The Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC) is a community full of love, caring, and support. In this and future articles, we will inform readers of the non-profit organizations operating in the EIC facility in order to bring light to their many good deeds.

On December 21st, 2024, the Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC) will mark a milestone: its 10th anniversary. Located in the heart of the McCauley Community, this vibrant space has become more than just an “old red brick school” - it’s a lively hub where cultures meet, mingle, and sometimes even debate whose food is the best!

Opened in May 2015, EIC transformed the old McCauley School building into a beacon of diversity and inclusion. This historic space now houses 15 non-profit organizations dedicated to fostering intercultural understanding. Founding members like Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative (MCHB), Creating Hope Society (CHS), and Edmonton Multicultural Coalition (EMC) paved the way, with the centre later welcoming organizations such as the Filipino-Canadian Saranay Association of Alberta and Ribbon Rouge Foundation, among others.

EIC’s mission is to cultivate a dynamic model of intercultural engagement and build an inclusive Edmonton. It acts as a social hub where diverse groups come together to share knowledge, support each other’s growth, and occasionally swap recipes and dance moves in the hallways.

Situated on Treaty 6 Territory, the Edmonton Intercultural Centre honours the historical significance of the land to the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux nations. Our work aligns with Edmonton’s broader goals of inclusion and multiculturalism, enhancing the city’s rich, diverse community fabric.

Over the first decade, EIC has welcomed over 850,000 visitors and has supported more than 505 user groups and their various community programs. EIC’s facilities, including a gymnasium, kitchen, computer room, library, and various meeting spaces are bustling with community events, meetings, and the aroma and debate over who makes the best adobo.

In 2023, EIC upgraded the security infrastructure with grants from both Public Safety Canada’s National Crime Prevention Strategy and the Provincial Government. This enhancement has bolstered safety while keeping the centre’s welcoming atmosphere intact.

We invite you to join us in celebrating the Edmonton Intercultural Centre’s 10th anniversary on December 21st, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. During this time there will be many drop-in activities for all at 9538 107th Avenue, including a global array of foods, activities, live entertainment, a cultural marketplace, and a chance to connect with our diverse community. 

Come for the celebrations, stay for the laughter, go away with knowledge and understanding. Come experience a decade of intercultural engagement. We look forward to celebrating with you! Please bring a non-perishable or canned food item to help us in achieving our goal of distributing 110 hampers to those in need.

The day’s celebration will conclude with an invitation-only evening gala, with a vast array of guests dressed in traditional attire, festive performances, and presentations.

Information provided by the Edmonton Intercultural Centre, which is located at 9538 107th Avenue.