This organization was founded in 1959, the first of its kind in Canada. Closed in the summer of 2018, it was reopened as the Winnipeg Indigenous Friendship Centre in 2020.
Period
Location
1959-1967
376 Donald Street
1967-?
73 Princess Avenue
?-?
590 Main Street
?-1992
465 Alexander Avenue
1992-2018
45 Robinson Avenue
2020-?
412 McGregor Street
Period
Executive Director
1959-1963
Joan Adams
1963
Lloyd Lenton - Acting
1963-c1965
Jean Cuthand Goodwill
c1965-1969
Mary Louise Defender
1969-1974
George Raphael Munroe (c1944-2026)
1974-c1979
Mary Richards
c1979-1980
Bill Robinson
1980-1984
Lena Friesen
1984-1987
Stirling Ranville
1987-1993
?
1993-?
Terry Belhumeur
?-2026
?
2026-?
Douglas Bartlett
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Mary Jane Bowers Guilbault (1930-2013)
Manitoba Organization: Selkirk Friendship Centre
“Opening, birthday for centre,” Winnipeg Free Press, 24 March 1960, page 5.
“A home from home for Indians,” Winnipeg Free Press, 29 September 1962, page 21.
“Jean Cuthand,” Winnipeg Free Press, 15 May 1963, page 3.
“New director brings ideas and experience from west,” Winnipeg Free Press, 1 June 1963, page 16.
“Indian Centre aids former slum tenant,” Winnipeg Free Press, 16 September 1966, page 5.
“Any old golf clubs?,” Winnipeg Free Press, 29 June 1967, page 23.
“Not only the Indian needs educating,” Winnipeg Free Press, 2 September 1967, page 21.
“Opportunity panel topic,” Winnipeg Free Press, 24 January 1968, page 37.
“Committee backs grants,” Winnipeg Free Press, 26 March 1975, page 16.
“60 demonstrate in support of community clinic,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 March 1979, page 18.
“Executive Director,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 June 1980, page 43.
“Am I prejudiced?,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 March 1982, page 26.
“Ex-Friendship Centre official fights firing,” Winnipeg Free Press, 21 March 1984, page 5.
“Native groups criticize hiring of North Dakotan,” Winnipeg Free Press, 2 December 1985, page 9.
“Consult natives,” Winnipeg Free Press, 1 May 1986, page 12.
“Trees to fall, homes rise,” Winnipeg Free Press, 28 April 1993, page 18.
“Establishing and Indigenizing the Indian and Métis Friendship Centre: An incubator for Indigenous activism” by Shauna MacKinnon and Kathy Mallett, Chapter 2 in Indigenous Resistance & Development in Winnipeg 1960-2000, Shauna MacKinnon & Kathy Mallett, editors, Winnipeg: ARP Books, page 49-66.
“Friendship Centre targeted again,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 March 2019, page 10.
About Us, Winnipeg Indigenous Friendship Centre.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 1 November 2026