Alberta based Indigenous Cultural Centers, Programs, & Partnership Opportunities for SPOS

This directory highlights Indigenous-led organizations, cultural centers and community initiatives across Alberta including in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, and province-wide that offer cultural programming, community services, youth support, and opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration. 

Newcomer-serving agencies can use this list to: 

• Build meaningful relationships with Indigenous partners
• Co-create programs that respect and reflect Indigenous knowledge
• Support cultural learning within their staff and communities
• Advance reconciliation through intentional partnerships and mutual understanding 

These organizations and cultural sites are ideal contacts for collaboration, community referrals, cultural orientation, staff training, speaker opportunities, and relationship-building with Indigenous communities across Alberta. 

Calgary

Cultural Events & Exhibitions

• The Confluence – Kīpaitapiiyssinnoonī
  A gathering place and resource center focused on Indigenous knowledge, resilience, and community building in Calgary, offers workshops, cultural events, and shared space for learning and connection.
• Fort Calgary – Indigenous Exhibits
  Permanent exhibitions on Treaty 7, pre-colonial history, and Indigenous perspectives of the land.
• Glenbow Museum
  Major museum with extensive Indigenous art, cultural anthropology collections, and Treaty 7 programming.
• Moonstone Creation Native Art Gallery
  Indigenous family-owned gallery offering authentic art, beadwork, classes, and cultural demonstrations.
• Calgary Public Library – Indigenous Services
  Offers Elder-in Residence programs, Indigenous language resources, storytelling circles, and cultural events.

Indigenous Organizations & Programs 

• Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary
  Urban Indigenous support centre offering social, cultural, educational and employment services.
• Mahegun Tails Inc.
  Offers cultural education and capacity-building projects led by respected Indigenous Elders and traditions.
• Miskanawah
  Indigenous-led multi-service agency providing family support, youth programming, and cultural services.
• Trellis Society
  Offers an Indigenous Initiatives program focused on cultural connection, healing, and reconciliation in youth and family services.
• Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) – Land of Dreams
  An urban-farming initiative that brings together Indigenous community members and newcomers to grow food and foster cross-cultural healing and belonging.
• Indigenous Gathering Place Society of Calgary
  A gathering space for Indigenous peoples and allies to connect, heal, and celebrate culture.
• Centre for Newcomers – Indigenous Education for Newcomers Program
  Calgary‑based newcomer‑serving organization offering the Indigenous Education for Newcomers (IEFN) program featuring dialogue circles, storytelling and cultural learning to build bridges between Indigenous and newcomer communities.
• Loretta’s Wellness Circle
  Provides Indigenous-led wellness experiences, gifts, and workshops in Calgary.

Edmonton 

Cultural Events & Exhibitions 

• Royal Alberta Museum – Human History / Indigenous Galleries
  Large, co-curated Indigenous history exhibits featuring artifacts, stories, and contemporary perspectives.
• Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
  Indigenous-led organization providing cultural ceremonies, housing support, employment programs, youth initiatives, and family services. 

Indigenous Organizations & Programs 

• AKSIS – Indigenous Business & Professional Association
  Supports Edmonton’s Indigenous business and professional community through networking, mentorship, and capacity-building.
• Edmonton 2 Spirit Society (E2S)
  Serves Two-Spirit, Indigenous LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse peoples with cultural, social, and advocacy services.
• Red Road Healing Society
  Provides holistic wellness and culturally grounded programming for Indigenous children, youth, adults, and families.
• Ben Calf Robe Society
  Offers culturally based programs and services supporting Indigenous children, youth, and families.
• Indigenous Knowledge & Wisdom Centre (IKWC)
  Provides culturally grounded education, language, and leadership programs for Indigenous students and communities.
• Supporting Indigenous Sharing Network (SISN)
  Builds collaboration among Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners to address urban Indigenous needs across Alberta. 

Red Deer  

Cultural Events & Exhibitions 

• Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery (MAG)
  Features Indigenous art, Plains Cree and Blackfoot history collections, and rotating exhibitions.
• Powwow! Ohcîwin – The Origins Exhibit
  A collaborative exhibit exploring the origins and meanings of powwow dances and regalia.
• Maskwacis Cultural College & Museum
  Cree-led cultural institution offering language programs, historical archives, and community cultural events.
• Reynolds-Alberta Museum (Wetaskiwin)
  Includes exhibits exploring Métis and First Nations transportation, land use, and heritage stories.

Indigenous Organizations & Programs 

• Red Deer Native Friendship Society
  A charitable Indigenous agency offering culturally‑based services in health, housing, education and community supports in Red Deer.
• Red Deer Indigenous Dance Troupe Society
  A not‑for‑profit that uses dance, ceremony, and Indigenous cultural arts to promote cultural understanding through events, workshops and performances.
• Urban Indigenous Voices Society (UIVS)
  Works in Red Deer region to improve quality of life for Indigenous peoples through youth programming, elders’ councils and community‑based initiatives.
• Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership (RD LIP)
  While broader in scope, this partnership includes Indigenous‑focused planning and programs in Central Alberta and acknowledges Indigenous lands and experiences.
• Ahsokewin / Rocky Native Friendship Centre (Rocky Mountain House region)
  A regional Friendship Centre development focused on Indigenous cultural, social and literacy supports in Central Alberta. 

Province-Wide Indigenous Organizations 

Cultural Events & Exhibitions 

• Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA)
  Supports urban Indigenous communities across Alberta through Friendship Centres offering cultural programming, Elders’ supports, youth programs, and community services.
• Indigenous Heritage – Government of Alberta
  Information on historic Indigenous sites, traditional land use, and cultural preservation resources.
• Indigenous Cultural Tourism – Travel Alberta
  Directory of Indigenous-led cultural experiences, tours, art, historical sites, and learning opportunities across Alberta.
• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre
  UNESCO World Heritage Site interpreting Blackfoot history, buffalo culture, archaeology, and land-based teachings.
• Métis Crossing
  Alberta’s premier Métis cultural interpretive centre offering exhibits, land-based learning, workshops, and seasonal experiences.

Indigenous Organizations & Programs 

• Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
  Represents 50 First Nations in Treaty 6 territory, advocating for political, social, and cultural interests. 
• Treaty 7 Management Corporation
  Coordinates governance, education, and economic development initiatives for Treaty 7 Nations.
• Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta
  Supports Treaty 8 First Nations in preserving rights and improving well-being across northern Alberta.
• Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA)
  Supports Friendship Centres across Alberta to provide community-based Indigenous programming.
• Alberta First Nations Information Governance Centre (AFNIGC)
  Works with First Nations to manage and govern data in ways that reflect Indigenous values and sovereignty.
• Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA)
  Represents Métis citizens across Alberta, offering services in health, education, housing, and culture.
• Indigenous Knowledge & Wisdom Centre (IKWC)
  Delivers culturally grounded education and resources for Indigenous students and schools.
• Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA)
  Offers justice-related and social services to Indigenous peoples using Indigenous philosophies.
• Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW)
  Advocates for Indigenous women and provides leadership, wellness, and capacity-building programs.
• Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta
  Supports Indigenous youth and communities through sport, recreation, and leadership development.
• Indspire
  Invests in the education of Indigenous students through scholarships and community support programs.
• Sundance Indigenous Cultural Institute
  Provides youth-focused cultural education, language learning, and ceremonial training.