History
The Labrador Friendship Centre, or the idea of a Labrador Friendship Centre originated in 1973 from work being done by The Company of Young Canadians and the Happy Valley Inuit Association. Workers from both these groups were involved in matters related to the concerns of Aboriginal people who had moved from a rural area on the Coast of Labrador to a more urban setting in Happy Valley - Goose Bay where the population was mainly of Euro-Canadian origin.
Aboriginal people in Happy Valley - Goose Bay were experiencing many problems in making the adjustment to an environment which was totally different from that which they were accustomed to. These problems were associated in areas such as verbal communication (many of the Native people could not understand English), lack of housing, employment, transportation problems and problems with alcohol and the law. A group of concerned citizens who recognized the problems experienced by Native people decided that there should be an organization to assist Native people. From information received from the Company of Young Canadians, it was made aware that there existed in different areas of Canada organizations called Native Friendship Centres. These centres were established to assist Native people who moved from their homes to urban areas. Funding was received from the Department of Secretary of State, Native Citizens Directorate through a program called "The Migrating Native Peoples Program." The ad hoc committee formed decided that they would meet with Secretary of State representatives and Native groups in Labrador to determine the procedure for establishing a Native Friendship Centre in Happy Valley. Results of the meetings proved to be very positive with the Labrador Friendship Centre being structured. The first core funding was received in October 1974.
The first Annual General Assembly was held in October 1975 and Mr. Robert Lyall became its first elected president. In 1992, the Labrador Friendship Centre relocated to 49 Grenfell Street, Happy Valley, Labrador. The new Centre has been named in honour of Robert C. Lyall the first President and founding member of the Labrador Friendship Centre.
The new facility has a number of office spaces, and also offers for rent: a Board Room; a Classroom; a Computer Lab and a Multi-Purpose Room. This space is available to all organizations and individuals. Special consideration is given to non-profit organizations.
Aboriginal people in Happy Valley - Goose Bay were experiencing many problems in making the adjustment to an environment which was totally different from that which they were accustomed to. These problems were associated in areas such as verbal communication (many of the Native people could not understand English), lack of housing, employment, transportation problems and problems with alcohol and the law. A group of concerned citizens who recognized the problems experienced by Native people decided that there should be an organization to assist Native people. From information received from the Company of Young Canadians, it was made aware that there existed in different areas of Canada organizations called Native Friendship Centres. These centres were established to assist Native people who moved from their homes to urban areas. Funding was received from the Department of Secretary of State, Native Citizens Directorate through a program called "The Migrating Native Peoples Program." The ad hoc committee formed decided that they would meet with Secretary of State representatives and Native groups in Labrador to determine the procedure for establishing a Native Friendship Centre in Happy Valley. Results of the meetings proved to be very positive with the Labrador Friendship Centre being structured. The first core funding was received in October 1974.
The first Annual General Assembly was held in October 1975 and Mr. Robert Lyall became its first elected president. In 1992, the Labrador Friendship Centre relocated to 49 Grenfell Street, Happy Valley, Labrador. The new Centre has been named in honour of Robert C. Lyall the first President and founding member of the Labrador Friendship Centre.
The new facility has a number of office spaces, and also offers for rent: a Board Room; a Classroom; a Computer Lab and a Multi-Purpose Room. This space is available to all organizations and individuals. Special consideration is given to non-profit organizations.