Living UNDRIP: Advancing Social & Economic Development & Environment in Saskatchewan

At the Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan (AFCS), we know that reconciliation lives in ones actions. It’s found in the programs we build, the partnerships we nurture, and the futures we help shape. Reconciliation is more than words, it’s about changing systems and supporting people on the ground.

This year, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is centering six interconnected themes: education, culture, economic and social development, environment, human rights, and health. Each one reflects a key area where Indigenous rights and realities must be upheld and where real, lasting change is possible.

Today, we’re highlighting how the Saskatchewan Friendship Centre Movement drives economic and social development while supporting communities through environmental challenges and infrastructure gains.

Economic and Social Development: Community-Led Growth

Friendship Centres are more than just service providers, they’re hubs for connection, growth, and opportunity. Whether through cultural programming, community meals, or employment support, each Centre plays a crucial role in helping urban Indigenous people thrive.

In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the Saskatchewan Friendship Centre Movement delivered over 600,000 points of service. This reflects the deep trust our communities place in our Centres and the essential support they provide in people’s daily lives.

As the Movement grows, so does the need for diversified funding. AFCS has worked with a local consultant to assess the feasibility of five business plans developed by AFCS and select Friendship Centres: La Loche, Prince Albert, Qu’Appelle Valley, Newo-Yôtina, and Île-à-la-Crosse. This supports Centres ability to secure sustainable funding and ensure continued, impactful growth.

The Battleford Indian and Métis Friendship Centre made a significant contribution to early childhood education in the Battleford’s area with the opening of Debbie’s Early Learning Child Care Centre in 2022. Licensed for 46 spaces, the Centre is staffed by certified Early Childhood Educators and offers a multi-cultural approach, including Elders, storytellers, and cultural educators sharing traditions and land-based teachings.

Meanwhile, the Northwest Friendship Centre in Meadow Lake operates an Emergency Receiving Home, providing a safe, supportive environment for children in temporary care. This service keeps children in their community, reducing the challenges of travel for family visits and reunifications. The home can support up to 31 children and is staffed 24/7, ensuring each child feels secure and supported.

Environment: Infrastructure & Emergency Response

Indigenous Peoples have always held deep knowledge of the land, and our Centres honour this through programming that reconnects communities with the environment. From land-based camps to traditional harvesting practices, these experiences help restore relationships to the land in ways that are culturally grounded and community-led.

This strong connection to the land also shapes how our Friendship Centres respond to environmental challenges. As wildfire seasons continue to grow longer and more intense in Saskatchewan, our Centres have become vital supports during these emergencies. From coordinating resources to sheltering evacuees and keeping communities connected, we are there in times of need. This year, AFCS equipped every Centre with air scrubbers to ensure safe, breathable indoor air during smoke-heavy days. These kinds of investments help ensure our Centres remain safe, welcoming spaces where people can gather, seek refuge, and access support when they need it most.

That same commitment drives our infrastructure investments. Friendship Centres have received over $4.1 million in infrastructure revenue, leveraged from an initial $476,000 investment, to upgrade facilities across the province. Major projects in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and Île à la Crosse have transformed these Centres into even stronger anchors of community care.

The Île-à-la-Crosse Friendship Centre now stands as the largest in Saskatchewan, having been completely built brand new from the ground up. More than just a building, it represents a long-term investment in Indigenous wellness, belonging, and future generations.

We invite you to join us in celebrating this momentous occasion on May 15th/2025 in Île-à-la-Crosse, SK. Come and be part of the next step in their journey toward growth for their community!