Halifax Regional Municipality, Traditional Unceded Mi'kmaw Territory, Nova Scotia -Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre and Indigenous Services Canada
Today, the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre hosted a Sprouting Ceremony to mark the start of early site work for its new centre, the Wije'winen Centre. This moment marks a significant step forward in creating a safe, permanent, and culturally grounded space for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people living in or transitioning to urban centres in Halifax.
Pamela Glode-Desrochers, Executive Director of the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre, was joined at the Sprouting Ceremony by the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West and Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, joining on behalf of the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services. The construction was supported by a $28.8 million investment provided in 2022 by Indigenous Services Canada through the Major Infrastructure funding stream of the Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples (UPIP) program and additional funding through the National Association of Friendship Centres.
For over 50 years, the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre has been a central hub for urban Indigenous people in Halifax. It delivers more than 55 programs and services, including early childhood education, employment and housing supports, harm reduction, justice programs, and cultural revitalization. The new centre will expand this work and serve more than 7,000 urban Indigenous clients annually in a space designed by and for the community.
The Wije'winen centre will provide a purpose-built space for the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre to continue and grow its essential services, including education, employment, housing, harm reduction, cultural programming, and justice supports. More than just a building, Wije'winen will stand as a visible and lasting reflection of Mi'kmaw culture in the heart of downtown Halifax.
