GPFC Pikiskwetan

06/09/2026

06/05/2026

Day of Friendship Update:

Day of Friendship Update

Due to the rainy weather, the hand painting of the sidewalk has been rescheduled to Monday, June 8 at 9:30 AM.

Join us TODAY at the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre for activities and lunch as we celebrate Day of Friendship together, starting at 11:00 am.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing everyone for a day of connection, community, and friendship.

05/24/2026

Quick reminder that our Lunch & Learn for tomorrow, Monday May 25th, is CANCELLED!
We will resume these sessions on Monday June 29th. Apologies for the inconvenience!!

05/21/2026

Mark your calendars!! 🧡🧡

🌟 Join Us for Day of Friendship – June 5th 🌟

Please join the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre as we celebrate Day of Friendship on June 5th!

We will begin the day at 9:00 AM with the hand painting of the sidewalk near our crosswalk at the Downtown Aboriginal Head Start location. This meaningful project recognizes Every Child Matters and creates a visible symbol of care, community, and support for the little ones who cross there every day. A special thank you to the City of Grande Prairie for helping make this project possible!

Following the hand painting, we will gather at the Traditional Healing Garden at the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre for activities and lunch.

The Day of Friendship embodies the spirit of connection and collaboration that unites communities and fuels the Friendship Centre Movement. This special day honours the vibrant programs, cultural richness, and unwavering support Friendship Centres provide to urban Indigenous peoples. Together, we celebrate the power of friendship to inspire hope and create meaningful change.

We hope you can join us as we celebrate friendship, community, and connection.

05/18/2026

🧡 A Heartfelt Message to My Pikiskwetan Family 🧡

To all of my beautiful program participants, and community members, I am writing this today with a heart full of mixed emotions, but above all, a profound sense of gratitude.

On Friday May 29th, I will be transitioning away from my role with the Pikiskwetan Program at the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre. My family and I will be relocating to Chilliwack, British Columbia.

Please know that I am still fully here and available to support you until May 29th. We still have time together, and my door is open for the next couple of weeks if you want to connect, chat, or just say hello.

Walking alongside each and every one of you on your journeys of healing, recovery, and wellness has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Whether we sat together in our regular circles, connected through the powerful medicine of culture at our recent Hoop Dancing event, or stood side-by-side during the MMIR walk, your courage, vulnerability, and resilience have deeply inspired me.

Please know that the vital work of the Pikiskwetan Program will absolutely continue. The Friendship Centre is actively working on the hiring process, and a new coordinator will be stepping into this space to continue guiding the program forward. In the meantime, our incredible team at the Centre is here to ensure you remain fully supported without a gap.

Thank you for trusting me, for sharing your stories, and for being such an integral part of my own journey. You have shown me what true community strength looks like, and I carry a piece of that strength with me as I move into my next chapter.

Keep choosing the Red Road, keep taking care of one another, and never forget how far you have come. 🪶

With all my warmth and deepest gratitude,

Shelby Fitzpatrick, CP-AMH, MCTAA

"Healing does not mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives."

Thank you for letting me walk a part of this path with you. 🧡👇 Please feel free to drop a comment or a favorite memory below—I would love to read them!

05/07/2026

🏔️ Mental Health Week Day 4: Sharing is Caring
​Happy Thursday, Grande Prairie! ☀️

​We are officially in the home stretch of National Mental Health Week, and today’s focus for our "Come Together, Canada" theme is one of the most powerful tools we have: Sharing Resources. 🧡

​Often, the hardest part of a mental health or recovery journey is simply not knowing where to turn when things feel heavy. By sharing the tools, organizations, and resources that have helped us, we create a roadmap for others to find their way. When we share, we reduce the "noise" of isolation and replace it with a community of support.

​✨ Today’s "Share the Light" Challenge:

​I challenge you to share one mental health resource on your own page or in the comments below.

It could be:

​A local organization: Like the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre or the Resource Centre for Su***de Prevention.
​A crisis line: Remind someone that 9-8-8 is available 24/7 across Canada.

​A coping tool: A favorite breathing exercise, a grounding technique, or a podcast that has helped you stay on the Red Road.

​A helpful app: Like HealthyMinds or Insight Timer.

​Counselor’s Corner:

Don't forget that if you are looking for a community-based approach to wellness, our Addiction & Mental Health Program and our Pathways To Recovery group are always here for you. Sometimes the best resource is simply a safe place to land.

​What is one resource that has made a difference in your life? Let’s fill the comments with "toolkits" for our neighbors! 👇

​

​💡 Thinking Ahead:

​Tomorrow is Friday, and our final focus for Mental Health Week will be about Gratitude and Recognition in the workplace and our community.
​How has your Mental Health Week been so far? Have you felt that sense of "coming together" in GP?

05/05/2026

🏔️ Mental Health Week Day 2: Connection is Medicine
​Happy Tuesday, Grande Prairie! ☀️

​As we move into Day 2 of National Mental Health Week, we’re leaning into this year’s theme: "Come Together, Canada." 🧡

​One of the biggest hurdles in both mental health and recovery is the feeling of being "apart" from the rest of the world. But here is the truth: Social connection is a biological necessity. When we connect with others, our brains actually release chemicals that help lower stress and improve our mood. In our community, we don't just "get through" things—we get through them together.

​✨ Today’s Connection Challenge:

​Today isn’t about big gestures; it’s about "Small Acts of Connection."

* The "Two-Minute" Rule: Text a friend or family member just to say "I was thinking of you."

​The "Coffee Connection": If you’re grabbing a coffee today, offer a genuine "How’s your morning going?" to the person behind the counter.

​The "Digital Detox": Try putting the phone away for 30 minutes tonight to have an uninterrupted conversation with someone in your home.

​How are you connecting today? Whether it’s a quick phone call or a walk in the park with a neighbor, share your "connection win" below! 👇

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05/04/2026

Join us tomorrow!!

Reminder to join us tomorrow for the Annual MMIR 5KM Walk/Run:

May 5
Registration: 4:00 PM
Start Time: 5:00 PM

Unique medals are available for $15 each.

Every step taken is in remembrance of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people. Together, we walk in solidarity, love, and strength.

05/04/2026

Come on down to Muskoseepi Park Pavilion for some BBQ and help us kick off National Mental Health Week!

This is hosted by Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta Northwest!