The M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre officially opened its doors to the community in June 2001, and was incorporated in August of 2001 but had operated in a minor capacity since May 1988.  It was driven by a grassroots initiative comprised of a core group of 50 Indigenous community members from Owen Sound.  The necessity for a Friendship Centre was the result of an assessment conducted in a focus group style format in 1995.  The Centre was established to address the social, spiritual, mental and physical needs of the Urban Indigenous population of
Owen Sound and surrounding area by providing a safe environment for the Indigenous peoples to participate in their community and to break down the cultural and systemic service barriers between local Indigenous and Non-Indigenous populations.