The Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) is incredibly proud to share that our Board President, Tsapinaaki, Dr. Gabrielle Weasel Head, was honoured with the prestigious Esquao Award in the Culture category on May 7, 2026.
Tsapinaaki, Dr. Gabrielle Weasel Head is a respected Indigenous leader from the Kainai Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy, a scholar, and a community advocate. Her leadership continually strengthens Indigenous well-being, governance, and cultural continuity right here in Moh’kinsstis (Calgary).
Dr. Weasel Head’s vital contributions include advancing culturally rooted Indigenous housing, strengthening supports for individuals experiencing homelessness, and restoring cultural frameworks within urban systems. Her work creates tangible improvements in the lives of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Calgarians alike.
By modelling Blackfoot-informed governance centred on relationship, responsibility, and respect, her leadership uplifts the community and protects cultural integrity. She demonstrates true reconciliation through action, creating a lasting impact for present and future generations in a way that restores balance and strengthens our collective well-being.
Beyond her organizational leadership, Dr. Weasel Head is a respected Indigenous scholar and knowledge carrier. She actively brings Blackfoot perspectives into academic, civic, and policy spaces, ensuring Indigenous knowledge is recognized as intellectual, relational, and vital to our shared future.
The Esquao Awards, hosted by Esquao – Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW), recognize the outstanding achievements of Indigenous women across Alberta. Winning in the Culture category highlights how perfectly she embodies the strength and wisdom of Indigenous women’s leadership.
Please join our staff, volunteers, and community members in congratulating Dr. Weasel Head on this incredible, well-deserved honour.
