Members of the North Bay Indian Friendship Centre have decided that it is time to change the name the Cassells St. organization has had for 43 years.
"Times are changing," says Kathy Fortin, the centre's executive director. "Words like 'Indian' are no longer considered appropriate to represent First Nations citizens, and are gradually being replaced by more respectful terms.
"As well, our centre -- like the other 117 across Canada and 27 in Ontario -- represents Metis and Inuit, as well as First Nations people living in urban settings, and 'Indigenous' is a more inclusive term."
Fortin said the name change was approved at the North Bay centre's annual general meeting June 22nd.
In April of 2014 the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres changed "Indian" to "Indigenous" in its title.
Last week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will be changing the name of National Aboriginal Day to National Indigenous Peoples Day to observe June 21 as a day to recognize the cultures, traditions, and contributions of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Peoples.
