Gihekdagye (meaning along the river), also known as the Brantford Region Indigenous Support Centre, assists the Indigenous population living in urban areas of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk counties with programs that promote culture and traditions

Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Urban Indigenous community

Call or email for information

• application may be required for some programs

Friendship Centre promoting culture and traditions, supporting the Urban Indigenous community in Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk counties

Programs include:

• Criminal Court Worker - assists offenders to better understand their rights, options, and responsibilities when appearing before the court. Assists adults and youth charged with criminal offenses to navigate the court processes
• Combined Court Worker - helps navigate Indigenous youth, adults, and families through criminal court, family court and child services
• Indigenous Healing and Wellness - assists individuals to access services, provides crisis intervention, offers traditional support, and provides peer counselling to community members impacted by violence. Services are available on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting
• Cultural Resource Coordinator - provides access to cultural knowledge by fostering positive Indigenous identity essential to well-being and resilience. Services are culturally reflective and prevention-focused, with a focus on maintaining cultural connections to identity, knowledge, traditions, ceremonies, education, training, and traditional support. THIS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY ON HOLD 
• Apatisiwin Program Worker - provides services to youth and adults in employment counselling, job preparations (application processing, resume/cover letter assistance, referrals to agencies, etc), purchase of training, apprenticeship skills training, and training supports
• Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator - provides a holistic and positive approach to support the needs of mental health and addictions for Indigenous people and their families. Implements programs to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of both clients and their families that are culturally based and foster the learning of self-respect and identity
• Mental Health Peer Support Coordinator - provides networks of support and mentorship to Urban Indigenous people under community supervision orders as they seek to improve their mental health, reduce any harms associated with their behaviours, avoid justice system recidivism, and pursue a Good Mind