The Women of Nistawoyou

The Women of Nistawoyou

NAFC launches The Women of Nistawoyou virtual exhibit with Digital Museums Canada.

Fort McMurray, AB – The Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre (NAFC) is proud to announce the launch of The Women of Nistawoyou – a project funded by Digital Museums Canada (DMC).

The Women of the Nistawoyou virtual exhibit explores the life stories of ten exceptional matriarchs who maintained the livelihoods of their communities by preserving and teaching Indigenous traditions within the traditional land of Dene, Cree and Metis people in the Borealis forest.

The regional matriarchs include Nancy Woodward, Bertha Clark-Jones, Kay Waniandy Loutitt, Dorothy McDonald, Katy Sanderson, Elsie Cardinal, Lina Gallup, Elsie Yanik, Jenny Flett and Mary Rose Pudre.

“We are proud to have the stories of our Indigenous women leaders stories shared on the Digital Museums Canada platform and encourage everyone to discover how the matriarchs of the past and present have helped shape our region and Centre into what it is today,” said Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre’s Executive Director Stacy Gillingham.

The extraordinary group of women were, and are, trappers, political leaders, social innovators, environmentalists, teachers, community developers, business owners, midwives, healers, and nurses whose daily lives cultivated expressions of their heritage and culture.

They touched lives in their communities in various ways and have preserved centuries of teachings and traditions with humility, truth, courage, honesty, wisdom, respect, and love are most exemplified.

The Women of Nistawoyou virtual exhibit is now available to view online in English and French.

For further inquiries:
Stacy Gillingham, Executive Director
Ph. 780-743-8555
Email. ed@nistawoyouafc.com

The First Annual Nistawoyou Membership Memorial

The First Annual Nistawoyou Membership Memorial

The Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre is hosting its first annual Nistawoyou Membership Memorial to honour the Nistawoyou Membership from founders to today who have passed away. Guests are asked to bring names and photos of their loved ones for the memorial album.
For further inquiries, please contact NAFC’s Elder Coordinator Ashley Russell at 780-792-4306 or email elders@nistawoyouafc.com
Youth Arts & Crafts Program

Youth Arts & Crafts Program

Join the Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre to participate in the Youth Arts & Crafts program. Every Wednesday, youth (ages 7 to 24) will have the opportunity to create various arts and crafts. This free program is held from 4 PM to 6 PM at the Canadian Mental Health Association Youth Hub. No registration is required.

Please Note: This program is held after-hours at the CMHA, so guests must ring the doorbell outside upon their arrival to come in. 

Youth Arts & Crafts Program

Youth Arts & Crafts Program

Join the Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre to participate in the Youth Arts & Crafts program. Every Wednesday, youth (ages 7 to 24) will have the opportunity to create various arts and crafts. This free program is held from 4 PM to 6 PM at the Canadian Mental Health Association Youth Hub. No registration is required.

Please Note: This program is held after-hours at the CMHA, so guests must ring the doorbell outside upon their arrival to come in. 

Youth Arts & Crafts Program

Youth Arts & Crafts Program

Join the Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre to participate in the Youth Arts & Crafts program. Every Wednesday, youth (ages 7 to 24) will have the opportunity to create various arts and crafts. This free program is held from 4 PM to 6 PM at the Canadian Mental Health Association Youth Hub. No registration is required.

Please Note: This program is held after-hours at the CMHA, so guests must ring the doorbell outside upon their arrival to come in. 

NAFC launches Tending Our Hearts Fire pilot project to support MMIWG2S+ initiatives

NAFC launches Tending Our Hearts Fire pilot project to support MMIWG2S+ initiatives

Fort McMurray, AB – The Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre (NAFC) is proud to announce the launch of Tending Our Hearts Fire – a pilot project funded by the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association to support Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirit+ peoples initiatives. The funding will be used to support Indigenous women & girls, as well as families that have missing or murdered loved ones, on their healing journeys.

“Women have always been the hearts of our communities,” said Jes Croucher of Pawâmiw Creative, advisor to the program. “The Cree word for fire is iskotew but what it actually translates to a woman’s heart. Our old people say that we all have a fire within us, and that it’s our responsibility to tend to that fire. That is what we aim to support with this program.”

Tending Our Hearts Fire will focus on building consistent and sustainable supports for families who have been impacted by Missing or Murdered family members, as well as prevention measures for Indigenous women and girls.

“We are grateful to be one of three Alberta friendship centers to receive funding to build a framework to address support gaps in the community,” said Stacy Gillingham, NAFC Executive Director. “There is an urgent need for Missing or Murdered-specific resources and we are thankful we can contribute to the community as it grows its support network.”

The program will host monthly support circles with international MMIP advocate Stephanie Harpe for families impacted by Missing or Murdered loved ones, as well as support and prevention workshops that will include safety and cultural identity. Culture will be the foundation of Tending Our Hearts Fire to ensure healing work is grounded in Indigenous ways of being.

The program aims to connect with key community organizations and grassroots advocates to build a resource network to support Indigenous women & girls and families impacted including search and rescue, court system navigation, prevention, mental health, and cultural supports. Information collected will be added to a resource database to be shared with organizations, families, and communities in times of need.

The NAFC calls upon the community to register their contact and resource information by emailing Georgina Sanderson at reception@nistawoyouafc.com or by calling 780-743-8555.