Please join us in honouring our CEO, Shane Gauthier, on his 8-year anniversary of leading the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary.
Eight years ago, Shane was asked to help guide an organization of 5 staff, operating out of a small garage and facing the possibility of closure.
His response was one of unwavering belief in our community.
Guided by his vision, tireless advocacy, and a “human-first” philosophy, Shane has led AFCC through a period of truly transformative growth. The organization you see today—a robust, resilient, and vital hub for urban Indigenous peoples—is a direct testament to his leadership and commitment to a vision of a healthy and thriving urban Indigenous community.
Under Shane’s guidance, AFCC has grown from a small office into a pillar of the community, achieving incredible milestones along the way:
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Pioneering New Homes: Opening the award-winning Omahkitapioyis Elders’ Lodge, a $5.7 million home for our wisdom keepers, and the vibrant Kanakaa’tsinom Elders’ Drop-in Centre.
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Expanding Our Housing: Acquiring an 8-unit apartment building to provide crucial, independent non-market housing for our relatives.
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Building Trust on the Front Lines: Launching the Indigenous-led Encampment Team to meet our most vulnerable relatives where they are and build pathways to housing.
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Restoring Identity: Establishing the overwhelmingly successful Status Card Clinic, which has helped over 1,000 people renew or obtain their status in its first year alone.
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Forging Key Partnerships: Securing a historic partnership with The Confluence to create a new ceremonial and cultural space, and growing our partnerships to over 36 active funding agreements.
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Leading in Crisis: Answering the call during the COVID-19 pandemic to launch one of Canada’s first and most successful Indigenous-led vaccination clinics.
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Evidence-based Pathways to Growth: Actioning Indigenous research methodologies in program evaluation, strategic direction and capacity building grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
…and the list goes on.
Shane, your dedication has turned a small garage into a city-wide movement of hope, healing, and connection. Your innovative and visionary leadership inspires us all. Thank you for your 8 years of relentless service to the community. We are so proud to walk this journey with you.
Congratulations on this incredible milestone. We are incredibly fortunate to have your stable leadership and unwavering commitment guiding us. The community is stronger for it, and we look forward to building this legacy with you for many, many more years to come.
From all of us at the AFCC Board, Members, Staff, and Community
A promotional graphic for the AFCC website, encouraging users to click and read about Shane Gauthier’s 8 years as CEO. It features his photo and the AFCC logo.