About SALDAC
A home for Sierra Leoneans and their descendants in Calgary
Nonprofit and nonpartisan since 2015. We celebrate Sierra Leonean heritage and help our community take a full part in Canadian life.
Who we are
A bridge between two homes
The Sierra Leone Descendants Association in Calgary (SALDAC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for Sierra Leonean immigrants and their descendants. It was founded by community members who understand the challenges of resettlement, and it serves as a bridge between cultures: helping people settle into Canadian society while preserving and celebrating their Sierra Leonean heritage.
We believe in democratic citizenship, self-governance and community-led change. Through education, cultural programming and civic engagement, we support Sierra Leoneans in becoming active, informed and proud contributors to their local and national communities.
Our mission
To empower Sierra Leonean immigrants in Canada by promoting democratic participation, self-organization, and cultural preservation, supporting their integration into Canadian society while strengthening their ethnic identity.
Our vision
A thriving Sierra Leonean community in Canada that is civically engaged, culturally empowered, and united in purpose, where every individual contributes meaningfully to society while honoring their heritage.
A welcome from our President
Welcome to SALDAC
Since 2015, the Sierra Leone Descendants Association in Calgary has brought together Sierra Leoneans who have made this city home, and the children and grandchildren growing up here.
Many of us know what it is to arrive in a new country, learn new systems and start again. We also know what it takes to keep Salone alive in our homes: the language, the music, and the way we look after one another. SALDAC exists so that no one has to do either alone.
We are nonprofit and nonpartisan. We celebrate our heritage, we support newcomers, and we encourage every member to take an active part in Canadian life, because being proud of where we come from and engaged where we live go together.
Whether you are newly arrived, born here, or a friend of Sierra Leone, you are welcome. Come to a picnic, bring your family to the Independence Celebration, and become a member.
Abdullah Kamara
President, Sierra Leone Descendants Association in Calgary
Why "Descendants"
For the ones who came, and the ones born here
Our name says descendants on purpose. SALDAC is for Sierra Leoneans who made Calgary home, and for their children and grandchildren born or raised here: people who may never have lived in Salone but carry it in their families. Newcomers bring the culture with them; the next generation carries it forward. Both belong here.
What we do
Our work
- Support newcomers with settlement and adaptation
- Promote civic education and leadership
- Celebrate Sierra Leonean culture through events and storytelling
- Empower youth through mentorship and academic support
- Foster community wellness and solidarity
Why it matters
Identity and citizenship go together
Immigration is more than relocation: it's transformation. SALDAC exists to ensure that Sierra Leonean immigrants are not only welcomed, but equipped to thrive. We believe that cultural identity and civic engagement are not opposing forces, but complementary strengths that build resilient, inclusive communities.
Our nonpartisan pledge
SALDAC does not endorse political parties or candidates, in Canada or in Sierra Leone. We encourage every member to vote and to take part in Canadian civic life, and we welcome members of every political view.
Our core values
Seven values that guide us
- 1
Community Empowerment
We believe in the strength of collective action. By fostering self-organization and civic engagement, we empower Sierra Leonean immigrants to shape their own futures and contribute meaningfully to Canadian society.
- 2
Cultural Pride & Preservation
We honor and celebrate Sierra Leonean heritage, ensuring that cultural identity is not only preserved but passed on with pride to future generations.
- 3
Inclusion & Belonging
SALDAC is a welcoming space for all. We embrace diversity within our community and promote a sense of belonging, where every voice is heard and valued.
- 4
Independence & Nonpartisanship
We operate with integrity and impartiality, free from political or external influence, guided solely by the needs and aspirations of our community.
- 5
Leadership & Civic Responsibility
We cultivate leadership and encourage active citizenship, helping members become informed, engaged, and responsible participants in Canadian democracy.
- 6
Collaboration & Solidarity
We build bridges, within our community and beyond, through partnerships, shared goals, and mutual support.
- 7
Respect & Dignity
We treat every individual with respect, compassion, and dignity, recognizing the unique experiences, gifts and worth that each person brings to our community.
Our story so far
From 2015 to today
- 2015
SALDAC is founded
The association is founded on September 30, 2015.
- 2022
The SALDAC Calgary Facebook group opens
The group opens on July 23, 2022, and becomes the community's main noticeboard.
- 2022
Picnic in the Park
The earliest picnic in the Facebook group, on September 3, 2022.
- 2025
Youth & Young Adults Krio Book Reading
Young people read together in Krio on October 12, 2025.
- 2026
SALONE@65
SALDAC celebrates 65 years of Sierra Leone's independence on April 25, 2026.
- 2026
Picnic in the Park 2026
Dozens of members and families gather in green SALDAC T-shirts.
Meet the people who run SALDAC
SALDAC is led by an elected board of volunteers.