History
The
history of the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre dates back to
1963-65 when a group of people worked together in search of
a meeting place geared towards native culture and common
interests to help alleviate the loneliness of young native
people working for INCO and to provide a kind of social club
for those already here. The late Gordon Beard, then MP of
Churchill, donated such a place, which is now known as the
Strand Building. INCO also assisted in the purchase of items
required for entertainment and social gatherings, etc.
As the
town of Thompson grew, the original group disbanded and the
Centre disappeared. The Friendship Centre movement was
re-established in 1967-70, when, the first Thompson-Manitoba
Metis Federation Local, began endeavours to initiate a
Friendship Centre. In approaches to local and provincial
politicians, as well as INCO, there was again a strong
response.
The
Migration Centre was operated by M.M.F. until 1978, when a
Tripartite Agreement between M.M.F. - Thompson Region ,
Ma-Mow-We-Tak Centre and the Province of Manitoba saw the
Migration Centre pass into the hands of a separate Board to
operate the Friendship Centre and Hostel facilities,
separate from the M.M.F.
Ma-Mow-We-Tak Centre became incorporated on June 15,1976. In
1982 the Centre changed its name from "Ma-Mow-We-Tak Centre
Inc." to "Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre Inc." Through the
years the Centre has achieved extensive growth and now
employs more than 60 staff and offers numerous programs and
services to the community.
Today
For two
decades the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre Inc. has offered
support to Aboriginal people making the transition from life
on the reserve or isolated communities to urban life in
Thompson. It operates as a non-sectarian, non-political,
non-profit, charitable organization, geared to meeting the
needs of Aboriginal people in Thompson. It works in
cooperation with the community and other organizations to
provide programs and services in relation to social,
educational, cultural and recreational needs of all persons
of Aboriginal Ancestry without regard to status. The
Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre Inc. is maintained by
full-time, part-time and volunteer staff and governed by the
policies set by the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors are comprised of eleven community members who are
elected at the Annual General Assembly.
The
Board of Directors consists of a President, Vice-President,
Treasurer, Secretary and seven other Directors. The meetings
of the Board are conducted once a month, excluding the
months of July and August. The Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship
Centre Inc. provides services for, not only the City of
Thompson, but to several outlying communities of Northern
Manitoba. We offer a Hostel and kitchen facility for
people/patients traveling into Thompson. As we do house many
clients from out of town, the Interpreter/Escort service is
utilized quite extensively, for clients who require
assistance in either language or mobility. Our business
ventures are successful in that they have brought the Centre
a step closer to the goal of self-sufficiency. Multiple
programs and services are offered to meet the holistic needs
of Aboriginal people of all ages.
"THE MA-MOW-WE-TAK
FRIENDSHIP CENTRE WILL PROMOTE AND PROVIDE CULTURALLY
SENSITIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WITH THE COMMUNITY THROUGH
EMPOWERMENT, RESPECT, ACCOUNTABILITY AND LEADERSHIP"
