EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I am pleased to present the National Association of Friendship Centres’ Data Strategy, which shares our priorities and vision for data and sets the stage for the next phase of data governance and sovereignty for our movement. In my own experience, I have seen how having access to timely and accurate data can bring about transformative change. The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax was able to grow from 10 to 50 programs because of the power of data
Our reasons for collecting data need to change, from merely being compliant with funding agreements to becoming experts about ourselves. We want to collect data that supports our storytelling and empowers us to bring about transformative change for the movement We want to know whether the realities of urban Indigenous peoples are improving. We want to demonstrate to our local, regional and national partners what we already know – Friendship Centres are essential services and lifelines to urban Indigenous peoples.
Our vision is to become the information leaders on the lived realities of urban Indigenous peoples. We will do this by meeting our members where they are at and providing relevant supports so we can collectively build our data capacity. We will braid together local and regional stories into a national story that we share broadly to ensure urban Indigenous peoples are represented We will maintain partnerships that align with our values and help us achieve our vision.
I encourage you to read NAFC’s Data Strategy and join us in using data to bring about transformative change for urban Indigenous peoples and Friendship Centres
In Friendship, Pam Glode-Desrochers NAFC President
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDSHIP CENTRES
Who we are
For more than seventy years, Friendship Centres have been trusted grassroots community organizations that provide culturally enhanced programs and services to urban Indigenous peoples
Today, urban Indigenous peoples make up approximately 70% of the Indigenous population in Canada. The Indigenous population is one of the only growing populations, increasing by 9 4% in 2021, and is still the youngest population in Canada.
While the reasons for Indigenous people being in urban settings are many, there remains a gap between the availability of services and the accessibility of those services for urban Indigenous community members. The need for culturally safe and accessible urban Indigenous-specific and led community supports is high and continually growing
Urban Indigenous
Friendship Centres are a lifeline for many Indigenous people living in urban environments and are known for creating much-needed support structures that are not available anywhere else
These services include: Health Housing Education Sports Language Justice Employment Economic Development Culture Community Wellness
First Nation, Inuit and Métis people living in small, medium and large communities, including rural, isolated and remote communities, which are: offreserve; outside of their home community, community of origin or settlement; or outside of Inuit Nunangat
“We are forever fixing, trying to feed people and finding them a place to sleep. We forget how they got there in the first place. We forget that the problem originates entirely from something else, from what we're doing.
And in the meantime, the problems are getting worse, they are not getting smaller, we are not winning.
We need to put some thought into how to prevent people from getting into these situations in the first place.”
We need to change our approach
Senator
Ray Fox
This strategy results in:
a colonial framing of the urban Indigenous experience
a lack of confidence that the information is being used
Historically and currently, the data and information we collect from our members is a byproduct of a transactional relationship to satisfy government funding agreements.
These reports focus on outputs and serve primarily to check off boxes and to answer questions posed by the funders.
our inability to tell if conditions are getting better or worse for Friendship Centres
A strategy that solely satisfies government funding agreements, will never be able to answer the important question – have conditions improved for urban Indigenous peoples.
The NAFC defines data in the broadest sense, data is the visual, auditory, physical, narrative, and quantitative representation of the self-determined missions of our members and the experiences of the urban Indigenous communities they serve.
Our members most often share stories of their self-determined missions that contextualize and provide meaning and relevance to the data they share with us. We rely on the wisdom of our members in identifying the supports they need and the solutions to persistent barriers they face.
Develop our own data strategy WHAT IS DATA?
After decades of sharing these reports to the Federal Government we still find ourselves needing to educate the Federal Government about the existence of urban Indigenous peoples and the importance of Friendship Centres
This strategy is not working; we need to change our approach.
We need to develop our own data collection strategy that focusses on, as NAFC’s President Pam GlodeDesrochers puts it, “Becoming Experts about Ourselves”.
The National Office, by amplifying the voices of our local and regional members, is uniquely placed to speak about the experiences of urban Indigenous peoples, to frame the issues they face and to name the solutions they need.
WHY WE COLLECT DATA
Building the case for long-term funding
Despite the critical role of Friendship Centres, the resources allocated to Friendship Centres have dwindled over the past two decades. This has created a challenging situation where these centers are grappling with the ever-increasing demand for their services while coping with diminishing funding.
The National Association of Friendship Centres has submitted a comprehensive business case to Indigenous Services Canada, outlining the urgent need for sustained, longterm investment in Friendship Centres.
This was only possible because of the stories and data our members shared
We collect data because it demonstrates to others what we already know; Friendship Centres are essential services and lifelines to urban Indigenous peoples, whether they call urban home or whether they are fleeing wildfires, Friendship Centres are there to welcome them.
Answering
important questions
If we are to answer whether conditions have improved for urban Indigenous peoples, we need to develop our own data collection strategy. One with a long and consistent view that prioritises storytelling supported by data and braids together local and regional stories into a national picture, ensuring that it is urban Indigenous People that are framing the issues we face and the solutions we need.
This is about Data Sovereignty
Data sovereignty is about Indigenous communities’ rights to govern and manage data about themselves. Data sovereignty empowers communities to put data to work for the benefit of their community members. Through data sovereignty, Indigenous communities can determine their own needs and paths to take towards greater wellbeing
A SHARED VISION
In the Fall of 2021, representatives across the Friendship Centre Movement, participated in three days of community mapping facilitated by Alicia Buckley (AFCS) to establish a culturally informed grounding for the NAFC’s Data Collection Strategy
To honour the balance of respecting the autonomy of Friendship Centre and PTAs while still forming a national movement the working group chose the symbology the North Star
“Although
we might be in different boats we are all guided by the North Star to our shared vision for the future.” - Working Group Member
A shared vision was formed by working group members exploring the myriads of visions that existed throughout the Friendship Centre Movement.
NAFC’s Data Strategy is situated within and draws from NAFC’s 10-year strategic plan and its mission to support FCs and PTAs in achieving their diverse missions and visions within their urban Indigenous communities. The Data Strategy also aligns with NAFC’s Research Framework that prioritises regenerative and relational approaches that emphasize the importance of equity, inclusion, and capacity-building within the Friendship Centre Movement.
As Indigenous information leaders, we honour our traditions by using stories to provide an understanding of urban realities and the Indigenous context.
Our stories empower our communities, promote innovation, and provide support that gives us strong self-determination and self-sustaining direction.
Data Strategy
THE DATA STRATEGY PRINCIPLES
Share stories of urban
Indigenous peoples
Respect for the information we are gifted NAFC 2025
Data Strategy
Support our members and minimize undue burden
MEMBERSHIP RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
What is this about?
This is about NAFC achieving its mission through continual engagement so that we are knowledgeable about our members’ missions, the support they need and the barriers they face.
This is also about raising awareness about how the stories and data that our members share empowers NAFC and PTAs to advocate for funding, resources, changes in policy and coordinate our collective action to accelerate beneficial outcomes for urban Indigenous peoples.
Where we want to go
Through collective knowledge sharing, the data strategy will continue to mature as we collectively grow our data capacity, with the hopes of one day each Friendship Centre and PTA having a data-dedicated staff member
Youth are always included, and we should aim to provide them with the skills and wise practices to set them up with success.
We build on the success of NAFC’s first Data Governance Gathering and hold future gatherings We ensure that delegates include representation from all regions, the Indigenous Youth Council and the Senate.
We continue to expand our national database, Bridging Across Canada, and to ensure a holistic national picture we work with members who have developed their own solutions to ensure that their stories and data are included.
DATA ACCESS
What is this about?
This is about knowledge sharing and making the data that we collect, or others collect, accessible to our members. So, it can be used to support our members in achieving their self-determined missions.
Where we want to go
Our members can see themselves as part of a national movement. They have access to the stories and data that are shared with the National Office so that they are aware of all the good work that is happening across the movement, be inspired and know who to contact to develop similar programming at their own Friendship Centres
Regardless of whether data was collected by NAFC or by an external body, our members have access to data that was collected about them.
A critical aspect of this effort is the growth and expansion of Bridging Across Canada, a database application suite designed for and by Friendship Centres and PTAs This database respects the data sovereignty of Friendship Centres and PTAs and empowers them in understanding and responding to the unique contexts, demographics, challenges, and needs of their urban Indigenous communities. It not only aids the Friendship Centres themselves but can also be invaluable for any organization or government partner aiming to support urban Indigenous communities better
SHARING OUR STORIES
What is this about?
This is about our members having the capacity to collect and mobilize the data and information they need to drive their self-determined missions. Capacity can be human resources including staffing, training and supportive standards It is also access to technology and policy development.
This is also about respecting ongoing consent and engendering trust that the stories and data we collect are being used to drive transformational change for the movement.
Where we want to go
We envision a future where we are considered the information leaders on the experience of urban Indigenous peoples in Canada. We are stewards of datasets, supported by national data standards, that can be used for research and policy development that will drive transformational change for urban Indigenous peoples.
Each Friendship Centre and PTA has a data-dedicated staff and their own data strategies that provide transparency to engender trust that their practices are ethical and valuable to their communities.
NAFC prioritizes centralizing data and using data linkages to support longitudinal analysis to identify trends.
Data standards are developed to ensure that all data and information collected is done consensually, remains private and secure and honours ongoing consent.
PARTNERSHIP RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
What is this about?
This is about maintaining and developing new partnerships with organizations and governments outside the Friendship Centre Movement. This is about creating data sharing agreements that are equally beneficial and align with the values of the Friendship Centre Movement.
This is about solidarity with other Indigenous partners in promoting Indigenous data sovereignty and governance This is about being more proactive in how we use information and data, that we are the ones to frame the issues and the solutions.
Where we want to go
We are recognized and valued as important members of the Indigenous data landscape and considered to be the information leaders when it comes to urban Indigenous peoples. Data sharing agreements with funders are aligned with our data strategies and our values and are mutually beneficial.
By demonstrating the benefit of data capacity we are able to secure sustainable and long-term funding to support data capacity within the Friendship Centre Movement.
NAFC’s Data Governance Gathering 2024
NAFC’S STATEMENT ON DIGITAL INNOVATION
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are being increasingly integrated into data analysis, and knowledge dissemination. These tools offer potential benefits such as improved data processing, predictive modeling, and accessibility, they also raise significant ethical concerns, particularly for Indigenous communities
NAFC affirms that any use of AI involving urban Indigenous communities must:
Be transparent in its purpose, design, and limitations
Respect Indigenous data sovereignty, including OCAP® and CARE principles. Avoid reinforcing systemic biases or erasing Indigenous identities and knowledge systems.
Be co-developed with communities, ensuring that AI tools serve community-defined goals. Include clear protocols for consent, data storage, and algorithmic accountability.
NAFC 2025 Data Strategy
Friendship Centres are encouraged to critically assess the role of AI in data management and to advocate for Indigenous-led approaches to digital innovation that uphold cultural protocols, relational accountability, and community control.
Bridging Across Canada, is housed in the Membertou First Nations Community data centre. It supports Data Sovereignty and is an Indgenous-led initiative.
