ABOUT US
Indigenous Friends Association (IFA) is an Indigenous-founded Canadian charity creating opportunities for Indigenous community members to learn, create, and build their futures through technology.
Through free online education, Indigenous mentorship, technology, and hands-on learning opportunities, we support participants across Canada as they build digital skills and explore pathways into further education, internships, careers, entrepreneurship, and creative work.
OUR MISSION
To cultivate opportunities that advance digital pathways rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being, driving positive change for generations.
OUR VISION
Indigenous Peoples leveraging technology to amplify their worldviews, advance tech equity, and strengthen digital sovereignty.
WHO WE ARE
We believe Indigenous Peoples should have the opportunity to shape, create, and lead within the digital world.
Our programs bring together technology and Indigenous ways of knowing and being, creating a supportive environment where participants can build practical skills, connect with Indigenous mentors, express their creativity, and explore where those skills can take them.
Today, our free online IndigiTAL and IndigiTECH programs connect Indigenous community members across Canada with technology, learning, mentorship, and opportunities to grow.
OUR IMPACT
Behind these numbers are participants learning new skills, creating projects, connecting with Indigenous mentors, continuing their education, taking part in internships, starting businesses, and exploring careers in technology and creative fields.
82.8%
Of Participants reported improvement of Tech skills by week 3
1000+
Indigenous community members have taken part of our programs
$40,000
Canadian tech workers earning an average of $40,000 more per year than workers in other fields.
Where We Are Now
Today, that original idea has grown into IndigiTAL and IndigiTECH, our free online programs connecting Indigenous community members across Canada with digital and creative technology education, Indigenous mentorship, and pathways into further education, internships, careers, and entrepreneurship.
The way we deliver our work has grown and changed, but our roots remain part of who we are: using technology to strengthen connection, learning, creativity, and opportunity for Indigenous Peoples.
From one idea in 2015 to more than 1,000 participants and counting, our community continues to grow.
OUR STORY
Indigenous Friends Association began in 2015 with a simple idea: how can technology be used to strengthen connection and better serve Indigenous communities?
That question was personal for our founder, Alejandro Mayoral Baños. As an Indigenous academic, activist, and technologist, Alejandro’s own experiences shaped how he thought about the relationship between Indigenous Peoples, community, knowledge, and technology.
While studying at York University, Alejandro connected with Indigenous students and saw a need for better ways to stay connected with community, resources, and one another. This led to the Indigenous Friends Platform, a mobile and web platform created to connect Indigenous students and community members with peers, Indigenous resources, Traditional Knowledge Keepers, and academic information.
As IFA grew, our work expanded beyond building technology to teaching it. We began developing digital literacy programming grounded in Indigenous values, creating new opportunities for Indigenous community members to build skills and explore the digital world.
Our work is guided by the Seven Sacred Teachings, which have been part of IFA’s organizational foundation and continue to shape how we learn, work, build relationships, and grow together.
Together, these teachings are reflected in how we approach our programs, relationships, and work with Indigenous community members, mentors, partners, supporters, and one another.
Respect
Respect reminds us to honour one another and the relationships we share. The Buffalo carries this teaching, giving of itself for the people and showing deep respect for others.
OUR VALUES
Bravery
Bravery is having the courage to protect what is sacred and stand up for what we believe in. The Bear carries this teaching, representing courage rather than aggression.
Humility
Humility reminds us that we are equal, while each bringing something unique. The Wolf carries this teaching, bowing its head to show respect and humility.
Truth
Truth brings the teachings together and reminds us to live and share truth with one another. The Turtle carries this teaching, connected to the story of the earth being carried on Grandmother Turtle’s back.
Love
Love reminds us to care for one another and share that care with our community. The Eagle carries this teaching, flying highest and serving as the Creator’s messenger.
Honesty
Honesty asks us to be true to ourselves and others and to act with integrity. The Moose carries this teaching, reminding us to live and work with honesty.
Wisdom
Wisdom is about using knowledge thoughtfully to build ourselves and our communities. The Beaver carries this teaching, using its knowledge and skills to thoughtfully build its surroundings.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
IFA is more than our programs. We are a growing community of participants, alumni, mentors, educators, partners, supporters, volunteers, and organizations who believe in creating more opportunities for Indigenous Peoples within technology.
Whether you want to take part in a program, share your knowledge, partner with us, volunteer, or support our work, there is a place for you in our community.
Learn. Create. Connect. Grow.
