Changing the Outlook

For many Indigenous youth, especially those in urban centres, social and economic challenges create barriers when seeking better futures.

These barriers are compounded by challenges that Indigenous Peoples often face, such as higher levels of unemployment, lower health outcomes, higher foster care and incarceration rates, and increased homelessness and substance issues. This is compounded by racism, negative stereotypes and misinformation toward Indigenous Peoples and cultures. 

When Indigenous languages, identities, and lived experiences are belittled or misunderstood, it causes animosity, hopelessness and disconnection. This can lead to young Indigenous Peoples making poor choices in their formative years. However, the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) believes that many of these attitudes can be transformed through education, cultural engagement and understanding. The AFCC’s newest initiative will deliver two key streams of programming, the first being to foster healing and highlight cultural identity for urban Indigenous youth. This will be done through activities such as healing circles, cultural education, traditional harvesting, arts, and language. Youth will be given access to Elders and programs that support life skills, careers, and post-secondary education. The second stream will focus on reconciliation by engaging youth in public events where they will host information booths celebrating Indigenous cultures, sharing knowledge, and building understanding while strengthening their confidence and leadership skills.

The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) has previously provided funding for this vital initiative and is proud to support AFCC in continuing its transformational work. As young Indigenous Peoples transition into adulthood, the AFCC envisions lives filled with purpose and formed by the intention to live happy and well.

Diocese of Calgary