Friends United International Convention Centre
A Cultural Meeting Place in Cape Breton
The Friends United International Convention Centre in Unama’ki, Cape Breton, is a gathering place for Indigenous art, cultural education, collaboration, and respectful dialogue. It provides the setting for many Friends United conversations, artist collaborations, and reconciliation talks.
This short 2-minute walk-through offers a first impression of the Friends United International Convention Centre in Unama’ki, Cape Breton. It shows some of the rooms, artworks, carvings, drums, masks, murals, and gathering spaces that make the centre a living place of cultural exchange.
The video helps visitors understand the setting behind many Friends United conversations, performances, collaborations, and reconciliation talks. It is not a museum tour, but a glimpse into a place where Indigenous artists, guests, and friends from different backgrounds come together through art, dialogue, and shared respect.
A Place for Indigenous Art, Culture, and Dialogue
The Friends United International Convention Centre complex was constructed for the purpose of honouring all Indigenous North American peoples and celebrating their culture and heritage.
It features the largest private collection in Atlantic Canada of Indigenous art including Inuit carvings. As the Centre welcomes visitors from different regions and countries, Indigenous artists connected to the Friends United initiative are able to share their artwork with a broad and diverse audience.
Both the Friends United International Convention Centre and the Friends United initiative aim at supporting Indigenous artists on their spiritual, artistic, and entrepreneurial journeys. The Friends United initiative is known to many people worldwide and has assisted in making Indigenous artists spiritual and cultural ambassadors for Canada.
The Friends United initiative and the Friends United International Convention Centre Complex are not funded by any government agencies or other parties. Both are solely funded and supported by the Bouman Group which consists of Canadian Pioneer Estates Ltd., Canec Land Developments Inc., Kelly Robertson Consulting Inc. and (Ad)Venture Canada Publishing Inc.
Meetings, Workshops & Special Events
Beyond its role as a home for Indigenous art and Friends United conversations, the Friends United International Convention Centre is also used as a place for meetings, workshops, community gatherings, cultural events, and professional productions. Its rooms and gathering spaces have welcomed organizations, businesses, community groups, government representatives, artists, speakers, musicians, and visitors in a setting shaped by Indigenous art and respectful dialogue.
Events and gatherings at the Centre have included educational sessions, diversity and inclusion meetings, council and community meetings, industry and partnership gatherings, concerts, cultural programs, and selected film and media productions. These uses reflect the broader purpose of the Centre: to provide a meaningful space where art, culture, learning, conversation, and collaboration can meet.
Many of these visits, gatherings and partnerships are also part of Friends United’s broader outreach and community connections.
Visits, meetings, and events are arranged by appointment.
A few examples of gatherings and events held at the Friends United International Convention Centre.
Cape Breton Partnership Session at Friends United Convention Centre
Cape Breton Partnership session at Friends United.
Ashley MacIsaac at KitchenFest Friends United Convention Centre
Ashley MacIsaac performing during KitchenFest at Friends United.
Filming at Friends United International Convention Centre
FFilm and media production at Friends United.
Professional Gathering at Friends United Convention Centre
Professional gathering at Friends United in Cape Breton.
The artworks and displays inside the Friends United International Convention Centre change over time. This gallery offers a glimpse into the rooms, artwork, carvings, and gathering spaces that shape the atmosphere of the Centre.
Friends United International Convention Centre Aerial View
Aerial view of the Friends United International Convention Centre, artist residences, and studios for art creation in Cape Breton.
Friends United International Convention Centre Exterior Entrance View
The entrance of the Friends United International Convention Centre in Cape Breton.
Friends United International Convention Centre Exterior at sunset
The Friends United International Convention Centre in Cape Breton.
Main Hall at Friends United International Convention Centre
Main hall inside the Friends United International Convention Centre with Indigenous artwork and totem poles.
Lounge Area at Friends United International Convention Centre
Lounge area inside the Friends United International Convention Centre, with artwork, seating, and a remembrance feature.
Welcome Area at Friends United International Convention Centre
Welcome area inside the Friends United International Convention Centre with carved woodwork and Indigenous artwork.
Gallery Corridor at Friends United International Convention Centre
Gallery corridor inside the Friends United International Convention Centre with Indigenous paintings displayed along the walls.
Gathering Room at Friends United International Convention Centre
A gathering room inside the Friends United International Convention Centre, framed by carved totem poles and beams.
Staircase and Drum Area at Friends United Convention Centre
Interior area with drums, artwork, and a staircase inside the Friends United International Convention Centre.
Gordon Fiddler Artwork at Friends United Convention Centre
Artwork by Gordon Fiddler displayed inside the Friends United International Convention Centre.
Gallery Room at Friends United International Convention Centre
Gallery room inside the Friends United International Convention Centre with display cases and Indigenous artwork.
454-Year-Old Wood Table at Friends United Convention Centre
A wood table made from a 454-year-old tree inside the Friends United International Convention Centre.
Seating Area at Friends United International Convention Centre
A seating and gathering area inside the Friends United International Convention Centre.
Colourful Indigenous Paintings at Friends United Convention Centre
Colourful Indigenous paintings displayed along a corridor inside the Friends United International Convention Centre.
Carvings and Indigenous Artwork at Friends United Convention Centre
Small carvings and framed Indigenous artwork displayed inside the Friends United International Convention Centre.
Artwork Display at Friends United International Convention Centre
A display wall with paintings and cultural objects inside the Friends United International Convention Centre.
James Jacko Artwork at Friends United Convention Centre
A seating area inside the Friends United International Convention Centre with artwork by James Jacko.
Artwork Room at Friends United Convention Centre
A bright seating area with Indigenous artwork inside the Friends United International Convention Centre.
Loretta Gould Quilts at Friends United Convention Centre
Quilts by Loretta Gould displayed along a staircase inside the Friends United International Convention Centre.
Indigenous Paintings and Seating Area at Friends United Convention Centre
A seating area surrounded by Indigenous paintings inside the Friends United International Convention Centre.
Explore More from Friends United
The Friends United International Convention Centre is closely connected to the wider Friends United initiative, including artist collaborations, reconciliation conversations, community projects, and cultural programs.
Explore related pages to learn more about the work connected to the Centre: