Resources

FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

FOR EDUCATORS

Looking for services in Tiohtià:ke (Montreal)?

If you are a student, a future student, or a family member here is some useful information about services in the city: counselling, medical, food banks, child care, LGBTQ2S+ supports, legal, sexual assault, domestic violence, family programs and more.

For starters, it is a good idea to:

Check what services are available through the Indigenous Student Centre or Student Services at your college or university. Most have medical and counselling services and can refer you to other student friendly services in the city.
Call before you make the trek to a clinic or other service. Information on websites is not always up to date.
Ask other students and people you trust what services they have used and liked.

CEGEP & University Indigenous Resource Centres

Dawson College First Peoples’ Centre

John Abbott College Indigenous Student Resource Centre

Vanier College A’no:wara Indigenous Student Center

Champlain College Aboriginal Students’ Office

CÉGEP Marie-Victorin RAC for Indigenous Peoples

Concordia Aboriginal Students Resource Center

McGill University First Peoples House

UQAM page for Indigenous students and their Facebook group

Cercle des Première Nations de l’Université du Québec à Montréal A student association made up of Indigenous and non-Indigenous members that supports UQAM indigenous students, particularly in their integration into university and urban life.

L’Université de Montréal page for Indigenous students

Salon Uatik des étudiant.e.s autochtones – UdeM

Nunavik Sivunitsavut (NS) available to high school graduates from Nunavik to study at NS. Located at the Avataq Cultural Institute in downtown Montreal, NS offers a one-year program that teaches students about Inuit culture, history, governance, and language.

First Nations Postsecondary Institution Le CEPN est l’association de Premières Nations et de communautés qui poursuivent un but commun en vue de maîtriser entièrement leur éducation.

Pygma Explore all Quebec colleges and resources through an educational information system developed by SRAM (Service régional d’admission du Montréal métropolitain). Its purpose is to assist those interested in college studies to explore programs leading to a Diploma of College Studies (DCS) colleges (public and private) offering those programs in Québec.

Indigenous organizations in Montreal

Each organization offers various programs and services.

Native Friendship Centre of Montreal Inc. Provides services to the urban Indigenous population of Montreal and their families and is the only comprehensive service and referral point in the Greater Montreal Area (GMA) in relation to health, social services, legal, orientation/information, education, training, and employment referral for those migrating to or through the city including those from across Quebec, Canada, and the Americas.

Native Montreal created by Indigenous people, offers services, advocacy and cultural activities. Its mission is to contribute to the holistic health, cultural strength and success of Indigenous families, individuals, and community living in the Montreal area. They are a member of the national and provincial friendship center movements by becoming members of the RCAAQ and the NAFC.

Resilience Montreal a day shelter open to everyone, providing food and shelter as well as mental health and medical support services and access to a multitude of other resources.

Montreal Indigenous Community NETWORK supports the ecosystem of individuals and groups committed to improving the quality of life of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities living in the greater Montreal area. They are more an advocacy network, than a direct service organization but have great resources on their website, including this Montreal Aboriginal reference Guide: Empowering through employability, training and education.

Inuit Siqinirmiut Quebecmi Ilaujut / Southern Quebec Inuit Association was created to answer the needs of the growing population of Inuit outside of Inuit Nunangat, living mostly in Montreal. SQIA is there to serve all Inuit who live outside their ancestral territories. It is an information hub and place of discussion and sharing of information on issues that are of concern to Southern Quebec including housing, health and justice.

Quebec Native Women Inc. (QNW) The Association supports Aboriginal women in their efforts to better their living conditions through the promotion of nonviolence, justice, equal rights and health. Their offer programs and services for families and youth.

Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal offers support and frontline services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and children to promote their empowerment and independence. (514) 933-4688 Toll Free: 1-866-403-4688

First People’s Justice Centre The Centre is active in supporting Aboriginal people in their dealings with the justice system.

Native Para-Judicial Services of Quebec Assists Indigenous peoples in matters relating to the criminal justice system.

CLE de Verdun – Urban Inuit Devoted especially to the Inuit community, the Ivirtivik project is an employability and skills development initiative for Inuit 18 years and older. The idea for Ivirtivik took root in Verdun, a southern borough of Montreal, and embraces the vision of helping participants to connect to the community through concrete activities that combine their values, talents and preferences.

Projets Autochtones du Québec a non-profit organization based upon social and professional development of First Nations, Metis and Inuit of Quebec territory.

First Nations Human Resources Development Services of Montreal Responsible for administering the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program and the Urban ISET Program, which supports First Nations, Métis and Inuit people living in urban areas across Quebec.

Makivik Corporation ᒪᑭᕝᕕᒃ – Société Makivik An organization mandated to protect the rights, interests and financial compensation for Inuit provided by the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, the first comprehensive Inuit land claim in Canada.

Avataq Cultural Institute Inc. The Inuit cultural organization of Nunavik.

First Nations Botanical Gardens 2.5 hectare garden inspired by First Nations and Inuit cultures, offers Indigenous guided cultural activities.

Indigenous School Boards

Kativik Ilisarniliriniq School Board An exclusive Inuit institution with unique powers and jurisdictions that aim to protect, maintain, and develop the Inuit language, culture, and way of life.

Cree School Board To serve and empower Eeyou Istchee Cree as well as to protect language, culture, and traditional pursuits.

First Nations Regional Adult Education Centre (FNRAEC) Committed to providing high quality adult learning environments that focus on culturally relevant student-centered learning in a safe and healthy environment in Kahnawake, Montreal, Gesgapegiag, Kitci Amik, Lac Simon, Listuguj, Uashat mak Mani-Utenam

Medical Services

Universities & Cegeps have medical and mental health services that registered students have access to. This is your best bet at receiving services and/or being referred to an appropriate service.

Info Santé – call 811 to talk to a nurse if you or a family member is not well and you are not sure what to do. Service offered in English and French.

First Nations and Inuit Suicide Prevention Association of Quebec & Labrador A non-profit Aboriginal organization contributing to the well-being and balance of the lives of Aboriginal people of Quebec through activities of community awareness, prevention, and education. (514) 933-6066 Toll-free: 1-888-933-6066

Québec Medical Appointment Scheduler You can make an appointment online to see a doctor online.

List of Walk-in Clinics in Montreal

Call to check opening hours before going to a clinic.
A valid health insurance card is needed at government clinics.

First Nations and Inuit Health Branch /Quebec Region (514) 283-4774 Toll Free: 1-866-225-0709

Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay – Cree Patient Services Responsible for the administration of health and social services for all persons residing either permanently or temporarily in Montreal.

Youth & LGBTQ2+ friendly community organizations

Head & Hands/ A Deux Main provides medical, counselling, and legal services to youth ages 12-25 and welcome anyone within this age range with or without health insurance. To discuss when to get into the need to call or email to arrange best time for you to go 514-481-0277 or clinic@headandhands.ca

Project 10 is a meeting place and advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex, queer, trans, two-spirit, and questioning youth in Montréal, QC. Through advocacy and education, using a harm reduction approach, Project 10 aims to facilitate the empowerment of (2LGBTQ+) youth and adults 14-25, at individual, community, and institutional levels with a particular emphasis on supporting individuals and groups who experience multiple and intersecting oppressions. Services are free of charge, confidential and anonymous.

Onen’to:kon Treatment Services A trauma-focused, cultural-based program, which incorporates traditional practices of healing, Onen’tó:kon (Under the Pines) Healing Lodge serves native men & women who are over the age of 18 with drug and/or alcohol addictions.

Childcare

Childcare is an essential service, yet not always easily available for students and families. In Montreal, there are often waiting lists for affordable government subsidized daycare.

It is always a good idea to:

Check with student services at your educational institution for updated lists of available daycare options.
Call ahead or check the event page to see if childcare services are being offered by the organizer of any event or activity you want to attend.

Rising Sun Child Care Centre is grounded in Indigenous perspectives of childcare. Their goal is to provide, in partnership with the parents or legal guardian, quality educational programs that promote the holistic growth and development of all children, from birth to 5 years old, either in our centre or in the home environment.

La Place 0-5 lists daycare options and general information about registering your child at a childcare centre: You will need to put your name on a waiting list. Do it when you are still pregnant or when your child is a newborn.

Required documents: your child’s original birth certificate, Medicare card, vaccination booklet, proof of Canadian citizenship for at least one parent (Indian Status card, birth certificate, passport, citizenship card, or permanent resident card).

Quebec Daycare fees and other information

School-aged child daycare before and after school hours All public elementary schools provide care for children between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm and at lunchtime. You will be charged approximately $8.00 per day.

Young Parents Program in N.D.G. a place for parents or parents-to-be under the age of 25 to meet and connect with other parents in a friendly, casual, and inviting atmosphere; a space for parents to share experiences and resources; meets every Wednesday and Friday from 12:00 to 3:30 and includes a free hot lunch at the beginning of each day; offers a wide range of activities, workshops and discussions while your kids join in the childcare program. As a YPP parent you will also have access to free children’s clothing, toys, and accessories. All of the YPP activities are free unless noted, and two bus tickets are available for each parent at the end of every session.

Summer Camps

Camp Iorahkote is a summer day camp run by Native Montreal, a great resource for all kinds of family activities.

Montreal Families lists of camps and other family activities.

Camps in Quebec government listing