The Odawa Native Friendship Centre offers a full calendar of events including programs for all age groups and needs, cultural events and social/recreational activities. We welcome any suggestions and support from the community in expanding our services.

Programs

Aboriginal Community Justice Program
New program at Odawa to give support to the Aboriginal community on justice and court related issues.


Aboriginal Family Support Program
This program offers support to children (ages 0-6) and their families through culturally appropriate holistic program services and special events.

Aboriginal Healthy Babies Program
This program is for parents of young children.  The Aboriginal Healthy Babies Program is designed to ensure that all Aboriginal families and their children 0-6 who are at risk of physical, emotional, mental and social problems have access to effective, consistent early intervention services.

Akwe:go Program
This program has been specifically designed to provide comprehensive support to urban Aboriginal children between the ages of 7-12 who are at risk. We will provide urban Aboriginal children with the support, tools and healthy programming to build upon and foster their inherent ability to make healthy choices.

Dreamcatchers Youth Program
The Dreamcatchers Youth Program (DYP) empowers Aboriginal Youth through holistic and culturally appropriate youth driven programs and services.  DYP instills traditional Aboriginal values that address the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual needs of Urban Aboriginal Youth.

Employment Referral and Training Program
The program maintains ongoing communications, promotes and provides work experiences and directs clients to government and non-government employers; it also provides pre-employment services to help find and maintain employment.

Healing And Wellness Program
Promotes healthy lifestyles and reduces family violence through culture based programming and healing and intervention initiatives.

Leaders of Tomorrow - Youth Leadership Program
Provides urban Aboriginal youth currently attending high school or post secondary with a one day a week program promoting leadership skills. Aboriginal youth from 16-25 years old, Status, Non-Status, Métis or Inuit are eligible.

Life Long Care Program
A program designed to respond to the life long care needs of older Aboriginal people who may have limited mobility related to a persistent medical condition or physical disabliity.

Parents as Teachers (PAT)
(Program currently not available until further notice)
To provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the  crucial early years of life.

Shawenjeagamik Aboriginal Drop In Centre
An Aboriginal Drop In Centre for First Nations, Inuit and Metis people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.

Sweetgrass Home Child Care Agency
Co-ordinates home day care specifically designed to meet the needs of the Native community in the region.

Urban Aboriginal Alternate High School
Alternative High School for Aboriginal Youth.

Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living Program
Promoting healthy lifestyles for Ottawa's Aboriginal Population.

Urban Aboriginal Homeless Initiative
Serving Ottawa's Aboriginal Homeless people with fresh meals & support services distributed weekdays via the outreach van.

Wasa-Nabin Youth Program
The Wasa-Nabin Urban Aboriginal Youth Program provides urban Aboriginal youth between the ages of 13–18 with the support, tools and healthy activities to make healthy choices. The Program provides support and guidance in a cultural framework for youth who are at risk for specific negative behaviours.

Recreation - Odawa offers a wide variety of recreational and physical fitness activities such as fitness classes, tournaments and social gatherings. The Healthy Living Program holds activities all week..

Cultural Awareness - This is an important element of Odawa's activities. Each program builds in cultural practices and/or ceremonies. The Annual Odawa Festival of Aboriginal Culture also increase cultural awareness among both Native and non-Native people in the region. Check our events section for current cultural events listings or call us for more information.

Support/Information Referral - the Friendship Centre provides information and referral services to all Aboriginal people who require assistance in some way. If a service is beyond our capability, the case will be referred to the appropriate agency. We also work closely with a number of groups, organizations and agencies that support the Aboriginal community in the Capital region.