OTTAWA, Ontario, March 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) welcomes today's announcement from Indigenous Services Canada and Minister Gull-Masty confirming a $168 million investment over five years to support Friendship Centres across Canada.

This multi-year commitment provides important stability for Friendship Centres and supports the continued delivery of essential, culturally grounded programs and services for Indigenous people living in urban communities.

The NAFC welcomes this announcement as a reflection of sustained advocacy efforts over the past three years. Provincial and Territorial Associations and Friendship Centres have played a key role by sharing the impacts of their work and community stories to help inform decision makers.

Each year, Friendship Centres support nearly one million Indigenous people through more than 2,600 programs, accessed over 2.3 million times annually. These services include employment and training, childcare, health supports, housing, cultural programming, and food security.

With 3,100 staff and more than 10,300 volunteers, Friendship Centres represent one of the most significant Indigenous service delivery networks in the country. Their ...