S PERFECTPARENTING CLASSPARENTING CLASSStart date February 6th 9:30am-11:30amParenting can be incredibly challenging and sometimes finding the right tools to help can be hard todo. Our parenting class is judgment-free, supportive, fun and educational to help you be the bestparent you can be! Must be registered clients to Family Support and/or Prenatal Programto register contact (705)472-2811 Cindy Ext. 212 or Kayla Ext 210Parenting can be incredibly challenging and sometimes finding the right tools to help can be hard todo. Our parenting class is judgment-free, supportive, fun and educational to help you be the bestparent you can be! Must be registered clients to Family Support and/or Prenatal Programto register contact (705)472-2811 Cindy Ext. 212 or Kayla Ext 210
RED DRESSRED DRESSDAYDAYArt ContestArt ContestAll forms of visual art are welcome (Paintings, sculptures, dress or fashion designing, sketching, pottery, photograpy).All forms of visual art are welcome (Paintings, sculptures, dress or fashion designing, sketching, pottery, photograpy).All Participants Must be Registeredto register contact: Amanda Curran at amhn@nbifc.orgAll Participants Must be Registeredto register contact: Amanda Curran at amhn@nbifc.orgSubmission deadlines and details including agecategories to be announced.Submission deadlines and details including agecategories to be announced. All entries must be original, culturally appropriate and suitable for all ages(no nudity or vulgar entries will be accepted or displayed) All entries must be original, culturally appropriate and suitable for all ages(no nudity or vulgar entries will be accepted or displayed)
By Appointment ONLYCall or Email today!
We AreHIRINGTo find out more, check out our website! www.nbifc.orgTo find out more, check out our website! www.nbifc.orgjoin us !Job Opportunities Available:Waaban WorkerChildren’s Wellness WorkerIndigenous Prenatal Nutrition/Family Support AssistantSuswin Village Transitional House (SVTH) Night Client CareWorker (part-time, casual relief)Akwe:go Program Worker980 Cassells St. North Bay,ON P1B 4A8hrc@nbifc.org (705)472-2811 ext 228Follow our human resources Facebook page:NBIFC HumanResources