Saskatoon Indian & Metis Friendship Centre
168 Wall Street S7K 1N4 Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Thanks to the Star Phoenix for covering the opening of the SIMFC Wicitizon Youth Shelter today! https://thestarphoenix.com//saskatoon-indian-and-metis-fri

SIMFC is asking for your support for this year’s One Billion Rising campaign against domestic violence, as sponsored by the World Sikh Organization of Canada. Last year, the Saskatoon campaign delivered 25 packages to SIMFC on Valentine’s Day for distribution to Indigenous women who are domestic violence survivors and those in need. Check out the photos from last year’s campaign! The organizers of the One Billion Rising campaign are supporting the SIMFC again this year and are collecting donations online to get the kits together for Valentine’s Day. To donate, please e-transfer to [email protected].

The Centre is grateful to Shawn and Cynthia Peekeekoot from Nehiyaw Hustle Clothing for their recent donation of gloves, mitts, and scarves which will help to keep people warm during what is already a long, cold winter. Many thanks!

The Wicitizon Daytime Youth Shelter officially opened today at the Saskatoon Indian Metis Friendship Centre! SIMFC continues to evolve as a community service organization by now providing a safe place for youth looking for shelter during the day, said Robert Doucette, SIMFC Executive Director. SIMFC joins White Buffalo Youth Lodge in helping youth, 16-26, who are looking for a place to sleep, get a bite to eat, and have a respite from living on the streets. The shelter’s... name, Wicitizon, is a Saulteaux word meaning to help oneself. Up to 12 youth at a time are welcome where they can also access The Fifth Fire commitment to Youth which is derived from the Seven Fires teachings of the Saulteaux Peoples. The teachings empower youth with resilience, and Indigenous ways of knowing and being. The Centre continues to utilize rigorous COVID-19 protocols to ensure that the youth, other clients, and Centre staff stay safe during the pandemic. Youth enter and exit through the gymnasium doors and have access to a cot, food, and activities. The drop-in centre is open daily 8:30 a.m. 9:30 p.m. The Wicitizon Shelter is made possible through the generous funding of Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership.

Statistics Canada is hiring for Census 2021! To assist in the collection of the next census in May 2021, Statistics Canada is hiring approximately 1,000 people across the country. The following immediate staffing opportunities are open to anyone who may be interested in gaining professional, marketable experience working with the Government of Canada: Field operations supervisors train, supervise and coordinate the work of teams of employees conducting field work. Sa...lary range: $61,558 to $66,324. Recruitment clerks promote 2021 Census jobs and facilitate the hiring process of candidates for field collection positions. Salary range: $47,729 to $51,518. The Census Program has adapted to the COVID-19 situation to ensure that the 2021 Census of Population is conducted throughout the country in the best possible way, using a safe and secure approach. To view the full list of positions available, and to apply, please visit www.census.gc.ca/jobs.T See more

Many thanks to the Saskatoon Salsa Dance Company for their tremendous donation of more than $1,200 worth of toys for the Centre’s Children’s Christmas 2020! The gifts were made possible through a toy drive carried out by the company’s young dancers and will help to make Christmas 2020 special for many children across Saskatoon.

SIMFC is most grateful to our neighbour Chianti Café & Restaurant, at the corner of Idylwyld and 22nd Street, for their generous donation of 130 pasta meals that we were able to offer after our turkey dinners ran out thanks so much!

Despite the treacherous, wintery weather, the SIMFC Christmas Turkey Dinner went ahead yesterday to provide hot meals to some 230 individuals. It was a full meal of turkey, potatoes, vegetables, stuffing, gravy, and desserts wow! Thanks to SIMFC staff who ensured that a hot turkey dinner was available to those in need.

Thanks for your interest in the Children’s Christmas 2020! Registration is now full.

https://www.cbc.ca//saskatchewan-moe-shahab-covid-19-updat

SIMFC was happy to partner with Western Region 2A of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan on their December hamper drive to benefit folks in Métis Locals across the region. While the initiative eventually took over the whole SIMFC gymnasium, it was loaded up and delivered on Tuesday, December 22! Another stellar hamper drive for WR2A!

Please note that due to health and safety concerns regarding the second wave of the COVID-19 virus, the Wicitizon sharing circle has been cancelled until further notice.

The Saskatoon Indian & Métis Friendship Centre sends condolences to the family and friends of Fred "Chief Running Deer" Sasakamoose, a hockey legend who is well known for being one of the first Canadian Indigenous players in the National Hockey League. After retiring from ice hockey, Sasakamoose became a band councillor of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, serving for 35 years, and one term as Chief. He was also extensively involved in the development of sports programs for Indigenous children. He was acknowledged by both the Assembly of First Nations and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations for his achievements and contributions, and he was invested into the Order of Canada in 2018.

Congratulations to the hard-working SIMFC staff for making the 2020 Christmas hamper program so successful! SIMFC was able to help out families and individuals with 75 hampers this year, with some of the financial support coming from the ps5 Draw much appreciated! The hampers included a turkey, potatoes, vegetables, bread, eggs, other great foods, as well as presents for children. Despite the frigid temperatures, our great staff also stepped up to ensure the delivery process took place smoothly!

Stay safe! https://www.cbc.ca//list-sources-covid-19-community-transm

https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/fred-sasakamoose-one-of-nhl-s-

SIMFC is pleased to release its report, Supporting Saskatoon’s Indigenous community during the coronavirus pandemic which is an overview of the work of the Centre from April to September 2020. It can be viewed at https://www.simfc.ca/publications-resources.

Job opportunities with the City of Saskatoon.

Thanks to Eagle Feather News for the article on SIMFC's Fifth Fire program! https://www.eaglefeathernews.com//saskatoon-friendship-cen

A World of Difference: Shining a light on Indigenous Women in Science The MentorSTEP program at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), co-led by the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) and funded by the International Minerals Innovation Institute (iMii), supports Indigenous women who are interested in careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). https://www.lightsource.ca//a_world_of_difference_shining_ Photo: Julia Doucette-Garr in front of the REIXS beamline at the CLS.

Today, on Orange Shirt Day, we honour the survivors of the Residential Schools, Day Schools, and the ‘60s Scoop and are mindful of the lasting effects of those government systems and policies that were created to assimilate and colonize Indigenous people in Canada.

Notice to all participants of SIMFC's Powwow Song and Dance Program: This Wednesday's program (Wednesday, September 30th) will be Cancelled due to SIMFC's Annual General Meeting.

Update: How time flies. We are already halfway through the Keeping the Fire Parenting Program. We are fortunate to have a full class (6 participants due to COVID19) which allows for insightful and experiential sharing. Our participants are amazing and are teaching us just as much as we are teaching them. The traditional teaching of reciprocity is sure alive and well in our group. To date we have learned about coping mechanisms, emotional regulation for children, identity formation and grounding techniques. We have many more exciting teachings along the way and look forward to our final celebration. Although it will be sad to see the amazing moms leave us, it comforts us knowing that they will continue on their journeys with a few more tools and several more supports.

We would like to say thank you to the CIF-The Community Initiative Fund and The City of Saskatoon for their sponsorship of the Children's Summer Program this year. It was greatly appreciated, the children enjoyed the program.

Thanks to the Saskatoon Food Bank for last Friday's generous donation that assisted the Elders of the Oskawipewis (helpers) Project to ensure they are staying nourished and safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

4v4 co-ed volleyball league schedule funded by the City of Saskatoon and SIMFC League dates and games, Captains and team names

https://www.saskatoon.ca/electio/election-job-opportunities