By: Danielle Dufour
UPDATE: February 23, 2026 Posted interview audio
Almost a year ago, on March 24th, 2025, the Newo Yotina Friendship Centre in Regina sustained damage from a fire that took place in a neighbouring tenant’s space in the building that caused heavy smoke damage, as soot and water entered their side of the building.
“We’ve had some damage that was repaired on the main floor, so unfortunately we did have to close to the community for about three months while those repairs were happening,” said Executive Director Teresa Innis.
Their main drop-in centre was able to reopen last June, but the majority of their 100 staff members are still working out of another location as the repairs are ongoing on the second level of the building.
The centre runs 23 different programs to serve urban Indigenous people that are living in Regina.
Some of those services include housing assistance, a warm-up shelter, cultural and language programs, and Elder support.
“We did have a traditional language library with books and all kinds of learning resources; unfortunately, that was damaged in the fire, so we’re still looking to rebuild that,” said Innis.
The friendship centre receives funding from grants but is mostly funded by donations from the local community.
They address food insecurity by offering breakfast and lunch meals seven days a week.
“We serve a minimum of 150 meals a day,” said Innis.
The lunch is served at 3:30 p.m. because they know that other services in the community offer lunch at 12:00 p.m., so they serve theirs later to be closer to supper time.
“In our shelter we serve a meal at 7:00 p.m., serving around 50 to 75 individuals as well,” said Innis.
There is a rise in the number of people coming for meals. They have noticed more families lining up for meals, not just houseless individuals.
“I think what’s driving a lot of the increase that we’re seeing in particular is the cost,” said Innis. “Before, individuals, even while they were maybe living on income assistance, they still were able to afford basic necessities. Now you cannot get a month’s worth of groceries on income assistance benefits.”
The centre used to offer breakfast from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., where they would still have coffee and oatmeal and toast available.
“Now we’re seeing those meals gone within 15 minutes,” said Innis.
They have a supportive housing unit, which is two side-by-side houses that house ten individuals each.
“Those individuals in that housing unit are supported 24 hours a day,” said Innis.
Their residential school support program assists individuals that went through the residential school system in whatever ways they may need support.
“Whether that’s mental wellness work,” said Innis. “If that’s support getting in contact with healthcare providers, support going to the doctor, basically anything to support overall health and well-being.”
Their newly established Indigenous birth support worker program will support Indigenous mothers that are giving birth and help them through post- and prenatal care.
“We also have a brand-new family prevention program, which is aimed at working through and preventing interpersonal violence and domestic violence in households,” said Innis.
This April the centre will offer a justice program to work with individuals that have any kind of interactions with the justice system or corrections.
As the centre continues to work through the repairs from the fire to increase their services, they are excited about their upcoming events.
“The friendship centre has been incorporated since 1961 in Regina,” said Innis. “We are looking to host a gala that is celebrating 65 years of love and friendship in Regina.”
In February they will be co-hosting a round dance with the YWCA and the Kahkewistahaw First Nation.
“We are hosting our Modern Warriors—Heal the Healers yearly conference,” said Innis. “To provide support to frontline workers that are working with Indigenous populations, that’s going to be happening in March.”
Their annual powwow is coming up in June.
Next year they will be having their 2nd annual Men’s Conference that deals with men’s mental health.