Rooted is all about the people and the places that make us proud to call our community home.
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The North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre celebrated its 50th anniversary this past April, marking a milestone of growth, service, and community support since its establishment in 1974. Executive Director Kathy Fortin spoke about the Centre’s evolution and the vital role it plays in the lives of Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents of North Bay on an episode of “To North Bay with Love,” hosted by Lisa Boivin.
"We celebrated our 50th anniversary on April 6th at the Best Western. We had a big gala," Fortin shared. "In 1974, the Friendship Centre was established down on 3rd and Cassells, just down the street from where we are now at 980 Cassells. We have 32 programs and over 56 staff now at the Friendship Centre, so we have grown a lot over the years."
Fortin recalled the Centre’s humble beginnings, explaining that it started at a kitchen table with a small group of community members who saw the need for a gathering place for Indigenous people, particularly those arriving from the James Bay coast. "It really was just a garage with a gravel floor," she said of the first location. But over time, the Centre expanded and eventually moved to its current location on Cassells Street, which was a building that started as a church. “Over the years we have added on to it. It is much bigger, and it doesn't look like a church anymore, but it serves its purpose,” says Fortin.
Today, the Centre has grown to include multiple facilities and programs. “We have the house next door at 962 Cassells that houses six offices which are our court workers. Our children's mental health and our employment and training, Apatisiwin program to name a few,” she says. “Then we also have our Suswin Village, which is located right across the street, which is a 30-unit transitional housing with residents. And then we also have our alternative secondary school that's located right across from Tim Horton's, which is on also on Cassells Street.”
Fortin emphasized the importance of sharing their culture with the wider community. “A lot of people think that because it’s called the Indigenous Friendship Centre, it’s just for Indigenous people, but it’s open for everyone. Learning about someone else’s culture is important, especially within the area that we are in. We believe in educating people about who we are and what we have to offer.”
One of the Centre’s most impactful programs is the Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin program, which focuses on preventing violence against Indigenous women and children by promoting healthy relationships and healing for men. “It’s a program I’m very proud of,” said Fortin. “We work with men who have been through the court system or are struggling with anger issues. Through sweats, healing circles, and one-on-one sessions, they learn to respect women and prevent violence. It’s powerful to see the healing that takes place.”
A key aspect of the Centre’s cultural education is its Sweat Lodge near Sturgeon Falls. “The sweat lodge represents Mother Earth,” Fortin explained. “When you go in, it’s warm, and when you come out, it feels like a rebirth. People come for all sorts of reasons — healing, learning, or just to feel connected to their heritage. It’s a beautiful part of our culture, and we welcome anyone who wants to learn.”
The Centre also hosts medicine walks and educational programs on the land around the sweat lodge. They own 208 acres of land before Sturgeon Falls on Riding Stable Road, and the land is used by many programs that run out of the Centre. “We’re working on making the area around the lodge a learning space. There’s so much out there — plants, animals, and species that hold cultural significance. We want schools and the public to come and learn about that.”
Language preservation is another important part of the Centre’s mission, especially given the impact of residential schools, which sought to erase Indigenous languages. Fortin spoke passionately about the Centre’s language programs. “It’s very important for me as an Indigenous person to speak our language and pass it down. When you speak Ojibway or Cree, there’s so much meaning in each word—there’s a story behind everything. That’s something I’m learning with my partner, who speaks Ojibway fluently. It’s a beautiful way of keeping our heritage alive.”
This year, the Centre hosted a language conference that attracted over 200 people from all directions — north, south, east, and west. “We had speakers from different regions, including Inuit, Cree, and Ojibway, and people learned languages through art, storytelling, and workshops. It was an amazing event, and we’re hoping to make it an annual thing.” As the Centre continues to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Fortin is looking forward to the future and continuing to create a space where people from all walks of life can come together and learn about Indigenous culture. “The friendship centre is not just for Indigenous people; it’s a place where anyone can come and learn. We want people to understand who we are and why our culture is so important.”
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