Origin of Friends United
Friends United began as an initiative dedicated to creating opportunities for Indigenous artists, strengthening cultural understanding, and encouraging dialogue around reconciliation. Founded by Rolf Bouman in 2009, the initiative grew over many years and eventually developed into the Friends United Foundation.
The following text documents the development of Friends United from its beginnings through the transition toward the Friends United Foundation.
The Beginning of the Friends United Initiative
Rolf Bouman emigrated from Germany to Canada in 1986 as a farmer, welder, and automotive mechanic. Soon after arriving in Canada, he realized that many First Nations people were impoverished and underappreciated. He also often witnessed unfounded friction between First Nations people and other North Americans, and became aware that this was a big problem on the North American continent. This is why he has been working for more than three decades through his Canadian corporate group, which he incorporated in 1989, on eliminating prejudice and on focussing the world’s attention on First Nations peoples and the urgent need for reconciliation and communication.
After researching for many years and working to ensure long-term funding, in 2009 Rolf Bouman founded the Friends United initiative. This is a forum, where, by displaying their valuable culture, First Nations peoples are gaining international exposure and additional recognition. Many of the Friends United artists have also grown to be role models in their communities as they have been able to become successful entrepreneurs through the business education and funding which they have received through the Friends United initiative.
By 2023, the Friends United initiative had become one of the largest of its kind in Canada. It had grown so significantly that the artists and Board of Directors decided to convert the initiative into a not-for-profit organization, which in 2024 will become the Friends United Foundation. This will allow other potential partners to help form funding relationships with the Friends United Foundation, and for the important work of the Foundation to reach more people.
In 2010 former Nova Scotia Premier Hon. Rodney MacDonald joined the initiative as an advisory board member, joined soon thereafter by Hereditary Mi’kmaq Chief Stephen Augustine (CM, DLitt., Alguimou). Together, they have been promoting and assisting many First Nations artists to become cultural ambassadors for their peoples and North America. Most importantly, they have been able in many ways to facilitate and progress the discussion of reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples of the North American continent.
From Initiative to Foundation
Since this account was written, Friends United has continued its development from the original initiative into the Friends United Foundation.
The Foundation builds on the relationships, artistic collaborations and commitment to cultural understanding that shaped Friends United from its beginnings. Its work continues to bring together Indigenous artists, cultural leaders and others through art, education, dialogue and reconciliation.