Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre
Box 5399
4711–50 Avenue
Bonnyville, AB T9N 2G5
Website: www.bcnfc.com
Email: bcnfced@incentre.net
Telephone: (780) 826–3374
Fast Facts
In 2006/07 the Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre served over 22,000 people.
There are over 875 people in the Bonnyville region that are described as people of Aboriginal origin (First Nation, Métis and Inuit).
Vision for the Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre
Our vision is to bridge the socio economic gap by promoting independence and self reliance which will inevitably create more balanced and harmonious communities.
The Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre’s role in the community is to act as a bridge that promotes and sponsors programming that will address some of the social issues that prevent our clients and membership from attaining independence. Programming that addresses these social issues will create a more independent people that will serve the greater good of all. Therefore, it is our mission to work together with funding agencies, government, local governments and local service providers, and the private sector to promote, sponsor and host programming that will advocate self reliance and independence; which will in turn enhance the social and economic development of the communities we serve.
A Brief History of the Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre
The Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre was established in 1971 as a non-profit society. The founders saw a community divided by social and economic disparities. They saw a need for an organization that can act as a bridge to bring these two distinct classes of people closer together. The founders saw a need to develop and sponsor programming that would foster self-reliance and self-sufficiency to meet the client’s basic needs and to assist low income families.
Programs and Service Highlights
- Aboriginal Headstart Program
- Adult Recreation
- Art and Craft Classes
- Business Development
- Children - Summer Programs
- Community Development
- Community Feasts & Dinners (Christmas & Thanksgiving)
- Community Referral
- Community Wellness
- Corrections – Fine Option
- Court Liaison
- Cree Literacy
- Crime Prevention
- Cultural Awareness
- Cultural Camps
- Cultural Programming
- Elders Programs
- Economic Development
- Employment Services
- Family Violence and Bullying
- Food Bank
- Justice Committee
- Liaison Support
- Soup Kitchen
- Sports and Fitness Program
- Student Summer Employment
- Technology Resource Information Centre
- Aboriginal Youth Club
- Youth Meetings
- Youth Recreation
- Youth Arts/Crafts
Thoughts on the Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre
"The Friendship Centre means that it is a place to meet & visit people. I strongly believe in the pipe ceremonies that centre has. I strongly believe this centre can be strong with involvement with the young people and elders. Today, it is a place of happiness, with knowledgeable young staff."
—Bonnyville Elder
"The Centre has impacted my life through my interaction with other elders and through my participation at the Head Start as visiting Elder or Kokum and my involvement in the Youth Justice Committee and Aboriginal Youth Centre."
—Bonnyville Elder
"The Friendship Centre means that Ill always have a place to go and have fun and feel safe."
—Bonnyville Elder
"The Friendship Centre has taught me how to be a responsible citizen in my town as well as a trusted member. It also taught me how to respect my elders as well as my younger peers."
—Bonnyville Youth
