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Urban. Indigenous. Proud

Kristi Lane Sinclair, Clayton Windatt, Jamie Whitecrow, Tracie Louttit, Darlene Naponse
2018 | 5 x 8 min
A film project partnership between the ONTARIO FEDERATION OF INDIGENOUS FRIENDSHIP CENTRES and THE NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA.

5 Shorts Synopsis

Poster

Quote from Claude Joli-Coeur

Quote from Sylvia Maracle

Directors


Kristi Lane Sinclair
Director / Producer


Photo
Photo : Justin Cathcart




Clayton Windatt
Director


Photo
Photo : Lindsay Sarazin




Jamie Whitecrow
Director


Photo
Photo : Natasha Naveau




Tracie Louttit
Director


Photo
Photo : Tracie Louttit




Darlene Naponse
Director


Photo
Photo : Darlene Naponse



Images - Full Circle






Credits - Full Circle

Images - Some Stories...







Credits - Some Stories...

Images - That Old Game Lacrosse






Credits - That Old Game Lacrosse

Images - Zaagi’idiwin






Credits - Zaagi’idiwin

Images - Places to Gather and Learn






Credits - Places to Gather and Learn

Team


Sarah Charles-Decarlo
Producer


Photo
Photo : Sarah Charles-Decarlo




Michelle Derosier
Producer


Photo
Photo : Damien Gilbert




André Picard
Executive Director, Institutional Program (NFB)


Photo
Photo : © Panneton-Valcourt




Kate Vollum
Associate Producer (NFB)


Photo



Media Relations

  • About the NFB

    The NFB is Canada’s public producer and distributor of award-winning documentaries, auteur animation, interactive stories, and participatory experiences. Since 1968, the NFB has produced over 300 works by First Nations, Métis and Inuit filmmakers—an unparalleled collection that pushes past dominant narratives and provides Indigenous perspectives to Canadian and global audiences. The NFB is implementing an action plan with commitments that include devoting a minimum of 15 percent of overall production spending to Indigenous-led productions and making these works more accessible via Indigenous Cinema, a destination on NFB.ca.

  • About the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC)

    Founded in 1971, the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) works to support, advocate for, and build the capacity of member Friendship Centres across Ontario.

    Emerging from a nationwide, grassroots movement dating back to the 1950s, Friendship Centres are community hubs where Indigenous people living in towns, cities and urban centres can access culturally based and culturally appropriate programs and services every day. Today, Friendship Centres are dynamic hubs of economic and social convergence that create space for Indigenous communities to thrive. Friendship Centres are idea incubators for young Indigenous people attaining their education and employment goal; they are sites of cultural resurgence for Indigenous families who want to raise their children to be proud of who they are; and they are safe havens for Indigenous community members requiring supports.

    In Ontario, more than 85 percent of Indigenous people live in urban communities. The OFIFC is the largest urban Indigenous service network in the province supporting this vibrant, diverse, and quickly growing population through programs and initiatives that span justice, health, family support, long-term care, healing and wellness, employment and training, education, research, and more.

    Friendship Centres receive their mandate from their communities, and they are inclusive of all Indigenous people—First Nations, Status/Non-Status, Métis, Inuit, and those who self-identify as Indigenous.

    Learn more about the work the OFIFC does to support Friendship Centres at www.ofifc.org.

  • About the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre

    The Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre (FENFC) was incorporated on February 17, 1983, and became a member of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) in 1984.

    In 1982, the Native community started procedures to become incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization. This was achieved in February 1983, and in April 1983 the Centre received core funding, becoming the first fully funded satellite Friendship Centre in Canada. In 1984, the Centre was able to acquire St. Paul’s Parish Hall and became the first Native Friendship Centre to acquire Native community urban property without government or any other capital assistance.

    The Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre provides a holistic service delivery to the entire community. The approach service delivery encompasses all the life cycles, from prenatal through to end of life. The Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre plays a pivotal role in community development through the delivery of programs and services.

  • About the United Native Friendship Centre

    The United Native Friendship Centre (UNFC) was conceptualized in 1971, incorporated on January 31, 1973, and became a member of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) on February 25, 1973.

    Since its early beginnings, the centre has grown from two to 19 programs which are housed in three buildings in Fort Frances. Included among the current programs are mini-programs and support staff who provide additional services. The centre has 75 members and seven board members, as well as Elders who provide cultural and spiritual teachings. The Friendship Centre has formed other links to Aboriginal agencies in the community by creating partnerships with community service providers and having representation on boards and committees. These resources are required so that the centre can maintain the four primary functions of counselling, education, social and cultural development that were outlined during the formative years of the Friendship Centre.

    Its primary responsibility is to serve Aboriginal people with special services in the fields of social, educational and cultural development while, at the same time, building a bridge of understanding between Native and non-Native people. In recognition of the ever-changing world in which we live, the United Native Friendship Centre is dedicated to enhancing the lives of Native and non-Native people in their community and surrounding area.

  • About the N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre

    The N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre (NNFC) was incorporated on December 18, 1972, and became a member of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) on February 25, 1973. The Friendship Centre was first established in 1967 through the efforts of the Nickel Belt Indian Club. By that time, the directors and some of the members of the Club were already involved in voluntary work such as in the courts and through referrals.

    The purpose of the N’Swakamok Friendship Centre is to assist Aboriginal people migrating to or already living in the Greater City of Sudbury. The centre has developed and implemented programs and activities that serve the social, cultural and recreational needs of the Aboriginal community. The centre is managed by a Board of Directors that is elected by the membership. The Friendship Centre has open membership that is open to any person or group wishing to join.

  • About the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre

    The Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre (Council Fire) was established in 1978 and incorporated on February 9, 1982. Council Fire became a member of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) on October 24, 1982.

    After three decades, Council Fire has not only taken its place in the city but has become a significant team player in the Greater Toronto Area. An indicator of success is the marked respect afforded to the Centre for the spirit of the work and support to the community. Council Fire is proud to say “it is an organization that provides a listening ear and caring staff to help people close the gaps that otherwise may have put them at risk of falling through the cracks. This means that when people are searching for help they are not told what to do with their lives but are shown acceptance, love, respect and support. Anyone who works in this environment can be proud of this accomplishment. The future is now! The ability for growth and development has no limitations. We need only to reflect on the footprints of our past leaders and ensure that our path is consistent, our minds are open and our actions are based on those we serve.”

    Council Fire’s mandate is to provide counselling, material assistance and other direct services to First Nations people, as well as to encourage and enhance spiritual and personal growth.

  • About the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre

    The North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre (NBIFC) was incorporated on March 22, 1974, and became a member of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) in 1974. The NBIFC became the 14th Indigenous Friendship Centre in Ontario when it was incorporated. Originally located in a small building in North Bay, on the corner of Cassells and Third Avenue, the Centre moved to its present location at 980 Cassells Street in 1978.

    Like the original Friendship Centre concept, which recognized the need to assist Aboriginal people leaving reserves and adjusting to urban life, the NBIFC grew out of a need to provide a central place of orientation or “gathering place” for the 600 or so Aboriginal students who came from such communities as Manitoulin Island and the James Bay area.

    The mission of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre is to improve the quality of life for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people in the urban environment of North Bay by supporting self-determined activities that encourage equal access and participation in society, and that respect Aboriginal cultural distinctiveness. The North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre provides a wide array of programs and services to support Aboriginal people of all ages. An important part of our mandate is to serve as a Gathering Place. The NBIFC invites all community members to visit the Centre and participate in the many communal activities that are held throughout the year.