The Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Association is a non-profit charitable organization established to address program and support service gaps existing within the community.  For the past thirty-five years the Center is a connection for individuals and families to access social resources, cultural programming, information and referrals to other supporting agencies and institutions.  T The Board of Directors of the Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre Association determine the overall direction and focus of the programs goals and objectives and represent the Society’s position relevant to presenting community issues. 

The Lac La Biche Canadian Friendship Centre Association provides programs and services free of charge to all members in the communities of Lac La Biche County and surrounding areas.  Where appropriate, these services are integrated with services provided by other agencies/providers, for a continuum of care and the assurance of cost effectiveness.

The Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre Association’s Executive Director, Executive Assistant and all Program staff provide assistance to individuals and their families requiring access to a telephone, fax machine, photocopier, computer, printer, various government, organization and institutional information, along with assistance in completing forms, referrals to outside agencies, and use of the facility for meeting and one on one support as required.  In addition the Centre delivers the programs of:

a) Elder’s Sacred Circle Program- One part-time Support Worker assists seniors by safely delivering food and prescriptions, helping them to acquire the technical skills to virtually connect with family and friends and to access to on line workshops and information to assist in healthy aging well, while engaging with one another.

b) Family Support Program- One full time Support Worker and one part time Program Assistant collect and distribute perishable and non-perishable food stocks, basic school supplies, extreme weather gloves, toques and socks to individuals and families in need. The program further delivers knowledge and programming for maintenance of food security such as planting, gathering and harvesting processes.

c) Indigenous Parenting – One full time Support Worker facilitates weekly parent and child activities, exchanging knowledge of traditional teachings and practices with the aid of Elders. One on one support is also provided outside of group events.

d) Indigenous Spirit Creations- A for profit venture that employs Indigenous people revitalizing traditional teachings and practices, strengthens partnerships within the community and promotes local Indigenous artisans and craftsman.

e) Indigenous Youth Services Program- One full time Support Worker and one part time Program Assistant facilitate after school activities to youth ages 10 to 18 years, three evenings a week, one on one mentoring with J.A. Williams High School and twice a month youth event with Lac La Biche County’s Family and Community Support Services Community Outreach Worker.

f) Wellness Services is an added component to the Centre’s overall programs and services in response to community needs. The Executive Director and four program staff are Registered Social Workers trained in trauma, providing crisis and ongoing counselling support to patrons frequenting the Centre.