Notes on the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto

History and Evolution of the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto

• Post-World War II Migration: The center's origins trace back to the period after World War II, when many Aboriginal men and women, returning to Canada after fighting in the war, began migrating from reserves to urban centers like Toronto and Vancouver.

• Initial Need for a Community Hub: This migration created a need for a central gathering place or "Friendship Centre" to support these individuals.

• North American Eating Club (Early Incarnation): The first response was the "North American Eating Club," which served as a social venue where people could hold dances, socialize, converse, and enjoy coffee.

• Progression Through Various Locations: Recognizing a growing need, the initiative moved to:

  • The YMCA on Yonge and College.

  • $603$ Church Street, establishing a small cultural center.

  • $210$ Beverly Street (a house), which also functioned as a cultural center.

• Driving Force: Employment and Training: Each relocation was prompted by an increasing number of Aboriginal people migrating to Toronto, primarily seeking employment and training opportunities.

• Acquisition of Current Location: The center eventually moved to its present location at $16$ Spadina Road. The organization purchased a library and the building, which has since been fully paid off.

• Bible College Building: The current building, a $1928$ Bible College, has been occupied by the center since $1962$.

• Challenges Faced by Aboriginal Women: A significant factor in urban migration was the loss of Aboriginal status for women who married outside their communities, often forcing them to leave reserves to seek opportunities in cities like Toronto or Vancouver.

• Hub for Spin-off Organizations: The Native Canadian Centre has become a crucial "hub," leading to the creation of numerous other vital organizations, such as Native Child and Family Services, located nearby.

Current Programs and Services

• Aboriginal Crafts Shop: A volunteer-initiated crafts shop, established in $1962$ at $60$ Spadina Road, sells authentic Aboriginal crafts and continues to operate successfully.

• Asiniiw Program: This program employs $14$ personal support workers who conduct outreach to assist $110$ seniors. Services include apartment cleaning, transportation to doctors, and grocery shopping, enabling frail seniors to remain in their homes rather than requiring long-term care or hospitalization.

• Youth Program: Enhanced over the last three years, this program engages $205$ youth. It provides:

  • A $10$-bedroom house on Dundas offering $11$-month accommodations.

  • Entrepreneurial training and life skills development.

  • Support for returning to school, aiming for at least Grade $12$ education.

  • Successful outcomes, with youth finding independent accommodation and employment.

  • A future goal of establishing a dedicated legacy youth community center.

• Cultural Program: Offers a range of culturally significant activities:

  • Beading classes.

  • Language classes (Mohawk and Ojibwe).

  • Regalia-making classes for dancing.

  • Adult traditional dancing classes.

  • Martial arts classes at a low rate for the community.

• Community Engagement and Cultural Preservation: Efforts are underway to:

  • Engage elders to pass on traditional knowledge to youth.

  • Introduce more cultural classes, specifically for Iroquois and Métis communities.

  • Engage with the Inuit community under a unified umbrella.

• First Story History Project: Initially slow due to funding issues, this project (now called "First Story") partners with the University of Toronto. It offers bus tours to historical Aboriginal sites in Toronto, sharing narratives from $1867$ onwards, aiming to enhance an understanding of Aboriginal history.

• Weekly Socials: Every Thursday evening, the center hosts socials reminiscent of its beginnings, featuring drumming, songs, dance, and a feast, fostering unity, storytelling, and community interaction.

• Food Programs: Provides essential nutritional support:

  • A breakfast program (January to March) for homeless individuals and community members.

  • An affordable lunch program at a cost of only "a loonie" ($1$ Canadian dollar), offering hot meals to the community.

• Computer Lounge: Equipped with approximately $7$ computers, it allows community members to search for jobs, access information, and connect, promoting social interaction.

• Community Referral Office: Assists newcomers from reserves with city navigation, helping them find housing, colleges, universities, or health services. It also facilitates meetings with elders for traditional awareness or counseling.

• Aboriginal Education Programs (Currently on Hold): Previously involved going to schools to share Aboriginal cultural awareness teachings, this program is temporarily suspended due to funding but is planned for reinstatement.

Operational and Visionary Aspects

• Staffing and Volunteers: The center maintains a fluctuating staff of between $55$ and $65$ (including part-time and summer students) and relies heavily on dedicated volunteers, acknowledge as crucial for progress.

• Rental Opportunities: The center rents out its facilities to ministries, government bodies, and various agencies, with a new initiative to encourage Indigenous Chiefs to rent space, redirecting funds back to their communities.

• Facility Renovations: Significant upgrades over the last eleven and a half years include new flooring, roofs, windows, drapes, lighting, and a modern air conditioning and heating system, replacing an old steam system.

• Legacy: Sustainable Economic Development: A key long-term vision is to establish sustainable economic development through social enterprises, aiming to create self-sufficiency and support services. This initiative, moving forward with City Hall councils and partners, aims to launch within the next year and a half, potentially including ventures like a Tim Hortons.

• Youth Center Dream: A specific dream is to establish an independent youth center, enabling young people to pursue their own journeys.

• Social Enterprise for Homeless Support: The center is actively developing social enterprises to address homelessness, aiming to provide job opportunities and support for those on the streets. The goal is to set a template for all $119$ Friendship Centres across Canada.

• Artisan and Sculptor Entrepreneurship: Plans include creating dedicated entrepreneurial spaces for artisans and sculptors, potentially using retrofitted $20$-foot by $10$-foot shipping containers as affordable office spaces (e.g., $10$ a day). A satellite office on Bathurst, near Western Hospital, is also planned.

Philosophy and Community Impact

• Importance of Unity and Collaboration: A central tenet is the belief that progress for Aboriginal people requires leaders to unite, collaborate, and work collectively for the community, moving past divisions and the "I" mentality towards a "we" approach.

• Addressing Resistance to Change: Acknowledges that change is often met with resistance but emphasizes its necessity for Aboriginal people to thrive in the modern economy.

• Growing Demand for Cultural Awareness: The Native Canadian Centre is increasingly being sought out by companies and governments seeking Aboriginal cultural and traditional awareness teachings for their staff, a trend spurred by the $94$ recommendations.

• Propagating the $94$ Recommendations: Highlights the critical need to openly share and educate the public, including new immigrants, about the $94$ recommendations to foster understanding and enable change.

• Correcting Misconceptions: Emphasizes the importance of education to correct misunderstandings (e.g., regarding Aboriginal tax status), acknowledging that people cannot be blamed for what they don't know.

• Transforming Community Engagement: Upon arrival, the speaker implemented a respectful, open-door approach to address issues like visible homelessness and substance use around the building. By treating individuals with dignity and including them in decision-making, behavioral changes were inspired, leading them to find alternative locations when under the influence while still welcoming them back for support when sober.

• Open-Door Policy: A new sign stating "All are welcome" reflects the center's commitment to inclusivity, drawing non-Aboriginal visitors who appreciate its welcoming atmosphere and collaborative spirit.

• Renewed Community Vibrancy: The center has experienced a resurgence in community participation, with families returning to socials, drumming events, and classes, reflecting a positive change and a respectful, vibrant environment. The center aims to fulfill its mandate as a meeting place for learning and cultural reconnection, especially for those whose culture was disrupted.