About
Renovations
The Renovations to the outside of the building have been completed, we have completed quite a few renovations to the inside as well, however there are still some in the works and more to come. We are making every effort to provide a comfortable, welcoming and professional environment for the public.
Background and Mandate
Incorporated in 1971, the Dawson Creek Nawican Friendship Centre is part of a network of 24 community governed Aboriginal Centre’s across British Columbia. Although the BC Friendship Centre movement is primarily concerned with meeting the health and social service needs of the 70% of BC’s Aboriginal peoples that live in urban and off reserve communities, many members of Dawson Creeks neighboring First nations communities and non-aboriginal community members use the vital services that have been provided by the friendship Centre.
The Friendship Centre movement has grown over the last 35 years to become the largest non-government provider of health and services to Aboriginal Peoples. In many of BC's rural and remote communities, the friendship center is the only available source of service to both out Aboriginal and non- aboriginal people alike.
Our mandate is: to promote friendship and understanding between Native and Non-Native citizens of the South Peace River district. TO provide: counseling, information, resources, guidance and programs for the comfort and betterment of native and non-Native citizens of Dawson Creek and area.
Goals
The main goals of the friendship Centre are to involve the Centre through cultural activities and programs, designed to promote understanding and fellowship, we also want to encourage Native people to take a more active role in our community and we try hard by helping them develop good role models and provide sustainability to the Centre’s activities.
Message From Our Executive Director
Greetings,
The Nawican Friendship Centre has been changing to meet the needs of the community of Dawson Creek. We have made renovations to make our space more inviting and comfortable for the community, and have expanded our programming to include Cree lessons and Traditional Dance Classes. Our vision and commitment for the future is to continue to develop more innovative programming while strengthening our current services by building partnerships with community members, service providers and representatives from all levels of government.
The Nawican Friendship Centre is a wonderful place to feel the pulse of our community. Take part in the opportunities for fellowship and friendship while enjoying a bowl of soup, participating in a work shop, or visiting our Youth Drop-in Centre.
On behalf of the staff of the Nawican Friendship Centre, I invite everyone to come and enjoy all that we have to offer.
Brandon Grant
Executive Director
Noteworthy Services
We have a small staff of 9 that strive to provide for the community, and offer the following services:
- A Soup Kitchen that runs on Mon, Wed, and Fri from 12pm-1pm
- Bannock Day every Thursday
- Accept donations of food for the soup kitchen and grocery boxes
- Freezer Meal Club once a month
- Grocery Box which is once a month for $5.00
- A Drug and Alcohol Counsellor, Adam Laboucan
- A Diabetic Foot Clinic once a month
- Traditional Dance *Pow-Wow Dance* with Evelyn Courtoreille and Sherrill Supernault every Thursday Night
- A Youth Drop In Program, Sydney Yaremichuk Youth Coordinator
We are constantly improving our services as well as offering more to the community all the time. We have hosted Crystal Meth Awareness Workshops, HIV/Aids/Hepatitis Awareness workshop in collaboration with Positive Living North with Earl Lambert, Dream Catcher Workshops and many more, with more to come.
We are also hosting workshops, for moccasin making, medicine wheel teachings, drum making and workshops to increase awareness about crystal meth.
Programs and Workshops
To read more about our current and upcoming Projects, please read more on the Programs and Workshops page.
Joining
We are happy to announce that memberships are only $2.00 for life and good for all 24 Centres! Come down and join up and get your picture taken.
And Don't Forget...
Check out our Image Gallery to get an idea of what's going on! |
