ABOUT
Oki, Tansi, Danit’ada, Aba Washded, Taanishi, Sangaay Laa, Hello!
The Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) serves as a vital support and community resource for urban Indigenous Peoples in Calgary. We offer culturally relevant programs and services focused on social connection, cultural revitalization, education, employment, housing, and overall well-being.
From Elders to youth, we are committed to fostering belonging and empowerment across generations. As “Many Nations. One Family.”™, we invite you to explore our services, learn about our impact through initiatives like the Elders Lodge and Indigenous Hub, and connect with our community. Find support, get involved, or donate today.
The Friendship Centre Movement
A National & Provincial Network of Support
The Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) is proud to be part of the vital Friendship Centre Movement, a network of over 100 community-led, self-determined Indigenous organizations operating across Canada.
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Originating in the mid-1950s, Friendship Centres emerged as a grassroots response to the growing number of Indigenous peoples migrating to urban areas, providing essential, culturally relevant services and fostering a sense of community and belonging.
For over half a century, these centres have become the country’s most significant off-reserve Indigenous service delivery infrastructure, helping urban Indigenous individuals and families access resources for housing, employment, education, health, and cultural reconnection. Friendship Centres are renowned for their ability to bridge gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and are trusted hubs for support, advocacy, and cultural revitalization. In Alberta, these centres serve over 100,000 people annually, welcoming all community members with a status-blind and non-political approach.
AFCC operates within this supportive national and provincial framework. Nationally, the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC), established in 1972, serves as a unifying body, advocating for the concerns of urban Indigenous Peoples and representing the needs of local Friendship Centres to the federal government and the public.
Provincially, the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) was the first Provincial/Territorial Association incorporated in Canada (1970) and supports its member Friendship Centres throughout Alberta. ANFCA plays a crucial role in enhancing the capacity of centres like AFCC, fostering collaboration, and ensuring programs and services effectively meet the needs of urban Indigenous communities across the province. Our connection to ANFCA and NAFC strengthens our ability to deliver impactful services and advocate for the holistic well-being of the Indigenous community in Calgary.
In Alberta, these centres serve over 100,000 people annually, welcoming all community members with a status-blind and non-political approach.
A cornerstone of cultural connection, offering vital support and fostering resilience for Indigenous peoples in Calgary.
Our Locations
The Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary operates from multiple locations throughout the city, bringing vital programs and services directly to the urban Indigenous community. From our central Indigenous Hub to specialized facilities serving Elders, youth, and families, our locations serve as welcoming spaces for connection, support, and cultural engagement. Find the AFCC location nearest you below:
Main Office
316 7 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 2H3. Oversees operations and strategic planning.
The Indigenous Hub ("IITAOHKANITSINI’KOTSIIYIO’P")
316 7 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 2H3. A welcoming centre (“a place of conversation”) fostering belonging, cultural connection, and healing. Offers programming in language, culture, education, employment, health/wellness, women’s/youth services, crime prevention, and community reintegration.
Elders’ Drop-In Centre (“KANAKAA’TSINOM”)
4630 16 Ave NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 0L4. Meaning “All Friends Place”, this is Calgary’s first Indigenous Elders’ Drop-in Centre. It provides a compassionate space offering traditional ceremonies, language revitalization, and support for mental health, disability, and basic needs.
The Navigation and Support Centre
420 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 0R9 (Located at Salvation Army Centre of Hope ). Connects vulnerable and unhoused individuals with essential supports and services.
The Elders’ Lodge (Omahkitapioyis)
352 34 Ave NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 2J7. A 12-unit affordable housing facility for Indigenous seniors in Highland Park. Features cultural gathering spaces for land-based teachings, ceremonies, and healing. Named “Omahkitapioyis” meaning “Elders’ Lodge”.
Aboriginal Housing - The Bromley Place
120 29 Ave NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 2L8. An 8-unit apartment building offering Aboriginal housing.
The Confluence Partnership Site
750 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 5E1 (The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland). Site of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between AFCC and The Confluence to create an accessible indoor space for Indigenous Peoples to gather, hold ceremonies, and reconnect with culture.
The Indigenous Warming Centre (Seasonal)
4628 16 Ave NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 0M8. Calgary’s first Indigenous-led warming centre, offering culturally sensitive support to Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals. Operates seasonally (e.g., November to April).
Mission, Vision & Core Values
Mission
We build relations that lead to cultural connection and economic inclusion for our urban community.
Vision
We remove barriers and uplift our urban community through cultural reconnection, programs, services, and access to resources that address the social and economic realities of our people.
Core Values
Humble, Innovative, Respectful, Supportive, Accountable, Transparent, Inclusive, Collaborative.
Safe, welcoming spaces for everyone. Healing together, fostering belonging, uplifting our Indigenous community.
What We Do
The Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing social, cultural, education, and employment services to the Aboriginal Peoples within the Calgary Metropolitan area. Following a holistic and traditional approach, we play a significant role in the daily lives of our community members by providing care for children, Elders, and those in need. Our commitment is to remove barriers faced by the Indigenous population by offering culturally-grounded programs that foster a true sense of belonging and connection.
AFCC offers a wide range of programs and services under key umbrellas: Community Outreach and Cultural Reconnection, Housing Services, Community Member Services, and Elders Services. This includes operating supportive housing like the Elders Lodge (Omahkitapioyis) and Bromley Place, running the Kanakaa’tsinom Elders Drop-in Centre, the Indigenous Warming Centre, and the Navigation and Support Centre. We facilitate cultural reconnection through initiatives like Honouring the Bonds, Youth Programming, and the Smudge Vow program, and provide essential services like the Status Card Clinic. We also engage in vital community partnerships, such as the Confluence project, and initiatives supporting those affected by Gender-Based Violence.
Who We Serve
The Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary is dedicated to serving the People of Calgary, with a special emphasis on supporting the diverse urban Indigenous population – including First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis, and Inuit individuals. We estimate this community includes around 44,000 individuals within the Calgary Metropolitan area. Our services, programs, and support systems are designed for individuals of all ages—youth, teens, adults, and Elders.
While our primary focus is the Indigenous community, we welcome engagement from non-Indigenous individuals and organizations seeking information. We provide support across essential areas such as housing, food security, education, employment services, and access to vital resources like warming centres, all within a safe, culturally sensitive environment. We offer opportunities to reconnect with culture through traditional practices guided by Elders and Knowledge Holders, paying particular attention to supporting vulnerable community members, including seniors, those experiencing homelessness, individuals seeking mental health or addiction support, and those impacted by the justice system or gender-based violence.
Estimated Urban Indigenous Peoples within the Calgary Metropolitan area
Nurturing holistic well-being, honouring Indigenous heritage, building a vibrant future together.
Partnerships
Collaboration is fundamental to the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary’s ability to provide culturally relevant services.
We are grateful for the strong relationships we have built with First Nations partners like government bodies e.g. (Indigenous Services Canada, Alberta Health Services, City of Calgary), community organizations (e.g., The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland, #NotInMyCity, SORCe, agencies supporting the Calgary Indigenous Court), and funders (e.g., Calgary Homeless Foundation, Alberta National Friendship Centre Association, United Way of Calgary and Area). These partnerships enhance our capacity to serve the urban Indigenous community effectively
Governance
Introducing Our New Board President:
Dr. Gabrielle Weasel Head (Tsapinaaki)
The Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) is thrilled to introduce our new Board President, Dr. Gabrielle Weasel Head, Tsapinaaki. Her election marks a pivotal moment for our Centre, reinforcing the importance of strong, culturally grounded Indigenous leadership.
A Message from Our Board President
Oki Niksokowaiks, greetings everyone. I’m Dr. Gabrielle Weasel Head, Tsapinaaki, from the Kainaiwa Nation, and I am honoured to serve as President of the Aboriginal Friendship Centre Calgary’s Board of Directors. I am passionate about uplifting Indigenous perspectives and fostering inclusive, respectful, and resilient communities.
Our Board, staff, and community are united by our core values of humility, innovation, respect, support, accountability, transparency, inclusiveness, and collaboration. Guided by the wisdom of our ancestors and the strength of our community, we are dedicated to supporting the continued thriving of our languages, lands, and cultures.
Thank you for your ongoing support and belief in the work we do together. I invite you to stay connected, share your insights, and help us strengthen our circle of partnerships as we move forward.
Connect with the Board
- Email: afccboard@afccalgary.org
Meet our Board Vice President:
Del Majore
Del Majore proudly hails from the traditional Métis community of Lebret, near Regina, SK, and is a dedicated citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta. With extensive experience as a Consultant and Counsellor across diverse fields, Del is deeply committed to serving and uplifting Indigenous community members.
As AFCC’s Board Vice President, Del’s focus is on fostering wellness, encouraging others to pursue their dreams, and building strong, supportive community connections. He is passionate about recognizing and empowering the strengths within individuals and organizations alike, and is enthusiastic about helping teams and communities achieve their goals.
A lifelong advocate for the Friendship Centre movement, Del has been actively involved since childhood. He remains eager to continue learning from Elders and from those around him, inspired by the collective journey toward growth, wellness, and reconciliation.
Meet Our Board Member: Grandmother Leanne Sleigh, Siksika Leader
Leanne is a respected Siksika leader, deeply rooted in her community and the Blackfoot ways. She currently serves as the Traditional Wellness Program Coordinator for Siksika Health Services, where she weaves together Siksika teachings, ceremonies, and trauma-informed care to support the wellness and cultural strength of her people.
Her leadership has guided programs for youth and families, ensuring that younger generations continue to connect with the Siksika way of life through meaningful workshops and gatherings. Leanne’s work is instrumental in delivering Siksika culture into medical units, ensuring that patients can safely practice their traditional connections with their higher power, even within hospital systems. She works alongside Traditional Grandfathers to bring Siksika culture to surrounding communities.
A gifted speaker and ceremony holder, Leanne has dedicated nearly 17 years to this path. She is a pillar for her family—a mother to six and grandmother to six—and wife to Jonathan Sleigh, who is also a respected ceremony holder. Born and raised on Niitsítapi land, Siksika Nation—the heart of the Blackfoot Confederacy—Leanne continues to uplift community, culture, and kinship on her ancestral territory.
We are truly honoured to have Grandmother Leanne on our Board. Her wisdom, teachings, and guidance enrich all of us at AFCC, and we are forever thankful for her.