Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association - ANFCA

08/19/2026

Our Centre Elder Senator Linda Boudreau arrangements are August 21, 2026 Friday @ 2:30 pm we will be leaving Grace Gardens Funeral Chapel Ltd. And bring Aunty Linda to the Mannawanis Native Friendship Centre for a one night wake. Service for National Elders Senator will be August 22, 2026, start time 10 am. It will be a Traditional Service, please ladies wear your skirts if you plan to join the pipe ceremony.

08/18/2026

08/17/2026

Today, our hearts are heavy at ANFCA as we grieve and honor the extraordinary life and timeless spirit of Kukom Linda Boudreau Semaganis, a cherished matriarch, leader, and guiding light for all of us.

Kukom Linda was a foundational pillar within the Friendship Centre Movement, serving with grace, strength, and unwavering dedication as the Alberta Senator for the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) and a deeply respected elder for the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA). She carried an aura that felt truly timeless, offering a steady, gentle presence through every shift and season.

Her life’s work was rooted in deep love for her people and an fierce commitment to justice. She was a vital advocate in addressing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+), ensuring that the voices of our women were heard, protected, and honored. Through her advocacy, wisdom, and practice of true relationship, she uplifted generations and helped shape the path forward for urban Indigenous communities across Alberta and Turtle Island.

For the ANFCA staff and all who worked alongside her, the space she leaves behind is profound and irreplaceable. Her laughter, humour, gentle guidance, and quiet power will be missed beyond measure in our hearts.

We extend our deepest condolences, prayers, and love to her family, loved ones, and community. May her spirit journey in peace and comfort, and may her legacy continue to guide us as we walk the trail she helped clear.

Kukom Linda. You will be forever loved, remembered, and missed

07/31/2026

ANFCA is excited to announce that Lois Duke, from the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, was elected as the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) Vice President this week at the NAFC Annual General Meeting in Brandon, Manitoba.

Lois brings years of deep-rooted commitment, wisdom, and passion for the Friendship Centre movement to her new national role.

Please join us in sending our warmest congratulations and support to Lois as she steps into this leadership journey on the national stage.

07/30/2026

July 30th is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. On this day, we join the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to recognise the members of our global community who are impacted by human trafficking.

This year’s theme “Trapped Behind the Scam” brings awareness to industrial-scale financial fraud operations where transnational organized crime groups traffic and exploit thousands of people across the world. This is a rising form of trafficking in persons which is closely intertwined with cybercrime, financial fraud, money-laundering and corruption.

Trafficking of Indigenous people and the MMIWG crisis share the same risk factors, and with significant trafficking corridors within Alberta and the rest of Canada, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons reminds us that protecting against the human trafficking and sexual exploitation of Indigenous Peoples is our shared responsibility.

If you or someone you know is at risk of human trafficking, please call:
🔴 Non-emergency crisis and resource support: 211
🔴 Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010

07/29/2026

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA)
Edmonton, Alberta

About ANFCA
Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) is the provincial association representing Alberta's member Friendship Centres. Working in partnership with member Friendship Centres, Elders, Knowledge Holders, governments, and community organizations, ANFCA advances the Friendship Centre Movement by strengthening Indigenous communities through advocacy, capacity building, strategic partnerships, and culturally grounded programs and services.

Guided by Indigenous values, respect, and relationship-based leadership, ANFCA is committed to supporting the well-being and success of Indigenous peoples and communities across Alberta.

The Opportunity
ANFCA is seeking a visionary and relationship-focused Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organization through an exciting period of growth, strategic advancement, and community impact.

Reporting to the Board of Directors through the Executive Committee, the CEO will provide strategic leadership to advance ANFCA's mission of strengthening the Friendship Centre Movement and supporting Indigenous communities across Alberta.

Guided by Indigenous values, cultural stewardship, and relationship-based leadership, the CEO will lead the implementation of ANFCA's Strategic Priorities and Goals 2025–2030. Working closely with the Board of Directors, member Friendship Centres, Elders, Youth, Knowledge Holders, governments, and community partners, the CEO will champion advocacy, strengthen partnerships, promote organizational sustainability, and foster a collaborative, accountable workplace culture.

The successful candidate will play a key leadership role in advancing ANFCA's Strategic Priorities and Goals 2025–2030, strengthening organizational capacity, expanding partnerships, enhancing advocacy efforts, and supporting the continued growth and impact of the Friendship Centre Movement throughout Alberta.

This position is based in Edmonton and requires regular travel throughout Alberta.

To view the full CEO job posting, please visit: anfca.com/careers

06/24/2026

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Elder Dorothy Courtereille
It is with deep respect, heavy hearts, and profound sadness that the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) share the passing of beloved Cree Elder Dorothy Courterielle, affectionately known to many as "Big Girl".

Dorothy became a foundational pillar of the Hinton community and a deeply cherished member of the ANFCA Elders’ Wisdom Circle.
Dorothy dedicated her life to sharing traditional knowledge, leading sacred ceremonies, and supporting her community as well as a long, beautiful history with the Friendship Centre Movement of Alberta.

As a prominent figure at the Hinton Friendship Centre Society, she regularly guided community members in cultural teachings. Her profound impact spanned across grassroots care, cultural preservation, and youth education.

Beyond her spiritual guidance, Dorothy was one of the original founders of the Hinton Food Bank, ensuring that vulnerable people in her community always had access to food, a mission she continued to support later in life.

Elder Dorothy’s legacy of unconditional love, community service, and cultural pride will continue to guide the Friendship Centre movement. We extend our deepest condolences, prayers, and love to her family, friends, and the entire Hinton community.

Service Details
All services will be held at the Hinton Friendship Centre.
The Wake Service, July 3rd
• Doors Open: 12:00 PM
• Casket Arrival: 1:00 PM
• The Wake will commence throughout the day and night.
The Funeral Service, July 4th
• Date: July 4, 2026
• Time: 1:00 PM

06/23/2026

Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) is seeking a qualified Bookkeeper. The candidate will work closely with the CFO to maintain financial accountability requirements of ANFCA.

CANDIDATE PROFILE:
The successful candidate will have the following:
✅Post-secondary degree, diploma, or certificate in Accounting, Finance, or Business Management.
✅Demonstrated current experience in accounting (a minimum of five years); and experience that relates to the duties and responsibilities specified.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Accounting:
☑Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, General Ledger, and reconciliations, assist with budget tracking, ratio analysis, and audit preparation.
☑Support compliance and regulatory requirements.
☑Maintain internal controls.

Reporting:
☑Prepare monthly and quarterly financial reports. o Assist and communicate with Friendship Centres for reporting and budgeting.
☑Keep track of reporting timelines.

Contract Documents:
☑Assist in creation of contract documents pertinent to funding (i.e. contribution agreements, payment letters, updated cashflow templates, etc.).
☑Develop and maintain efficient and effective recordkeeping systems and procedures.

See more at: https://anfca.com/join-our-circle/careers/

06/23/2026

Are you passionate about youth engagement? Do you want to make a meaningful difference in youth opportunities to develop leadership skills and become engaged within their communities?

The Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) is seeking a committed and enthusiastic Engagement Coordinator. The qualified candidate will engage urban Indigenous youth to become young leaders, through a variety of mediums, to advance the meaningful outcomes and engagement related to reconciliation through the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Your efforts will play a key role in supporting urban Indigenous youth with opportunities and development for community engagement, leadership skills, and volunteerism.

See more at: https://anfca.com/join-our-circle/careers/

06/21/2026

“In every leaf, a story; in every stream, a memory of our ancestors.”

As the sun reaches its highest point in the sky for the summer solstice on June 21st, we gather our hearts to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Today, the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) honors the beautiful traditions, vibrant cultures, and countless contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. We walk forward carrying the rich histories and languages passed down to us through generations, rooted deeply in the land we all share.

This day is a celebration of our community, but it is also a powerful reminder of our enduring strength, resilience, and spirit. It is an invitation for all people to sit with us, listen, and deepen their commitment to true learning, understanding, and reconciliation.

Let’s honor the past, celebrate the present, and build a brighter future together.