Since its origin many people have availed of the services and programs offered by the Labrador Friendship Centre. However, the Centre is concerned that even today there are persons in Labrador whom do not frequent the Centre, use its services or become involved because they are unsure of what the Centre's purpose is. The staff of the Labrador Friendship Centre hope by distributing this information that everyone will better understand the purpose of the Centre.

The mission statement of the Centre is "that it will endeavour to provide the best possible services to enrich the lives of the Inuit, Innu and Metis of Labrador through the provision and implementation of social, cultural, health, educational, employment and developmental initiatives."

The Labrador Friendship Centre offers the following:

• United Cultures Youth Centre
  
• Cultural Activities
  
• Facilities for training
  
• Aboriginal Family Centre - Early Childhood Development
  
• Drumdancer Art & Crafts Shop
  
• Correctional Program
  
• Food Bank
  
• Seniors Transportation
  
• Activities for Seniors and Children
  

The staff provide assistance relating to education, housing, social, health, letter writing, etc.

This question may seem strange but it is one which is asked a number of times. The Centre is not owned by anyone or any group in the way that one can own a house. The Centre belongs to the people of Labrador. According to its constitution every Aboriginal person in Labrador is a member of the Friendship Centre. That means the Centre is there for you, the Aboriginal person, and as such you can feel it is yours. This is not only a Centre for Inuit, Innu or Metis people but for all people!

You can help by utilizing the services it provides, by repacting others that come to the Centre and by making suggestions and recommendations that would result in postive change. If there are things you are uncomfortable with, please let us know. We encourage people to use the hostel when in town. The hostel was built to alleviate a concern for the people coming to Happy Valley - Goose Bay for medical or other reasons and who could not afford to stay in a Hotel or who had no where else to stay.

Yes. It is important to remember that the Centre was established to provide assistance first and foremost to Aboriginal people. However, because the Centre exercises an open door policy it will provide such assistance to any person in need if it is capable of providing such assistance. Some programs and projects are restricted solely for Aboriginal people as a result of the criteria imposed by particular funding sources.

The organization began in 1974 with the Annual General Assembly held in October 1975.

There are ten elected positions on the Board. There is also a non elected position of past president. At each Annual General Assembly five positions are open for election, each for a two year term. This will allow for continuity on the Board.

You are welcome to drop by the Centre at any time and visit. We are located at 49 Grenfell Street, Happy Valley - Goose Bay, Labrador. You can call us at (709) 896-8302 or you can write to us at the following address:

Labrador Friendship Centre
P. O. Box 767, Stn. B
Happy Valley - Goose Bay, NL
A0P 1E0