Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre receives nearly $5M in support of new facility, programs

The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia has received a $4M investment from the federal government to support its plans to build a new home, as well as $910K in support of programming. The center offers 55 different programs to the urban Indigenous population, including early childhood education services, supports for culture and language, and harm reduction initiatives. The centre has moved three times since it opened its doors in 1972, and triage manager Charlotte Bernard told CBC that she is excited for the day the centre has a permanent home. “I can’t wait for the day that we open the doors of our new friendship centre because I’m going to be standing there all proud,” said Bernard. The friendship centre is focused on securing land for its new home, said executive director Pamela Glode-Desrochers, and reportedly needs at least an additional $35M for the new space. The Government of Nova Scotia also announced a $1.2M investment in the centre’s Every One Every Day Kjipuktuk/Halifax initiative, which brings people together through public events and activities.