If you have not heard already, the funding for the Native Friendship Centre of Montreal (NFCM) and the Inter-tribal Youth Centre (ITYC) have been revoked. KANATA members have discovered that the ITYC is effectively shut down due to lack of funds. We are very concerned for the future of these two organizations that do such wonderful work.

Here is a link to a story done by APTN: http://aptn.ca/pages/news/2012/03/23/native-friendship-centre-of-montreal-could-close-its-doors/

We encourage everyone to write a letters of support to advocate for the reinstatement of Aboriginal Friendship Centre Program (AFCP) core funding for 2011-2012 and beyond as well as for the Inter-Tribal Youth Centre under Aboriginal Peoples’ Program: Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth (CCAY). People have the power, and letters, especially individually written ones, do make a difference. 

Here are a list of contacts that you can send your letter of support to:

1.      Le Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec

225, Chef-Max-Gros-Louis, bureau 250
Wendake (Québec)
G0A 4V0
Téléphone : 418-842-6354
Ligne sans frais : 1-877-842-6354

2.      Josee Goulet – Executive director of the regroupement

josee.goulet@rcaaq.info

3.      Edith Cloutier – President of the regroupement

edith.cloutier@caavd-vdnfc.ca
819 825-8299

4.      National Association of Friendship Centres (their President is Jeff Syr).

275 MacLaren Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K2P 0L9

Tel: 613-563-4844
Toll Free: (877) 563-4844
Fax: 613-594-3428

The whole Friendship Centre Movement is funded by the department of Canadian Heritage.

Address:

Canadian Heritage
15 Eddy Street
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M5

Email: info@pch.gc.ca

Telephone: 819-997-0055

Toll-free*: 1-866-811-0055

The minister of Canadian Heritage is James Moore.

Address:

Community Office
James Moore MP
2603 St. John’s Street
Port Moody, BC, V3H 2B5
604.937.5650
James.Moore@parl.gc.ca

Ottawa Office
James Moore MP
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A5
613.992.9650
James.Moore@parl.gc.ca