Newo-Yotina Friendship Centre

09/30/2026

Thank you to Smashly Apparel for making these beautiful orange shirts and donating $5 from every shirt sold and then matching the donations! We appreciate all the support and amazing work you to do to support the merchandise store on our website.

09/29/2026

Some of our Nēwo Yōtina Friendship Centre staff are attending the Keep Our Language Alive Conference, and it has us thinking about what language revitalization looks like for Indigenous people living in urban communities.

The numbers tell an important story.

More than 1.09 million Indigenous people live in urban communities across Canada — over 60% of the Indigenous population. This includes Status and non-Status First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

Yet when we look at language, there is a significant divide.

According to Statistics Canada, 39.8% of First Nations people living on reserve can speak an Indigenous language, compared with only 8% living off reserve.

Here in Saskatchewan, that comparison is 37.7% on reserve and 16.2% off reserve.

These numbers aren’t about comparing one community to another. They remind us that as Indigenous people make their homes in cities and urban communities, our languages need to be able to come with us.

Our children and grandchildren deserve opportunities to hear and learn their languages no matter where they grow up. Our Elders and Knowledge Keepers need spaces where they can pass that knowledge forward. And urban Indigenous organizations need the resources and capacity to create those opportunities.

Friendship Centres have long been places where Indigenous people living away from their home communities can find culture, connection and belonging. Language revitalization must be part of that work.

Keeping our languages alive means protecting them where they remain strong — but it also means bringing them back where they have been interrupted, disconnected or lost.

Because ultimately, language belongs wherever our people are. 🧡

09/26/2026

🖤 GET INKED. GIVE BACK. 🖤
Permanent Art. Lasting Impact.

Okay, Regina tattoo community… we have an idea. 👀

Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre is looking at putting together a Flash Tattoo Fundraiser, with proceeds supporting our programs and services — and we’re looking for some amazing people to help us make it happen!

🖊️ TATTOO ARTISTS:
Would you be interested in donating your time and talent, creating a flash sheet and spending the day tattooing for a great cause?

🏠 VENUE / TATTOO STUDIOS:
Do you have a space that could host an event like this? We’d love to hear from studios or other suitable venues interested in partnering with us.

The idea is simple:

💉 Pick your flash.
🖤 Get some new ink.
🧡 Support community programs.
🔥 Have a great time doing it.

We’d especially love to connect with Indigenous tattoo artists interested in participating and creating original flash that celebrates culture, community, humour, resilience and identity.

Right now, we’re seeing who might be interested before we start putting all the details together.

Tattoo artists, studios and potential venue partners — are you in?

Tag someone who needs to see this, share the post, or send us a message [email protected] !

🖤 GET INKED. GIVE BACK.
Permanent Art. Lasting Impact.

Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre
Rooted in Culture, Growing in Community.

09/25/2026

✨ Introducing our new Friday Feature! ✨

Each Friday, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the incredible people and programs that make Nēwo Yōtina Friendship Centre what it is. And what better way to kick off our very first than on our TRC Gathering Day by recognizing the team behind so many of our events — our Planning Committee! 🧡👏

We could probably call this group “The People Who Make Chaos Look Organized.” 😂

Our Planning Committee is made up of staff from every department who volunteer their time, ideas and talents to help bring our events and community engagement activities to life.

Behind every event that looks seamless is a whole lot happening behind the scenes — endless conversations, emails and phone calls; coordinating vendors, partners and schedules; organizing supplies; and somehow becoming event planners, decorators, problem-solvers, set-up crews and clean-up crews along the way.

From galas, workshops and conferences to pow wows, community BBQs and events like today’s TRC gathering, this team works together to make sure our community feels welcomed, celebrated and cared for.

They’re often the first ones setting up, the last ones cleaning up, and somewhere in between you’ll probably hear “Who has the tape?!” or “We need another extension cord!” 🤣 Yet when the doors open, somehow they make it all look effortless.

And if you’re wondering why we don’t have the perfect group photo of the entire committee… we’ve tried. 😂 Getting everyone in the same place at the same time is a little like herding cats. They’re here, there and everywhere — usually because they’re busy making sure everything else is getting done!

So for our very first Friday Feature, please join us in giving our Planning Committee a very well-deserved round of applause! 👏👏👏

Thank you for the time, energy, creativity and heart you bring to every event — and for being the team that somehow manages to make chaos look organized. 🧡

NYFC, Rooted in Culture, Growing in Community.

09/25/2026

Please join us today from 1–4PM at 1770 Halifax Street 🧡

🧡 Honoring Their Spirits – Orange Shirt Day Event 🧡

Please join us on Friday, September 25th, 2025 from 1–4PM at 1770 Halifax Street as we come together to honor the survivors and remember those we lost.

We’ll have guest speakers sharing their stories, space for reflection, and light refreshments will be served.

Let’s gather as a community to learn, remember, and walk toward reconciliation together.

📧 [email protected]

09/24/2026

Friendship Centres on Parliament Hill!

This week, Nēwo Yōtina Friendship Centre Executive Director Teresa Innis joined Friendship Centre representatives and youth from across Canada in Ottawa for National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) Advocacy Days.

Teresa was joined in representing Saskatchewan by AFCS Board of Directors, Youth Representative Theland Kicksnoway.

Their time on Parliament Hill included attending Question Period and meeting with Members of Parliament and representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office to talk about what is happening on the ground in our communities—the successes we are seeing, the challenges our communities continue to face, and the need for sustainable and increased investment in Friendship Centres.

Delegates also attended an Indspire reception where they had an opportunity to meet the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services.

Across Canada, Friendship Centres are responding every day to housing and homelessness, health and wellness, youth programming, culture, employment, food security, harm reduction and many other community needs. Advocacy Days gave us the opportunity to bring those realities—and the voices of the people we serve—directly to federal decision-makers.

🧡 From our local friendship centre, to our provincial and national movement, our collective voice is stronger when we stand together.

09/24/2026

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Carol for her generous donations of blankets over the past few days. Your kindness and support mean the world to us here at NYFC, and we couldn’t be more thankful for your thoughtful contributions. Your generosity has made a real difference, and we truly appreciate your compassion and dedication to helping others. Thank you, Carol!✨

09/15/2026

Please join us for another wonderful year of Online Cree Classes✨
Classes will begin on Monday September 21st 2026.
If you have any questions please email [email protected]
Please register with link provided below⬇
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=TJhZdYpaxEGeW7e_ALI9ZaIBoaiMOHFHvYyldExLJzxUODZSTk1ZMFRXMFo2RjJWQzlSU0FBUkgzNS4u

09/11/2026

Join us for our 2nd Annual Men's Conference: Returning to Our Roots! This year's event is dedicated to empowering men with modern naturalistic approach to foster self-worth, maturity, leadership, and respect. Engage in inspiring workshops, meaningful discussions, and connect with like-minded men who are on a journey of growth and self-discovery. Let’s come together to celebrate our strengths, rediscover our roots, and build a stronger, more confident connection to our community. Don’t miss out—mark your calendars and be part of this resurgence of our men's healing journey.💙
Everyone is welcome, but we especially encourage men to join us.
Please use the link provided to purchase tickets.
If you have any questions please contact [email protected]
https://form.jotform.com/262526037255052