September 19, 2025 - Calgary, Treaty 7 Territory, Alberta - Indigenous Services Canada

Today, the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY) celebrates the grand opening of its new facility for Indigenous youth in Calgary, a permanent space that will support Indigenous youth and help strengthen their connection to culture and wellness, leading to improved outcomes now and for future generations.

For this crucial project, USAY received $3,920,000 from Indigenous Services Canada to build a safe, healthy, accessible and energy-efficient space that will expand culturally appropriate programs and services for more than 4000 Indigenous youth in Calgary.

Calgary's first centre for Indigenous youth, the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY), was created in 2001 with support from a variety of funders. This new facility opening today will allow USAY to deliver Indigenous youth-led programs that meet Indigenous youth where they are while encouraging a positive identity and sense of self, helping them achieve success on their terms.

This investment reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to working closely with Indigenous peoples to address the infrastructure gap and advance Indigenous prosperity. Canada and community organizations like USAY help to deliver culturally appropriate services based on expressed community needs.

Guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, funding initiatives like this helps address the underlying determinants of health and advance self-determination and reconciliation.