Code of Ethics

Guided by Wisdom, Grounded in Culture

Our Indigenous Code of Ethics reflects the strength of our ancestors’ teachings, fostering respect, integrity, and accountability in all that we do. It honours the interconnectedness of people, land, and culture, ensuring that every action we take upholds our commitment to holistic well-being and the thriving of future generations.

In order for a Friendship Centre to be a member in good standing with the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association, an individual Friendship Centre shall, among other requirements, subscribe and be accountable to the following principles:

Friendship Centre Code of Ethics

A member of the Association shall be a community-directed organization whose aims and objectives are consistent with the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association’s goals and objectives and the National Association of Friendship Centres standards.

As a member of the Association, the Friendship Centre must first and foremost show respect and honour for all Indigenous customs and beliefs. The Friendship Centre must act and speak with pride and dignity that Indigenous heritage demands.

The Friendship Centre must be committed to information-sharing, referrals, recreation and social activities, cultural reinforcement, community development, and similar activities which ensure that Indigenous people will be afforded a better quality of life through Indigenous self-determination.

The Friendship Centre must honour the belief of supporting unity amongst all Indigenous people, regardless of legal definitions of Métis, First Nation, or Inuit. In supporting this belief, Friendship Centres are expected to meet the needs of the community they serve.

As an Association member, the Friendship Centre will, at all times, conduct itself in a manner that brings respect, integrity, credibility, and tolerance to the Association, other Friendship Centres, and other Indigenous groups even though they may disagree.

The Friendship Centre will bring grievances, comments, or complaints relating to the Association to the attention of the Board (similarly, the Association will bring any grievance, comment, or complaint that the Association may have with respect to a particular Member Centre to the attention of the Board of that Member Centre).

As an Association member, the Friendship Centre will endeavour to work cooperatively with other Friendship Centres to solve problems and support mutual concerns.

The Friendship Centre will endeavour to work in a cooperative manner with other groups and organizations, be they Indigenous or non-Indigenous, in order to develop a humane society of equal opportunity for all peoples and respect for all living things.