Bishop McGrattan's Breakfast with the Nation SOLD OUT

Saturday January 18, 2025 8:30am
St. Peter’s Parish 541 Silvergrove Dr. NW
Tickets $50.00 Each

Bishop McGrattan’s Message to the Faithful

1.Commit to ongoing dialogue with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit People

2.Using the model of integral human formation, to use the education system to help FNIM to experience the gospel as well as their rich cultural heritage.

3.Empowering Women including FNIM women in the church and in our community.

4.Call for greater leadership in the church from our FNIM communities.

5.Support clergy and lay people to learn about FNIM culture, history, language and traditions.

6.Include greater pastoral services for FNIM.

7.Increase efforts to promote the Church’s social teaching and to assist in the rebuilding of churches on reserve and in the North.

8.Take up Pope Francis’ call to be good stewards in the care for creation as FNIM people have done for so long.

Kirby Smith Endorsement

“As an Indigenous artist and community organizer I can say with confidence that my relationship with Franciscan and Friends has been filled with inspiration and fulfillment. I have seen Franciscan and Friends reach out in fellowship to so many communities and individuals over the last several years.
My personal relationship began with a talent show in Strathmore, Alberta. Since then, I have seen Franciscan and Friends host conferences to help other indigenous artists make important connections. I have seen them organize events and celebrations in the Indigenous communities in Southern Alberta. From painting statues in Piikani Nation to hosting recovery programs for the addicted, Franciscan and Friends have provided a wealth of resources and knowledge to assist in so many ways.” 

Kirby Smith, Blackfoot Confederacy, First Nations Advisor to Franciscan & Friends

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First Nations Arts Alliance

Franciscan and Friends has played an instrumental role in developing First Nations Arts Alliance , a new province-wide collaboration uniting and empowering Indigenous artists. This short video tells the story of the great friendship between Kirby Smith and Denis Grady that formed the basis for the Alliance and how that partnership helped save Smith’s life.

Franciscan and Friends Mission Statement

To bring hope to vulnerable and isolated people and inspire them to reach their fullest potential through a variety of creative programs. Our target population includes First Nations, the homeless, the addicted and the poor. Our medium is arts and culture.

Growth

Through friendships like the one between Denis and Kirby, Franciscan and Friends has joined forces with First Nations Bands in the region, including Tsuut’ina, Siksika, Piikani and Kainai Bands, as well as many youth, elders, and other Indigenous stakeholders. In the past five years, we have developed trusted working relationships with First Nations Bands, funders, Indigenous community groups, cultural organizations, community organizations, major donors and businesses. Out of this has come growth.
In 2018, growth was fueled by $175,000 from Alberta Community Social Services and $175,000 from private partners for the First Nations Music Project. It was followed by a $45,000 research phase funded entirely by private partners to help us listen and learn from our partners. Then we received $350,000 from the Civil Society Fund from the Government of Alberta for the Indigenous Community Circles project. The growth continues to this day. Franciscan and Friends now has 3 full-time staff, one part-time business manager and 75 active Indigenous and (non-Indigenous) volunteers.