Indigenous Friends

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Indigenous Friends

Igniting the Spirit of Indigenous communities to engage and reclaim digital technology.

06/19/2026

This month is also a time to reflect on the history and ongoing impacts of colonization in Canada, and most importantly, the importance of continuing to create spaces where Indigenous communities can grow, learn, create, and thrive.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action remind us of the importance of improving access to education, opportunity, and community support.

At Indigenous Friends Association, our work exists with that mindset and is at the forefront of our organization.
Our work is about more than building digital skills;
It’s about access.
It’s about community.
It’s about creating space for Indigenous voices, creativity, self-determination, and culture to continue growing into the future.

Our programs remain free and accessible because of community support. Thank you to everyone who has supported us until now!

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/147167

06/16/2026

What happens after our programs?

Those who take part in our programs leave with skills ranging from digital literacy, coding, web design, and digital art, but they also leave with something more.

They leave with confidence, a supportive community, a deeper connection to culture, and new paths filled with opportunity.

For some, that journey continues through paid internships where they gain hands-on experience in areas like web development, design, and digital art while continuing to grow their skills in supportive environments.

For others, they carry what they have learned back into their communities, use it to grow a business, explore creative passions, or build new opportunities for themselves and those around them.

We invite you to explore some of the positive success stories shared by members of our community here: https://www.indigenousfriends.org/successstories

We also encourage anyone who has taken part in our programs to share their own story and growth with us in the comments, whether through art, business, community work, or something entirely their own ❤

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to become part of our community!

06/11/2026

Virtual Info Sessions are open for the next IndigiTECH Mentorship Program Cohort!

Have questions about the program or want to learn more? Join one of our virtual info sessions happening every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to connect with our team, get your questions answered, and learn more about this 28-week mentorship and technical training program.

Start your journey with IndigiTECH and sign up for an info session today, visit the link in our bio or by copying the link below to register.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/indigitech-cohort-9-information-session-program-start-july-27-2026-tickets-1988855928621?aff=oddtdtcreator

06/09/2026

“Art is a way to express our sovereignty, our resilience, and our humanity.”
— Kent Monkman

Art has always been a form of storytelling within Indigenous communities. Through carving, beadwork, painting, regalia; design, stories, teachings, and lived experiences have been carried forward across generations.

Our resident artist Tsista is no exception.

As an Anishinaabe and Onyota'a woodland-style artist from Beausoleil First Nation and Oneida Nation of the Thames, Tsista has been creating art since childhood. Today, as an artist, mentor, and educator with Indigenous Friends Association, he draws inspiration from personal experiences, community, humour, and culture, using digital art to tell stories and share new perspectives.

Through digital art, Tsista continues that tradition of storytelling in new spaces, carrying culture and creativity into the digital world in his own way.

If you would like to read more about Tsista’s journey and how he became part of our team, sign up for our newsletter here: https://indigenousfriends.typeform.com/to/mif16oc3

We’ll be sharing his full story on June 21st!

If you would like to support more Indigenous artists exploring digital spaces through our programs, you can donate here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/147167

06/05/2026

The history of Indigenous Friends Association is deeply rooted in culture and community.

Founded by Alejandro Mayoral-Banos in 2015, IFA was originally created from the need for Indigenous youth in urban and post-secondary spaces to have access to safer digital spaces and stronger connections with fellow peers.

Alongside that need was something equally important: creating spaces where people could reconnect and rekindle their relationship with traditional Indigenous values, culture, and community.

From there, we grew. We evolved. We expanded.

Today, we offer programs centered around education in digital art, coding, and technology, while continuing to weave culture, community, and safe learning spaces throughout everything we do. Indigenous community members across Canada are welcome to join our programs free from the comfort of their home.
What does support through our programs look like?
It looks like:

• A welcoming place to learn new skills that meets people where they are at.
• Free access to the tools and technology needed to learn.
• Time with Indigenous mentors who share their stories, knowledge, and lived experiences.
• Support that makes participation easier, including childcare and nutrition.
It is about creating spaces where people can focus on learning, creating, and growing without added barriers.

If you would like to support the work we do, you can donate here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/147167

06/02/2026

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈

As we celebrate National Indigenous History Month, we also want to take the time to celebrate the Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, and LGBTQIA2S+ communities who continue to bring strength, love, creativity, and joy into the world, and with whom we are grateful to share this month.

To our Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, and LGBTQIA2S+ relatives, friends, allies, and community members: we celebrate you, we stand with you, and we are grateful to share this month with you!

06/01/2026

Today marks the beginning of National Indigenous History Month, a time to honour the rich and diverse histories, cultures, and strength of Indigenous communities.

At Indigenous Friends Association, this month holds deep meaning for us. While our programs provide free education in digital art, coding, and web design, we were also founded with the intention of creating safe digital spaces where Indigenous people can connect, grow, and rekindle their relationship with culture, community, and traditional values.

For generations, Indigenous knowledge has been carried forward through storytelling, land-based teachings, craftsmanship, and art. These ways of knowing and connecting have always evolved while remaining deeply rooted in community and culture.

Today, we continue that path in new spaces. Through digital art, coding, and technology, we aim to weave traditional ways of knowing into the digital world while helping create more space for Indigenous voices and representation in tech.
This month, we invite you to join us. Learn alongside us, connect with our community, or share your own stories if you feel called to.

Keep an eye out for our posts throughout the month as we celebrate Indigenous history, creativity, knowledge, and community together.

If this feels meaningful to you, you are welcome to support our work here:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/147167

05/21/2026

Join us for the next iteration of IndigiTAL: Connecting Through Art!

This fully virtual program is open to folks ages 16+ who are interested in building foundational digital art techniques and creative skills. Participants will explore essential computer basics while connecting and engaging with Indigenous artists and creative professionals throughout the program.

The next iteration runs from Monday, June 1 to Wednesday, July 6.

Visit: https://indigenousfriends.typeform.com/to/rm4zUIjz to learn more and apply!

05/13/2026

The next iteration of IndigiTAL: Connecting Through Art starts from Monday, June 1 to Wednesday, July 6!

This free online program invites Indigenous learners across Canada to explore digital art creation, build digital skills, develop their portfolios, and connect with Indigenous artists in a supportive creative community. Sessions run Mondays to Wednesdays, 4:30–7:30 PM ET. Link in bio or below to register!

https://indigenousfriends.typeform.com/to/rm4zUIjz

05/11/2026

Virtual information sessions are now open for our next IndigiTECH Mentorship Program, starting July 27, 2026! Sign up for one of our upcoming sessions to learn more about the program and ask questions.

This guided, virtual, community-centred program is designed to advance digital and professional skills while bringing together emerging FNMI learners and professionals in a structured, culturally grounded 28-week mentorship and technical training program..

Seats are limited, register to learn more through the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/indigitech-cohort-9-information-session-program-start-july-27-2026-tickets-1988855928621?aff=oddtdtcreator

Address

20 Bay Street, 11th Floor
Toronto, ON
M5J2N8

Telephone

+18002306423

Website

https://linktr.ee/indigenousfriends

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