Our Programs
Pimacihowin Housing
.png)
​This team provides intensive case management and housing support to chronically homeless Indigenous individuals and families who have been continually homeless. Rooted in Indigenous culture, this program has a strong emphasis on connecting participants with ceremony, traditional practice, community and cultural activities in support of their healing journey and housing stability. Pimacihowin serves those who are currently homeless and are willing to work with a case manager on a housing plan.
Nanâtawihowin Cultural Connections
The Cultural Connections Team takes a lead role in providing Indigenous Cultural Supports to the staff at the Friendship Centre, our programs, partners, and community at large. Our team members are passionate about helping others on their healing journey.
Four Directions
The focus of this Team is to provide support to families and individuals through Indigenous culture & traditions. Using the Medicine Wheel teachings as a way of life we provide the necessary tools to parents and families to; promote positive health outcomes, improve parenting coping abilities, address behaviors which may place a child, family or community at risk, prevent unnecessary long term out-of-home placement of children, promote reunification of families, address and support families cultural needs in the home and in the community, and provide health awareness workshops.
Housing Intake Forms
Click on the button below to download our housing intake form. This can be emailed to friendship@rdnfs.com or directly to your housing case manager.
Pimacihowin Housing Programs & Services
ABORIGINAL INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT
Provides intensive case management and housing support to chronically homeless Aboriginal individuals and families that have been continually homeless.
​
To be a participant you must:
-
Be willing to work with a case manager on a housing plan
-
be willing to work with a case manager weekly including home visits
-
attend educational sessions and programs recommended at the Friendship Centre
RAPID REHOUSING
Participates in the Coordinated Access Process (CAP) with other Agencies who provide housing programs in the community. Referrals to programs are made based on the length of time homeless, best program fit and available program spaces.
​
Red Deer’s System Framework for Housing + Supports includes the following agencies:
-
Safe Harbour Society
-
McMan
-
Central Alberta Women’s Outreach Society
-
YMCA
-
Red Deer Native Friendship Society
HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION
Supports for individuals, couples and families who are at risk of losing their housing or who have been homeless for less than 3 month.
Individuals and families who are not chronically or episodically homeless will be offered diversion and prevention services when challenged by the following factors:
-
Homeless for less than 3 months
-
Imminent risk of homelessness
-
Inadequate housing
-
New to the community
-
Barriers to obtaining housing such as low income, no income, no personal identification
​
INDIGENOUS COORDINATED ENTRY
​Provides intake and assessment services to help match individuals or families experiencing chronic or episodic homelessness with an appropriate housing program to meet their needs. ICE operates with a balance of in office and assertive outreach services. ​
​
_JPG.jpg)
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS FOR HOUSING SUCCESS
Offers cultural support to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness and who are accessing housing support programming. Cultural supports can include connection to an elder, ceremony, or community programming.
SPECIAL CONCERNS UNIT
More information coming soon.
Nanâtawihowin Programs
Community Programs
Secure Certificate of Indian Status / Band Registration
These services help ensure access to benefits and services available to registered First Nations and Inuit individuals. Our specialist provides guidance on eligibility, assists with paperwork, and hosts clinics in collaboration with local communities to streamline the process. We are available for Walk-ins Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and evening appointments every second Tuesday 4:00 PM to 7PM to help make the SCIS and registration process as accessible and stress-free as possible.
KAIROS Blanket Exercise
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an interactive learning experience that teaches the Indigenous rights history we’re rarely taught. Blanket Exercise participants take on the roles of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Standing on blankets that represent the land, they walk through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization, and resistance. The exercise is followed by a sharing circle in which participants have the opportunity to discuss the experience as a group.
Cree Classes
Weekly conversational Cree lessons. Check with the center for dates and times.
I am a Kind Man
I am a Kind Man supports Indigenous men and boys in understanding and reclaiming their traditional roles as protectors of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBT+ peoples. This program addresses trauma and the impacts of colonial violence while encouraging participants to actively speak out against gender-based violence. The program consists of 48 sessions, providing a thorough and supportive environment for personal growth and community impact.
Nanâtawihowin Two Spirit Program
Improve conditions of personal safety throughout our community and reduce gender based violence by empowering individuals to name their own experiences within a framework of self determination to restore vital cultural knowledge. The objective of the Nanâtawihowin Two Spirit Program is to identify and bridge gaps in community knowledge, resources, support services for the two spirit and allied communities.
Two-Spirit Legacy Project
The Two Spirit Legacy is bringing people back to community, inspiring personal investment in the community, and building the knowledge keepers of tomorrow thus keeping culture and traditional knowledge alive and thriving within the community.
It is our hope that our legacy can be presented as a documentary-like video as well as shorter videos, all that can be used to educate and inspire long after the project.
Legacy Link
Provides opportunities for youth and elders to get together for field trips, cultural learning, and mentorship.
Community Education
Increase understanding, awareness, and acceptance of intersectional identities throughout the community through visibility and connections. Using storytelling and education, Indigenous youth are empowered to take control of the narrative by sharing insights on historical and contemporary teachings. We hope to create a Two Spirit speakers bureau to increase understanding and acceptance of the gender and sexually diverse indigenous community.
Youth Programs
Spirit Seekers
This is an after school program is for youths aged 10-13 to receive cultural connection guidance and connection to ceremony through Elders, protocol teaching, Indigenous Awareness, Sharing Circles, Sweat Lodges, and Medicine Wheel Teachings.
Youth On The Land
Youth on the Land is an empowering initiative designed to connect Indigenous youth aged 14-24 with their cultural heritage and the natural environment. This program aims to foster a deep sense of identity, resilience, and community among participants by immersing them in traditional land-based activities and teachings.
Youth + Peer Mentorship
Peer supporters are community members aged 16-24 who are committed to supporting each other throughout their journey of self discovery and determination. By becoming a peer supporter, participants gain access to youth peer-support mentorship training and programming based in the teachings of the medicine wheel, cultural knowledge, and relationship building, as well as suicide prevention and mental health support best practices.
Weaving Wîcihitowin
Weaving Wîcihitowin for Learning aims to promote and enhance academic success among urban and rural Indigenous school aged students. This program provides comprehensive educational, cultural, and community support to empower students to thrive within and beyond the school environment. By fostering a strong foundation in both academic and cultural knowledge, we aim to contribute to a more economically diverse and prosperous Alberta.
Paranormal Unit
This program is for youths aged 16-24 to learn about the "Paranormal" through an Indigenous lens. It includes teaching on Alberta-specific myths and legends as well as on-field ghost "hunting" which is reserved youths who have proven that thet have passion and respect for any energies or spirits we may encounter. These youth will learn how to use and operate ghost-detecting equipment, receive cultural teachings regarding respect for the unseen, non-physical world.
Community Resource Connections
Our community resource connector provides information about Red Deer Native Friendship Society programs and services to local schools and their divisions as well as supporting and guiding the Community Liaison Workers and other RDPSD staff as appropriate. These connections provide culturally relevant programs and services and Aboriginal Awareness information with the goal of building strong Indigenous families.
Four Directions Programs
.png)
Wellbriety / Youth Wellbriety
A medicine wheel and 12 step program for those seeking sobriety. A culturally based program focused on the teaching of the medicine wheel, cycle of life, and four laws of change. Currently running every Wednesday.
Celebrating Families!
Celebrating Families is designed to support families where one or both parents have serious alcohol or substance addiction and in which there is a high risk of domestic violence, child abuse, or neglect. The program facilitators work with every member of the family from age 3 through to adulthood, to strengthen recovery from alcohol or other substances, break the cycle of addiction, and increase successful family reunification. The program fosters the development of safe, healthy, fulfilled, and addiction-free individuals and families.
Wahkohtowin
A 15 week culturally rooted Traditional Parenting program facilitated by our Four Directions Family Support/Cultural Family Educator Workers. Registration is open to parents and caregivers in the community. Sessions are delivered as circle teachings and focus on balance with the four aspects of the human being; physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
Women's Wellness
A holistic approach to healthcare; addressing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects together. This program encourages women to engage in self-care and education about health, promoting empowerment, balance and harmony for individuals and families