Press Articles about Friends United
Friends United has been featured in local, regional and national media for its work with Indigenous artists, reconciliation initiatives, exhibitions, community partnerships and cultural projects.
This collection brings together press articles, news reports and media coverage documenting the development of Friends United and the people, artists and communities connected with its work.
Media Coverage
2025
Pictou Advocate · October 2025
Friends United: Forging global connections and healing communities in Cape Breton (PDF)
Coverage of Friends United’s reconciliation work, international relationships, Indigenous art, mentorship and community partnerships in Cape Breton.
2024
The Inverness Oran · April 17, 2024
New defibrillator at Friends United
A long-standing partnership with EHS resulted in the donation of a defibrillator for the Friends United International Convention Centre.
2023
The Reporter · December 13, 2023
Hollywood actor, Inuit mask carver, youth mentor takes up knife making in latest endeavor (PDF)
A profile of Eric Schweig’s artistic journey from Inuit mask carving to knife making, including his work, mentorship and connection with Friends United and Gerry Sheena.
The Reporter · November 14, 2023
Friends United hosts book reading of Man Included (PDF)
Coverage of a book reading at Friends United centred on Christena Gillis’ Man Included and themes of love, acceptance and inclusion.
The Inverness Oran · September 6, 2023
Indigenous art featured at Alexander Graham Bell Museum (PDF)
Coverage of a Mi’kmaw art exhibition presented by the Victoria County Arts Council in partnership with Friends United and featuring Loretta and Shianne Gould, Darren Julian and Amanda Julian.
The Inverness Oran · May 31, 2023
Local Indigenous artists supported through rotary club auction (PDF)
Coverage of a Friends United and Port Hawkesbury Rotary Club art auction raising funds for art supplies for local Indigenous artists, with works by Loretta Gould, Shianne Gould and Eric Schweig.
The Reporter · May 24, 2023
Friends United excelling with work on reconciliation through multiple projects (PDF)
An overview of Friends United’s reconciliation work through political dialogue, Indigenous art installations, school partnerships, Reconciliation Talks and support for emerging Indigenous artists.
The Reporter · March 30, 2023
Friends United to display artwork at Nova Scotian paramedic stations (PDF)
Coverage of a Friends United and Emergency Health Services partnership bringing artwork by local Indigenous artists to paramedic stations across Nova Scotia.
Global News Morning Halifax · March 15, 2023
New Partnership sees Indigenous Art showcased at Paramedic Stations Across NS (Video)
Global News interviews Hereditary Chief Stephen Augustine and Lucas Bouman about the partnership between Friends United and EHS Operations bringing Indigenous art to paramedic stations across Nova Scotia.
2022
The Reporter · December 22, 2022
Friends United trio attend invite-only meeting with Chinese ambassador (PDF)
Coverage of Friends United representatives meeting with the Chinese ambassador to discuss cultural and educational exchange, international exposure for Indigenous artists and the protection of artists’ intellectual property.
The Reporter · December 1, 2022
Friends United hosts second annual reconciliation talks (PDF)
Coverage of the second annual Friends United Reconciliation Talks, hosted by Nancy Regan and focused on Indigenous heritage, culture, inclusivity and learning from the past to build a better future.
The Inverness Oran · November 30, 2022
Friends United Reconciliation Talks wrapped up last week (PDF)
A comprehensive report on the 2022 Friends United Reconciliation Talks, their participants and themes, together with an overview of Friends United’s Indigenous art, education and community partnerships.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport · October 13, 2022
Local Mi’kmaq Artist Loretta Gould Unveils New Permanent Display at Halifax Stanfield (PDF)
Halifax Stanfield highlights a permanent display of 24 works by Mi’kmaq artist Loretta Gould, whose transition from quilting to painting began at Friends United.
The Reporter · June 29, 2022
Loretta Gould ‘honoured’ to be part of installations (PDF)
A profile of Mi’kmaq artist Loretta Gould and her involvement in the Friends United–EHS initiative bringing Indigenous artwork to paramedic stations across Nova Scotia.
Cape Breton Post / SaltWire · June 20, 2022
Indigenous art to be on display at paramedic stations (PDF)
Coverage of the Friends United–EHS partnership bringing approximately 60 Mi’kmaq artworks to paramedic stations across Nova Scotia, beginning with works by Loretta Gould and Amanda Julian in Sydney.
The Reporter · April 27, 2022
Indigenous art donated by Friends United to Strait Richmond Palliative Care Society
Coverage of six Indigenous artworks donated by Friends United to the Strait Richmond Palliative Care Society for display in hospital and patient-care areas.
2021
The Reporter · August 23, 2021
Friends United founder nominated among Top 25 Immigrants of Canada (PDF)
Coverage of Friends United founder Rolf Bouman’s 2021 nomination for the Top 25 Immigrants of Canada, recognizing his work promoting Indigenous art and culture.
Cape Breton Post / SaltWire · July 2021
Paintings by mother-daughter artists from Cape Breton part of national awareness campaign
Coverage of Cape Breton mother-daughter artists Loretta and Shianne Gould and their participation in a national Indigenous art awareness campaign.
The Reporter · May 28, 2021
Full re-opening planned for Friends United Centre (PDF)
Coverage of plans to fully reopen the Friends United Centre to the public in 2021 while several new projects, including a totem pole installation, were underway.
The Cape Breton Post / SaltWire · May 2021
Centuries old B.C. tree to become totem pole in Cape Breton (PDF)
Indigenous artist bringing Salish culture to Unama’ki. A feature on West Coast artist Gerry Sheena, the centuries-old red cedar brought from British Columbia, and his totem pole work at the Friends United Centre in Cape Breton.
Cape Breton Post / SaltWire · May 2021
Private Indigenous art collection in Cape Breton will soon be open to the public (PDF)
Coverage of plans to open the Indigenous art collection at the Friends United Centre in Cape Breton to the public.
Cape Breton Post / SaltWire · March 2021
Empowering Cape Breton grandmothers to return to traditional Mi’kmaq leadership roles (PDF)
Coverage of an initiative supporting Cape Breton grandmothers in reconnecting with traditional Mi’kmaq leadership roles.
Watch the Video on YouTube
The Inverness Oran · February 15, 2021
453 year old white cedar trees get new life in Cape Breton (PDF)
Coverage of Coast Salish artist Gerry Sheena carving centuries-old white cedar at the Friends United International Convention Centre, including the creation of a monumental totem pole.
2019
The Reporter · March 2019
Artists work together at Friends United Centre (PDF)
Coverage of artists working together at the Friends United Centre and the collaborative environment created around Indigenous art and mentorship.
The Reporter · March 2019
Friends United Centre keeps building bridges (PDF)
Coverage of the Friends United Centre and its community-building work.
The Inverness Oran · March 2019
Friends United aims to bridge the divide between our cultures (PDF)
Coverage of Friends United and its efforts to build bridges between cultures.
2014
The Reporter · May 21, 2014
Rolf Bouman receives Cultural Award of Merit (PDF)
The Reporter documents Rolf Bouman receiving the Cultural Award of Merit at the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce annual dinner and awards gala.
2013
The Inverness Oran · May 1, 2013
First Nations art exhibit on display in Halifax (PDF)
Photo coverage of the 2013 Friends United exhibition in Halifax, featuring First Nations artwork, participating artists and guests including Jay Bell Redbird, Darren Julian, Sandra Simon and Fancy PeterPaul.
2012
Cape Breton Post · February 3, 2012
Friends United exhibit includes island artists (PDF)
Coverage of the 2012 Friends United exhibition at Halifax City Hall, featuring First Nations artists from Cape Breton and beyond and connecting the exhibit with the Friends United Book.
The Sunday Herald / The Chronicle Herald · January 29, 2012
Art ‘lifts people’s spirits’ – Mi’kmaq artists bring wealth of colour to Halifax city hall (PDF)
Feature on the Friends United Art Exhibit at Halifax City Hall, highlighting Mi’kmaq artists including Darren Julian, Lorne A. Julien and David J. Brooks and the initiative’s goal of building bridges through Indigenous art.
2011
The Inverness Oran · November 23, 2011
Friends United honours First Nation peoples and aboriginal artists (PDF)
Early coverage of the Friends United Book and its collaboration with First Nations artists, documenting the initiative’s goals of cultural understanding, bridge-building and international visibility for Indigenous art.