Calgary’s first-of-its-kind Indigenous warming centre now open

Calgary’s first Indigenous warming centre opened Monday, offering refuge for the unhoused during cold spells and extreme weather.

The warming centre is a partnership between the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary, the Calgary Homeless Foundation, and the City of Calgary.

The centre is a place for people to warm up during a cold snap, but it also provides a spiritual space for the city’s Indigenous community. While the focus is on culturally appropriate services for Indigenous people, everyone is welcome.

“Just a space to hang out if they need to get some rest if they need a snack. Maybe they want a smudge, connect with an elder, maybe they connect with some other resources,” said Nicole Wolfleg, a community coordinator with the Indigenous warming centre.

Staff at the warming and connection centre are working to get the word out that the centre is available and in the first week of being open, they are already seeing a positive effect.

“He was super nervous, and he had his head down. He wasn’t looking at us or anything. But we told him we explained what we were doing here and offered him a place to rest, he said he hadn’t slept in five days,” said support worker Rebecca Rathgeber, speaking about a recent visitor.

“So he slept all day. When he got up and ready to leave, he had his head held high, and he said thank you … he was super grateful. We gave him some snacks, and he was on his way.”

The goal for the pilot project is to help about 10-15 people per day, and the hope is that it becomes a success that could turn into a cooling centre in the warmer months.

It’s open 7 days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“This is great because it’s also a step in the right direction towards the reconciliation with Indigenous people as well, just being more culturally aware and involved I think it would be super beneficial for Indigenous communities,” Rathgeber said.

“There is no such thing as too much compassion or empathy like I believe it’s needed, especially with the vulnerable population.”

The warming centre is located on 16 Avenue in the northwest community of Montgomery.