Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres

The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) is a leading advocacy and support organization representing 31 Friendship Centres across urban and rural communities throughout Ontario. Based in Toronto, ON, OFIFC coordinates a network of not-for-profit and charity corporations dedicated to serving the needs of urban Indigenous people through culturally appropriate services and community-based programming. The organization provides comprehensive support across multiple service areas, including research, policy advocacy, training, and program development that strengthen Friendship Centre operations across the province. OFIFC works to expand the range and influence of Friendship Centre initiatives by conducting research on urban Indigenous issues, advocating for policy changes that benefit Indigenous communities, and offering training and technical support to member organizations. With approximately 88% of Ontario's Indigenous population living in urban and rural areas, OFIFC's network has a wide-ranging impact across the province, helping to improve outcomes in health, housing, mental health care, education, and youth development. The organization serves as a unified voice for urban Indigenous communities, coordinating collaborative efforts to ensure equal access to services and participation in Canadian society while maintaining cultural distinctiveness and Indigenous identity. OFIFC's commitment to self-determined activities and culturally-based programming has directly contributed to increased prosperity and well-being in Friendship Centre communities throughout Ontario.