The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal (Montreal, QC): Supporting an Urban Indigenous Community in Tiohtià:ke

Introduction

The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal (NFCM) is a non-profit community organization founded in 1974 to enhance the quality of life of urban Indigenous people in Tiohtià:ke (Montreal). It is part of a wider Friendship Centre Movement that began in the 1950s to support Indigenous peoples transitioning to urban areas, now comprising over 100 centres across Canada [1]. NFCM's mission, updated in 2023, is “to foster growth and nurture wellness by honouring culture and providing a place of belonging for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis community members living within Tiohtià:ke” [2]. Its vision is for a “unified First Nation, Inuit, and Métis community in Montreal that is healthy, safe, culturally enriched, and respected by others as equals” [2]. These guiding statements reflect core values of respect, trust, compassion, humility, integrity, engagement, and the central role of Indigenous culture.

The NFCM provides a vital gathering place and “culturally appropriate environment” for Indigenous individuals and families in the city. Importantly, the Centre serves not only local Indigenous residents but also those “migrating to the city or otherwise in transition,” acting as a primary point of referral and support for people arriving from various First Nations communities and Inuit [2]. In essence, the NFCM's mandate is to offer Indigenous-led programs and services that honour Indigenous identities and address the unique challenges faced by urban Indigenous populations [3]. By providing culturally safe social, health, and educational support under one roof, the NFCM strives to fulfill its mission of empowerment and holistic well-being for Indigenous peoples in Montreal [2]. In the following sections, we provide background on the local challenges that NFCM addresses, describe the affected community and its needs, and outline NFCM's recent initiatives in response.

Background: Key Local Challenges

Despite Montreal's reputation as a diverse metropolis, the urban Indigenous community continues to confront multiple systemic challenges. Three core issues that the NFCM works to address are: (A) social exclusion and cultural disconnection, (B) economic marginalization and homelessness, and (C) health disparities and barriers to services. These challenges are deeply interrelated and stem from the legacy of colonialism, systemic discrimination, and socio-economic inequities [4, 5].

(A) Social Exclusion and Cultural Disconnection

Urban Indigenous people often face racism and marginalization in public institutions and society at large. A 2019 Quebec inquiry acknowledged it is “impossible to deny” that Indigenous peoples have been victims of systemic discrimination in the province's public domain [4]. In Montreal, an independent public consultation in 2020 similarly concluded that the city had failed to formally recognize the systemic nature of racism against Indigenous residents, preventing adequate tools to tackle the problem [6, 7]. Indigenous Montrealers frequently report feeling unwelcome or unsafe in mainstream settings such as hospitals, schools, and government offices due to stereotyping and lack of cultural understanding [8]. For example, language barriers, racial bias, and fear of mistreatment have led many to avoid seeking care in the health system [8, 9]. The tragic death of Joyce Echaquan in 2020, an Atikamekw woman who was subjected to racist abuse by hospital staff, starkly revealed the lethal consequences of such systemic racism in Quebec's healthcare, spurring calls for “Joyce's Principle” to ensure culturally safe services [10].

Moreover, urban Indigenous individuals often experience social isolation, having left behind tight-knit home communities and kinship networks. The historical suppression of Indigenous languages, spirituality, and cultural practices, through policies like the Indian Act and residential schools, has caused intergenerational trauma and cultural loss that continues to affect urban Indigenous peoples [11]. The City of Montreal explicitly recognizes that “historic ethnocidal violence caused a strangulation of language and cultural transmission,” and that revitalizing Indigenous cultures in the urban environment is crucial [11]. Without culturally relevant spaces, many Indigenous residents feel “invisible” or alienated in the city's fabric [5].

This social exclusion is compounded by experiences of over-policing: studies show Indigenous people in Montreal have been disproportionately subjected to police street checks, at rates four to six times higher than white residents [12]. Indigenous women and elders are especially likely to be profiled by police or security [5], which further erodes trust in institutions. The combination of everyday discrimination, lack of cultural support, and over-surveillance creates a social environment where Indigenous Montrealers can feel neither safe nor fully respected as equals [4, 13]. All these factors underscore the need for culturally anchored services and advocacy, roles that the NFCM actively fulfills by providing a welcoming community hub and promoting cross-cultural understanding in the wider society [2].

(B) Economic Marginalization and Homelessness

Socioeconomic disparities are another major challenge for the urban Indigenous community. Indigenous people in Montreal experience high rates of poverty, unemployment, and housing insecurity relative to the general population [5, 14]. A provincial survey in 2018 found that approximately 66% of Indigenous respondents in Montreal were living on extremely low incomes (under $750 per month), relying on welfare, disability benefits, or pensions, while about 33% were unemployed [5, 14]. Such financial precarity is vastly disproportionate; by comparison, the median employment income for Indigenous people Canada-wide was around $26,000, already far below non-Indigenous averages [15]. Lower educational attainment contributes to this economic marginalization: for instance, only 45% of Inuit in 2016 had obtained a high school diploma, versus 89% of non-Indigenous Montrealers [5].

These conditions translate into an acute risk of homelessness. Indigenous people are dramatically overrepresented among Montreal's homeless population. In the 2018 municipal homeless count, Indigenous individuals comprised about 12% of all people experiencing homelessness in Montreal, despite forming less than 1% of the city's total population [13, 16]. This means an Indigenous person in Montreal was roughly 27 times more likely to be homeless than a non-Indigenous person, according to that count [16]. The disparity is even starker for Inuit: Inuit account for a large share of Indigenous homelessness in the city, with an estimated 40 to 45% of Indigenous people experiencing chronic homelessness in Montreal being Inuit, far out of proportion to Inuit being only about 3 to 5% of the local Indigenous populace [17]. In fact, Inuit were found to be around 80 times more likely to be homeless than non-Indigenous residents in 2018 [16].

These statistics reflect not only current poverty but also the ripple effects of housing crises in northern communities, which drive many Inuit to Montreal in search of shelter and services [18]. Once in the city, Indigenous people often face discrimination in the housing market and limited access to affordable housing, resulting in high rates of hidden homelessness (couch-surfing, overcrowded apartments) in addition to visible street homelessness [19]. Indigenous women in the city are particularly vulnerable, and they often avoid shelters due to safety concerns, rendering their homelessness less visible [18, 20]. The chronic underfunding of social housing and shelters exacerbates the issue. Montreal's Indigenous shelter providers struggle for resources, as prevention programs and culturally appropriate housing “certainly don't produce immediate results” and thus have been underprioritized in funding [13]. For example, in recent years the City of Montreal allocated over $600 million annually to its police budget but only around $3 million to homelessness initiatives, a stark imbalance criticized by advocates [21].

This economic and policy context leaves many Indigenous people trapped in cycles of homelessness or extreme poverty. The consequences are far-reaching: homelessness exposes individuals to greater risks of violence, victimization, mental health crises, and criminalization [16]. Indigenous people experiencing homelessness in Montreal are more likely to be ticketed or arrested for minor offenses (e.g., loitering), reflecting what researchers call the “judicialization” of homelessness through social profiling [12, 22]. This not only burdens individuals with legal troubles but also strains community relations. Recognizing these realities, the NFCM has made combatting Indigenous homelessness and economic marginalization core priorities, through providing shelter, basic needs assistance, and advocacy for systemic change.

(C) Health Disparities and Barriers to Services

A third interlocking challenge is the disparity in health outcomes and access to healthcare for Indigenous Montrealers. Although urban centres like Montreal have many modern health services, Indigenous people do not enjoy equitable health status or care experiences. In general, Indigenous populations in Canada face higher rates of chronic illnesses, mental health issues, and shorter life expectancy compared to non-Indigenous populations, rooted in social determinants like poverty and the intergenerational trauma of colonization [9, 23]. In the urban context, these health issues are compounded by significant barriers to accessing care. A systematic review of urban Indigenous health access found common obstacles including poor communication with providers, lack of trust, racism in healthcare settings, long wait times, and fear or avoidance of hospitals [9]. All of these factors are reported in Montreal's Indigenous community. Many Indigenous individuals in the city do not have a family doctor or feel uncomfortable using public clinics and hospitals due to past negative experiences [8, 9].

Culturally unsafe treatment, ranging from insensitive comments to overt prejudice, has led to deep mistrust. For example, Inuit patients from Nunavik who come to Montreal for specialized treatment often encounter language barriers (as services are primarily in English or French), and some have recounted being treated with disdain or misunderstanding by hospital staff [8]. Such experiences deter people from seeking care until problems become acute. Mental health and addiction are areas of pressing concern: Indigenous people nationwide suffer higher rates of substance use disorders (approximately 25% versus 17% in the general population) and report more unmet mental health needs. In Montreal, outreach workers note a high prevalence of trauma, depression, and anxiety among community members, linked to both historical trauma and the stresses of urban life [2].

Yet, mainstream mental health services are often not utilized effectively by Indigenous clients, who may feel those services lack cultural sensitivity or holistic approaches. The consequences of this gap are visible. For instance, Indigenous peoples account for a disproportionate number of mental health crisis interventions and are also overrepresented in the child welfare and correctional systems, which often function as defaults when health supports fail [4, 20]. The Viens Commission (2019) specifically highlighted the lack of culturally adapted health and social services for Indigenous people in urban Quebec, recommending the expansion of Indigenous-run front-line services. In line with that, government investments have recently been directed toward Indigenous friendship centres to establish community-based health programs [4].

Another aspect of health disparity is the broader concept of Indigenous well-being that includes connection to land, community, and culture. Scholars note that conventional measures of homelessness or health do not capture Indigenous experiences fully; for example, Indigenous homelessness has been defined as “the result of individuals, families, and communities being isolated from their relationships to land, water, kin, and culture” [24]. By this understanding, many urban Indigenous people are “unwell” or spiritually homeless even if housed, because they are disconnected from their traditional lands and community support systems. This underscores why culturally grounded community centres and programs are essential to healing and well-being. Overall, the health challenges faced by Indigenous Montrealers are not just medical but socio-cultural. The NFCM, by providing culturally safe health initiatives and facilitating access to care, aims to bridge these gaps and improve health equity.

The Affected Community and Its Needs

Montreal is home to a diverse urban Indigenous community that has grown significantly in recent decades. Its needs can be understood through its demographics, its lived experiences of mobility, and the overrepresentation of its members in negative social statistics.

Population and Demographics

According to the 2021 Canadian census, approximately 15,300 Indigenous people live in the city of Montreal, representing about 0.9% of the city's population [15]. This reflects a substantial increase from 2016, when around 12,000 (0.6%) identified as Indigenous in Montreal [7]. Indeed, the urban Indigenous population in Montreal expanded by over 200% between 2001 and 2016, a trend attributed partly to increasing self-identification and migration to the city [6, 7]. When considering the Greater Montreal region, some estimates put the Indigenous population at roughly 46,000 [15], indicating that many Indigenous people reside in suburban areas or move between the city and surrounding communities.

The community is pan-Indigenous, comprising members of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis backgrounds. Of those in Montreal (city) who identified as Indigenous in 2021, about 52.7% were First Nations (North American Indian), 37.3% were Métis, and 3.5% were Inuit [15]. The First Nations category in Montreal includes people from many of the ten First Nations of Quebec (such as Mohawk, Cree, Innu, Algonquin, Atikamekw, Mi'kmaq, Huron-Wendat, Abenaki, Maliseet, and Naskapi), as well as individuals from First Nations outside Quebec. The Inuit population in Montreal, while smaller in absolute number (around 540 counted in the 2021 census), is notable; Montreal hosts one of the largest Inuit communities in southern Canada [17]. Local estimates suggest there may be closer to 1,000 to 1,500 Inuit present when including transient residents, with the vast majority originating from Nunavik (northern Quebec) and others from Nunavut and Labrador [17].

The Métis community in Montreal has also grown, reflecting both migration and increased affirmation of Métis identity; many Métis in Montreal have roots in the Prairies or Ontario, while others are from Quebec [15]. The urban Indigenous population is relatively young. The average age of Indigenous residents in Montreal is about 40 years, slightly younger than the non-Indigenous average (40.6), and Indigenous children under 15 make up 17% of the Indigenous population (versus approximately 15% for non-Indigenous children) [15]. This indicates a community with many young families and youth.

Lived Experiences, Mobility, and Migration

The urban Indigenous community in Montreal is highly dynamic. Many individuals have migrated from their home communities, often remote reserves or northern villages, to Montreal in search of education, employment, health care, or safer living conditions [18, 25]. For instance, Inuit from Nunavik frequently travel to Montreal for specialized medical treatment (such as hospital care not available in the Arctic); at any given time, a few hundred Nunavimmiut may be in the city for health services, accompanied by family members [17]. Some of these temporary visitors end up staying longer or relocating permanently, especially if returning home is difficult due to housing shortages or personal circumstances [26]. In fact, about two-thirds of Inuit in Montreal are originally from Nunavik, reflecting a strong north-to-south linkage [17]. Likewise, First Nations people often move to Montreal from reserves across Quebec, such as Cree and Algonquin from northern regions, Mohawks from Kahnawà:ke and Kanesatake, and Innu from the North Shore, seeking jobs or higher education in the city [6].

This mobility means the community is constantly in flux, with new arrivals “in transition” without stable roots in the city, and others moving back and forth. This creates challenges in accessing services, securing housing, and building social support networks. Newcomers may not know where to find help or may face culture shock adjusting to an urban lifestyle that is very different from life in a small Indigenous community [1]. The lived experiences of Indigenous people in Montreal are shaped by both the opportunities and the hardships of city life.

Overrepresentation in Poverty, Violence, and Homelessness

Another lived reality is overrepresentation in negative social statistics. Indigenous Montrealers are disproportionately affected by homelessness, poverty, and violence, as discussed earlier. This overrepresentation is often the cumulative result of multiple systems failing them. For instance, a high proportion of Indigenous people experiencing homelessness in Montreal have been through the child welfare system or have migrated after aging out of foster care [20, 27]. Many Indigenous women in the city are survivors of violence or trafficking; they face elevated risks of going missing or being murdered, a fact underscored by the national MMIWG Inquiry, which highlighted urban areas as sites where Indigenous women's vulnerability is exacerbated [20].

Indeed, lack of safe housing and income can lead some women to precarious situations; the Inquiry found that homelessness and involvement in survival sex work are contributing factors in some disappearances [20]. The community also deals with high rates of substance use, partly as a coping mechanism for trauma. Front-line workers in Montreal have noted significant issues with alcohol and opioids among segments of the Indigenous homeless population. However, it is important to stress that the urban Indigenous community is not defined solely by challenges. It is a community of resilience, cultural richness, and mutual support. Indigenous residents of Montreal have formed various grassroots networks and initiatives to help one another, from informal kinship circles providing childcare to elders' groups to Indigenous street outreach teams [28].

Montreal's Indigenous organizations, including the NFCM and others, work collaboratively as a network (Réseau) to coordinate services [13]. They share information on clients who move between shelters, plan joint cultural events, and advocate collectively to municipal and provincial authorities. There is a strong emphasis on cultural revitalization: for example, Native Montreal (an Indigenous-run family centre founded in 2014) offers language classes in Inuktitut and Cree and recently opened a family health clinic staffed by Indigenous practitioners [29]. Such efforts, alongside NFCM's programs, aim to restore the sense of community and cultural continuity that urbanization can disrupt.

Demographically, the community is becoming more visible and vocal. Younger Indigenous Montrealers, including students and professionals, are engaging in public discourse, whether through organizing the annual Indigenous Presence festival, creating Indigenous student associations at universities, or serving on the City's Indigenous Affairs advisory committee. In 2018, Montreal appointed its first Commissioner of Indigenous Relations at City Hall, a step that came from community advocacy [11]. The City's 2020 to 2025 reconciliation strategy was developed in collaboration with Indigenous community representatives and acknowledges many of the aforementioned issues, committing to actions like supporting Indigenous social housing, improving safety, and celebrating Indigenous cultural presence [11].

The lived experiences of Indigenous Montrealers are shaped by the need to navigate between two worlds: the urban, Western-oriented mainstream and their own Indigenous values and traditions. Organizations like the NFCM serve as crucial bridges between these worlds, advocating for the community's rights and providing a sense of belonging in an often indifferent or hostile cityscape. As Leilani Shaw, Executive Director of the Montreal Indigenous Community Network, stated, “The current systems and structures are not adapted to our community and what we need in order to thrive” [13]. This sentiment encapsulates why the services and support provided by NFCM and its partners are so vital for the well-being of Indigenous people in Montreal.

The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal's Programs and Initiatives Addressing Local Challenges

Since 2018, the Native Friendship Centre of Montreal has expanded and adapted its programs to address the core challenges outlined above. Through new services, enhanced programming, and strategic partnerships, NFCM has been actively working to fill gaps and improve conditions for the urban Indigenous community. The Centre's recent activities fall into three main areas: (a) homelessness outreach and basic needs support, (b) health and wellness services, and (c) cultural revitalization and community partnerships.

(a) Homelessness Outreach and Basic Needs Support

Responding to the acute overrepresentation of Indigenous people among Montreal's homeless, NFCM has significantly bolstered its outreach and support services. A cornerstone initiative is the Ka'wáhse Street Patrol, a mobile intervention team that operates in downtown Montreal to assist unhoused or at-risk Indigenous individuals. This program, which has been running for several years and scaled up recently, provides on-the-ground relief and connection to services. Patrol workers conduct van and foot rounds multiple evenings per week, checking on the well-being and safety of Indigenous people on the streets. In 2022 to 2023, for example, the Street Patrol performed 356 patrol outings and conducted over 4,300 interventions, ranging from wellness checks to crisis de-escalation. The patrol distributes food, water, warm clothing, blankets, hygiene kits, and harm-reduction supplies (e.g., clean needles), directly addressing the basic needs of those who might not use shelters.

Importantly, staff also offer counselling, “active listening,” and coaching on-site, building trustful relationships with clients. They transport willing individuals to shelters, detox centres, or medical facilities when needed, effectively acting as navigators through the urban services system. A notable feature of NFCM's approach is the integration of cultural support into outreach: the Street Patrol organizes weekly “Cultural Night” gatherings at the Centre, inviting community members (many of them homeless) to share a hot meal, drum, sing, or partake in traditional activities in a safe environment [30]. This culturally grounded engagement helps reduce social isolation and reconnects individuals to a sense of identity and community, even as they struggle with life on the streets [30].

Alongside outreach, the Kaie:ri:nikawera:ke Day Centre at NFCM's facility offers a daytime drop-in space where Indigenous people who are homeless or otherwise vulnerable can rest, shower, do laundry, use computers, and access social services. The day centre, which has been in operation since the late 2010s, serves dozens of clients daily and provides two hot meals per day [3]. It is staffed by Indigenous support workers who can respond to immediate needs and connect clients to longer-term resources like housing workers or treatment programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFCM notably kept its day centre open (with health precautions) and increased its capacity, recognizing that many other shelters had reduced [30]. The Centre also adapted by creating more mobile services, delivering food baskets and care packages to those in temporary housing or encampments when people could not come in person [30]. In partnership with Moisson Montreal (the city's main food bank), NFCM scaled up a food security initiative: between April 2022 and March 2023, the Centre distributed nearly 1,900 food baskets, amounting to over 22,500 kg of food for Indigenous families in need.

NFCM has forged partnerships with various agencies to strengthen these efforts. For example, it works closely with Projets Autochtones du Québec (PAQ), an Indigenous shelter organization, to ensure clients move between the shelter and NFCM day services seamlessly [31]. It also collaborates with the municipal government and police on innovative safety projects. In 2021, NFCM partnered with the Montreal police (SPVM) and the Borough of Ville-Marie to pilot an Indigenous Mediator team in the Milton-Parc area, where tensions had arisen between homeless Indigenous people (some camping in parks) and local residents. NFCM's Indigenous mediators, alongside SPVM's Indigenous liaison officer, worked to diffuse conflicts, educate police and residents on cultural awareness, and find collaborative solutions [31]. This approach aimed to prevent criminalization and improve the sense of safety for all, and has been cited as a promising practice in urban Indigenous public safety [31]. By maintaining a presence both on the streets and at decision-making tables (such as the city's homelessness committee), NFCM ensures Indigenous voices and needs are included in broader urban responses to homelessness.

(b) Health and Wellness Services

Since 2018, NFCM has made major strides in delivering health and wellness programs tailored to the Indigenous community. One landmark achievement was the opening of an on-site Nurse-Led Health Clinic in January 2022. This initiative, a collaboration with McGill University's Ingram School of Nursing and Doctors of the World Canada, represents a culturally safe primary care service operating out of the Friendship Centre. The clinic was launched in response to the barriers Indigenous people faced in the mainstream health system; it provides an accessible, trauma-informed setting where clients can receive medical care without fear of judgment or racism.

During its first full year (2022 to 2023), the Nurse-Led Clinic served 329 unique Indigenous clients through 1,144 medical consultations, addressing a range of health issues. The clinic's nurse practitioner and rotating volunteer physicians offer services such as health assessments, treatment of acute illnesses or injuries, management of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, wound care (important for those living on the street), foot care, sexual health services, and mental health support. The care is holistic: beyond treating ailments, the clinic staff provide health education (e.g., about nutrition or managing medications), preventive care (like vaccinations and screenings), and follow-up support to ensure continuity. Recognizing the importance of outreach, the clinic team even conducts home visits to elders or mobility-limited clients and goes out to find street-involved individuals who need medical attention but would not come to a hospital.

By bringing care to people on their terms, the NFCM clinic has lowered the threshold for Indigenous community members to get help. It operates with cultural protocols (patients can smudge or pray if they wish, and staff are trained in cultural competency) and often integrates Indigenous practices; for instance, the clinic has been working to eventually include a traditional healer on its team [8]. The success of the clinic has been notable; demand quickly exceeded capacity, demonstrating the previously unmet need. In response, NFCM has been working to expand clinic hours and services. This NFCM clinic aligns with broader provincial efforts (post-Viens Commission) to fund culturally safe Indigenous health services in urban centres [31].

Another key initiative on the wellness front is the Mental Wellness Support Program, launched in April 2022. This program provides free psychotherapy and counselling access to Indigenous community members, bridging a critical gap in mental health care. Through the program, NFCM coordinates a roster of licensed therapists (some Indigenous, some non-Indigenous allies) who can offer sessions to referred clients at no cost. Sessions are available in-person or online, ensuring flexibility. In its first year, this program saw overwhelming uptake; dozens of individuals accessed therapy who otherwise could not afford or feel comfortable with mainstream services. By covering the costs and handling referrals, NFCM effectively created a culturally sensitive mental health referral system. NFCM has continued to recruit more Indigenous trauma therapists and expand awareness of the service.

Additionally, NFCM offers on-site talking circles, traditional healing circles, and Elders' counselling as less formal mental health supports embedded in community activities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centre also increased its focus on elders and family wellness: staff conducted regular check-in calls and deliveries for Indigenous seniors isolated in the city and provided virtual cultural activity packs to families with young children at home [30]. The Canadian Red Cross partnered with NFCM in 2020 to 2021 to support these efforts, supplying resources like mobile phones for outreach workers and emergency material aid (blankets, PPE, etc.) that NFCM distributed to community members in need [30]. NFCM's holistic approach to health extends beyond clinical services. It includes advocacy: the Centre often helps clients navigate the health system, for example, by assigning an “Indigenous navigator” to accompany someone to a hospital appointment to ensure they are treated fairly [8]. In late 2023, NFCM began collaborating with a new independent Indigenous health centre (the Indigenous Health Centre of Tiohtià:ke) to coordinate patient transportation for those living far from medical facilities. Through the nurse-led clinic, mental wellness program, and health advocacy, NFCM is actively addressing the healthcare disparities identified in the community.

(c) Cultural Revitalization and Community Partnerships

In addition to direct services, the NFCM has recently engaged in initiatives aimed at strengthening cultural identity and community connections, which are fundamental to long-term social improvement. The Centre regularly hosts workshops on traditional crafts (e.g., moccasin-making, beading), drumming and singing sessions, language classes (when funding permits, e.g., basic Inuktitut or Anishinaabemowin lessons), and seasonal cultural ceremonies. For example, NFCM holds annual events for National Indigenous Peoples Day and the Winter Solstice, bringing together community members to celebrate with dancing, feasting, and ceremony. These activities, while sometimes seen as “soft” services, play a crucial role in healing and empowerment. They allow urban Indigenous individuals, many of whom may feel a disconnect from their heritage, to reclaim pride in their identities and bond with others who share similar experiences. Especially for youth, cultural programming has been a means of prevention: instilling a strong sense of identity can protect against the alienation that leads to issues like gang involvement or substance use [29].

The NFCM, along with Native Montreal and other groups, has also partnered on language revitalization initiatives under programs like the NAFC's Urban Indigenous Languages project [29]. In recent years, NFCM increased engagement of elders and knowledge keepers in its programs. It established an Elders Advisory Circle in 2019 to guide culturally appropriate service delivery. Elders now frequently visit the Centre (or participate via Zoom) to lead prayers, teachings, and one-on-one counselling. This has enhanced the cultural safety of NFCM's environment; community members see familiar faces and feel a sense of kinship rather than a bureaucratic service. During the pandemic, when gatherings were restricted, NFCM innovated by holding some cultural activities outdoors in parks or distributing cultural kits (sage, sweetgrass, craft materials) to people's homes so they could practice traditions privately.

NFCM has actively partnered with various stakeholders to address systemic issues. It is a member of the Montreal Indigenous Community NETWORK, collaborating on joint advocacy such as pushing for more Indigenous housing. In 2019, NFCM joined other organizations in successfully lobbying the City of Montreal to commit to supporting an Indigenous housing project [11]. It also works with the Quebec government through the Réseau des centres d'amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ), which in 2021 secured provincial funding to enhance friendship centre infrastructure and justice support programs [31]. Through RCAAQ, NFCM helped implement the PAJIC (Programme d'accompagnement justice et intervention communautaire) in Montreal; a justice accompaniment program that diverts Indigenous offenders into community healing rather than jail, launched at NFCM in June 2022 [31]. This program involves an Indigenous courtworker based at the Centre who assists Indigenous individuals navigating the criminal justice system, ensuring Gladue principles (consideration of Indigenous circumstances) are applied and connecting clients to culturally appropriate rehabilitation. The introduction of PAJIC at NFCM is a significant step in reducing the over-incarceration of Indigenous people through community-led interventions.

On the municipal level, NFCM has been a go-to advisor for city agencies: it sits on the City of Montreal's Indigenous Affairs committee and was consulted in developing the City's reconciliation strategy [11]. It has worked with police on cultural awareness training for officers, with local health authorities on adapting services (for example, advising the public health department's 2022 homeless count on how to better reach Indigenous participants), and with institutions like hospitals and universities on improving Indigenous inclusion. The Centre's staff and members frequently give workshops or talks about Indigenous history and realities to non-Indigenous audiences in Montreal, thereby advancing the goal of cross-cultural understanding. This educational role helps combat ignorance and prejudice in the broader society, a long-term effort toward reconciliation.

One of the most telling developments of recent years is the increase in Indigenous-specific services in Montreal, to which NFCM has contributed. For instance, in 2023 the city saw the opening of two new Indigenous-run health initiatives: NFCM's own clinic and the independent Indigenous Health Centre of Tiohtià:ke (a clinic focusing on primary care, opened by a group of Indigenous health professionals). In spring 2024, Native Montreal inaugurated a culturally respectful family health clinic as well [29]. These openings are the fruit of years of advocacy and project development in which NFCM and others collaborated, illustrating a positive trend of capacity-building by urban Indigenous organizations. Similarly, more funding has been flowing into prevention programs. In 2021 to 2022, for example, the federal government (through Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples) and provincial government invested in NFCM to strengthen organizational capacity and deliver new youth and family programs [25]. NFCM has used these funds to hire additional social workers and youth coordinators. A youth program initiated recently engages Indigenous teens in Montreal through arts, sports, and mentorship, aiming to improve educational outcomes and provide positive role models. Such programs mark a proactive approach to breaking cycles of marginalization by empowering the next generation.

Turn Community Insight into Action

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Sample questions for engaged research:

• 1. How do culturally safe, Indigenous-led primary care services such as NFCM's Nurse-Led Clinic affect health-seeking behaviours, continuity of care, and self-reported well-being among urban Indigenous community members in Montreal?

• 2. What combinations of outreach, day-centre supports, and cultural programming most effectively reduce the risk of chronic homelessness and justice-system involvement for Indigenous people who are newly arrived to the city?

• 3. How does participation in Elders-led and language-based cultural activities at urban Friendship Centres influence identity, resilience, and mental wellness outcomes among Indigenous youth?

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