The Brandon Friendship Centre Inc. will take over the planning and delivery of annual Truth and Reconciliation events in Brandon, Manitoba, following a change in federal funding that ends a long-standing city-contracted coordinator role on March 31, 2026.
The position was previously supported by Indigenous Services Canada through the Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples initiative. The federal department has introduced a new funding model that redirects support away from municipalities and directly toward Indigenous-led service providers. This change concludes a contracted coordinator role that has assisted the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council since 2015.
While the administrative role is changing, the city remains committed to its part in local reconciliation efforts. The City of Brandon will continue to provide its annual $20,000 contribution toward Truth and Reconciliation events, which are typically held at the Riverbank Discovery Centre. These events often include programming such as the Orange Shirt Day Walk to the former Brandon Residential School site.
The shift in delivery aligns with a broader federal move to support Indigenous-led organizations. On March 27, 2026, Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty announced a $168 million investment over five years to support the national Friendship Centre movement. Residents can find details regarding upcoming local programming at brandonfriendshipcentreinc.ca.
