Indigenous Elders hold invaluable wisdom and play a vital role in our community.
AFCC is dedicated to honouring and supporting our Elders by providing culturally appropriate resources, programs, and spaces designed to enhance their well-being, foster connection, and ensure they can lead fulfilling lives while sharing their teachings.
Programs and Facilities
Elders Drop-in Centre (Kanakaa’tsinom)
About
Kanakaa’tsinom, meaning “All Friends Place” in Blackfoot, is Calgary’s first-ever Indigenous Elders Drop-in Centre. It provides a compassionate and welcoming space for Calgary’s vulnerable seniors.
Goals
To create a safe space for culture, language, and well-being; reduce social isolation; and provide a place for healing for friends and family. It’s an important part of the Truth and Reconciliation healing journey.
Who it Helps
Urban Indigenous Seniors and Elders. Open to all Indigenous Peoples.
Why it's Important
Offers a dedicated, permanent space focused on cultural reconnection, traditional ceremonies, language revitalization, and support services for mental health, disability, and basic needs. It honours the wisdom of Elders and fosters community rooted in Indigenous values.
Activities
Programming includes traditional ceremonies, language revitalization, support services, cultural crafts (like ribbon shirt making), Bingo, shared meals, and opportunities to connect. Humour and play are encouraged. Upcoming cooking classes focused on health.
Locations
4630 16 Ave NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 0L4.
How to Access
Elders can drop in anytime the Centre is open or contact Eugene Wilk to inquire about specific events.
Contact
Eugene Wilk (Program Manager, ewilk@afccalgary.org, or Vada Hoof (Program Support Staff, vhoof@afccalgary.org).
Elders express feeling safe, enjoying laughter and new friendships, learning new skills, and appreciating the supportive staff and inclusive environment.
“I feel I have an extended family that cares for me unconditionally. For this I’m so grateful.”.
The Elders’ Lodge Apartments (Omahkitapioyis)
About
See full description under Housing Services). This award-winning facility provides 12 units of affordable, safe, independent and culturally connected housing for Indigenous seniors.
Supports for Elders
Beyond housing, it offers cultural gathering spaces, land-based teachings, ceremonies, healing practices, crafting activities, and transportation for residents to attend programming at the Elders Drop-in Centre. Cultural gardens provide opportunities for harvesting sage and sweetgrass.
Contact
elderslodge@afccalgary.org or Corbin Huber (Operations Manager, CHuber@afccalgary.org.)
Other Elder Support
Beyond the core programs at the Drop-in Centre and the Lodge, AFCC provides and facilitates Elder support in numerous ways.
AFCC has coordinated essential health services, such as a Vaccination Clinic that administered over 400 vaccinations to Elders in a culturally sensitive environment.
Elders play a crucial guiding role across many AFCC programs, providing wisdom and traditional teachings for initiatives like Honouring the Bonds, the Navigation Centre, the Smudge Vow Program, and Youth Programming.
Elders lead and support cultural ceremonies (e.g., sweats, pipe ceremonies, healing circles) and share vital knowledge on topics like the Medicine Wheel, the Seven Sacred Teachings, traditional protocols, and residential school experiences.
AFCC facilitates intergenerational connections, creating opportunities like the Elders & Youth Gathering at the Lodge and sharing circles where Elders impart wisdom directly to youth.
Our Elder-focused facilities, Omahkkitapioyis Elders’ Lodge and Kanakaatsi’nom Elders’ Drop-in Centre, are vital community hubs that have marked significant milestones, including one-year anniversaries , and hosted honoured guests such as former TRC Commissioner Marie Wilson and the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.
Elders provide guidance and support for community members accessing services through the Navigation Centre, ensuring culturally safe connections.
