home away from home

Our research explores THE CONNECTIONS CLIENTS HAVE TO Saskatchewan INDIAN AND Métis FRIENDSHIP CENTRE AND THE ISSUES RELATED TO BEING INDIGENOUS IN THE CITY using digital storytelling.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

there is a strong need for research TO COME FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE COMMUNITY TO EVALUATE WHETHER AN ORGANIZATION IS MEETING THEIR NEEDS.

OBJECTIVE

The research explores the ways in which community organizations connect with Indigenous People who have moved to urban spaces.

GOAL

Our key goal is to learn what the organization means to the people who use their services and assess whether their needs are being met.

Future

Findings hold promise for other community-based organizations to use arts-based tools to evaluate successes, gaps, and barriers in services.

RESEARCH methods

Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, we collaborated with the saskatoon indian and Métis FRIENDSHIP CENTRE and the Storycentre.

Our research used the following methods to gain insight into the ways in which BEING INDIGENOUS IN AN URBAN CITY SPACE AND CONNECTING WITH SIMFC AFFECTS PEOPLES LIVED ExPERIENCES.
SIMFC Gathering in the Gym

digital
storytelling

We ran a digital storytelling workshop where participants created short 3-5 minute videos.

An image of an online survey

QUALITY OF
LIFE SURVEY

We also developed an online survey to to understand successes, gaps, and barriers to SIMFC programming.

STORIES

These are the stories constructed for the Home away from home project.

ahkamēyimok

My internship at the Saskatoon Indian Metis Friendship Centre was more than just an educational stepping stone.
It’s a testament to the strength we find in each other and the healing power of giving back.

Replace, Repair, Restore

My goal was to lead these youth down a more positive path through hard work, labour, and counselling.
Once they find out they can do something with their hands, their whole mindset shifts.

Friendship & Support

There was no where to go, and we came here. There was always someone to talk to.
It’s a good place for us when we were stuck, they welcomed us.

Out of the Abyss

I was fighting a losing battle.
The Friendship Centre reached down and pulled me up from the bottom.

Regaining Connection

Having these influences within our community is really important to help getting our foot in the door and to get connected again.

Summer Student

I grew up in the city.
I always wanted to go and learn to do things out in the wilderness, but I didn’t know where to begin.

My Home Away From Home

Friendship Centre is a home for a lot of our clients.
This is my second home, too.

Wahkohtowin

Who we are is about friendship. It was a gathering place for people.
Being a part of it felt like home. It was a place where I could find comfort.

Pay It Forward

The Friendship Centre became a beacon of hope and identity for me.
Today, I strive to make it easier for others facing similar challenges by building a stronger more supportive community.

Zach's Journey with the Friendship Centre

My stor ybegan with my mom working at SIMFC.
And now as I am older, I like coming back for the round dances, pow wows, and to connect more with my culture.

Team Members

INVESTIGATORs
Dr. Robert Henry

Dr. Henry is Métis from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and is a citizen of Métis Nation Saskatchewan. He holds a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Justice and Well-Being and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Indigenous Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Henry is also the lead of the nātawihowin and mamawiikikayaahk Research, Training and Mentorship Networks and co-leads the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) National Coordinating Centre.

Dr. Chelsea Gabel

Dr. Gabel is Red River Métis from Rivers, Manitoba and is a citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation. She holds a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Well-Being, Community-Engagement and Innovation and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Aging and Society and the Indigenous Studies Department at McMaster University. Dr. Gabel is also the lead of the Indigenous Mentorship Network - Ontario and co-leads the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) National Coordinating Centre.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Alicia Clifford

Alicia is a white settler originally from Regina, Saskatchewan. They are a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Health, Aging and Society at McMaster University and a research assistant in the Department of Indigenous Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. Alicia is an arts-based researcher who stands in solidarity with Indigenous women forced to manoeuvre Canada's prison systems. They are also the board chair for the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan.

PARTNERS

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR PARTNERS for MAKING the SASKATCHEWAN INDIAN AND Métis FRIENDSHIP CENTRE project A REALITY.
Saskatchewan Indian and Metis Friendship Centre LogoMcMaster University LogoUniversity of Saskatchewan LogoStoryCentre Canada LogoCanadian Institute of Health Research Vertical Logo