Elder Dr. Reg Crowshoe and Shane Gauthier, CEO of AFCC cutting the Ribbon at the Elders Space Grand Opening Ceremony (Photo Credits - Keith Driver)
Elders and special guests gathered in celebrating the grand opening of the Indigenous Seniors Centre at the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC).
All Friends Place, or in Blackfoot, Kanakaat’sinom, is a safe, ethical space where Calgary’s most vulnerable Indigenous seniors can access programming on culture, basic needs, mental health, disability supports and communication.
Shane Gauthier, CEO of AFCC spoke with CJWE about how proud he and his staff are to see the new space open within the friendship centre, saying it’s a safe space for all Indigenous Elders to gather and to conduct ceremonies.
Shane Gauthier, CEO of AFCC speaking at the Grand Opening of the Elders Space (Photo Credits- Daniel Barker-Tremblay)
Gauthier goes on to talk about the overwhelming positive reception from the Indigenous communities and Elders that helped shape the space to what it is today.
Ribbon cutting for the new Elders Space at the AFCC (Photo Credits – Daniel Barker-Tremblay)
Gauthier hopes that other jurisdictions across the province will take the similar model and apply to places that can aid the vulnerable and the elderly.
City of Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says that the space is a first of it’s kind within the city, and emphasizes the importance of the space for Elders to gather and pass on their teachings withing a space that is welcoming to all Indigenous cultures.
City of Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek speaking at the AFCC Elders Space Grand Opening Ceremony (Photo Credits – Daniel Barker-Tremblay)
See more photos from the AFCC Elders Space Grand Opening
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