About IFA

The Indigenous Friends Association (IFA) is an Indigenous-led tech not-for-profit organization that ignites the Spirit of Indigenous communities to create, engage and renovate digital technologies through ethical and communal values. 

 
 

The IFA directly responds to the Calls to Action No. 7 (i.e. Youth Program) and 66 (i.e. Educational gaps) of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission because, through a community-based initiative, our organization supports the elimination of the education and employment gaps of Indigenous Peoples. Furthermore, our work at the IFA is guided and reinforced by the pressing need to address the dark legacy of colonial policies upon Indigenous Peoples, such as the Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop and the current child welfare system. Thus, the IFA aims to provide Indigenous Peoples and allies with the necessary tools to build partnerships and promote digital projects that place Indigenous understandings at their core.

The two main IFA programs:

 
 
 
 

Indigital Program:

The Indigital Program is a wellness, tech education and mentorship program through Indigenous worldviews for/by racialized individuals. Participants develop digital, employability and life skills through reconnecting with their community values and culture.

IndigiTECH Program:

The IndigiTECH Program supports the growth and exploration of remote technical skill pathways for Indigenous individuals to connect with meaningful internship and career opportunities.

 

The IFA organizational objectives are:

 
 

1) Develop and deploy safer and better digital and non-digital spaces for Indigenous youth to reconnect with their culture. 

2) Develop several skill sets of Indigenous members to become creators of digital technologies.  

How to collaborate with the IFA:

 

Participate in our programs:

Indigital:

INDIGital offers Indigenous youth and newcomers five weeks of free online learning about digital literacy, community, and empowerment.

We have two different courses that match participants’ different interests and needs. More details on our courses below.

  • Empowerment Through Technology

  • Empowerment Through Art

Learn more today!

 

IndigiTECH:

IndigiTECH offers Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Metis) individuals a 12-week full-time education program, 3 weeks of professional development courses, 12-week paid full-time internship opportunities, and ongoing support to develop career pathways in the fields of Web Development, UX Design, Client Care, and Business and Marketing

Free laptops and digital art pads can be provided, as well as assistance with nutrition and child care.

Learn More Today!

 

Support our mission and become an ally:

Acquire services: info@indigenousfriends.org 

  • Digital tech educational programming.

  • Digital tech implementation (websites, apps, social media).

 

Volunteer: Give your time, experiences and knowledge remotely to continue developing our mission. info@indigenousfriends.org 

 

Donate and sponsor: Provide financial support to our programs through the IFA’s donation campaigns.

The IFA principles

 

Indigenous (international context - global Indigenous solidarity)

Design Principles

Diversity and solidarity among racialized communities

Social Business Model

  • Breach IdleNoMore - Founding principles.
  • Software and traditional knowledge.
  • Embodiment Indigeneity and land.
  • Decentralized and mobile infrastructures.
  • Indigenous Data Sovereignty.
  • Identities of our members (US - aligned context).
  • Diversity of industries. 
  • Not-for-profit - Social Enterprise. 
  • Serves communities, small businesses, not-for-profits, individuals.
  • Ethical values in the creation of digital technologies.
  • Remote work: diversity of geographies.
 

Support our mission and become an ally:

 

Acquire services:

  • Indigenous consulting: governance (leadership), BIPOC diversity, Indigenous awareness (treaties, reconciliation).

  • Digital educational programming.

  • Requirements gathering, planning, design and implementation of digital business solutions (e.g. marketing, websites, apps, social media). 

Donate and sponsor:

  • Provide financial support to our programs through the IFA’s donation campaigns. Donate Now!

Volunteer with IFA:

 

Indigenous:* (international context - global Indigenous solidarity). 

  • Breach IdleNoMore - Founding principles

  • Terms: and diversity - US - aligned context

  • Collaborations (Flip & Floss, Pause & Effect, Pro sight)