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.
Welcome
A message from the President
Welcome to the Sierra Leone Descendants Association in Calgary (SALDAC).
It is with profound gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you to our community. Serving as President of SALDAC is both an honour and a privilege, because I have the opportunity to work alongside dedicated citizens who believe in the strength of community, the importance of our heritage, and the promise of our future.
As I assume the responsibility of leadership, I do so with sincere appreciation for the visionaries, leaders, elders, volunteers, and members who came before us. Their dedication, perseverance, and commitment created the foundation upon which SALDAC stands today. We owe them our gratitude, and we honour their legacy not simply by remembering what they accomplished, but by continuing their work and building something even stronger for the generations that follow.
Our strength lies in our togetherness. When people come together with a shared purpose, we create opportunities that no individual could create alone. Through SALDAC, we have a place to support one another, celebrate our accomplishments, preserve our traditions, assist those in need, empower our youth, and build meaningful relationships within our community and the wider Canadian society.
Perhaps our greatest responsibility is to the generation coming behind us. Our children and grandchildren are Canadians, and we are proud that they are growing up in a country that embraces diversity and multiculturalism. Yet being Canadian and preserving our Sierra Leonean heritage are not competing identities—they can complement and enrich one another. We want our young people to know where their families came from, to understand the sacrifices and achievements of those who came before them, and to carry forward the values, stories, traditions, and cultural pride that connect them to Sierra Leone.
SALDAC is therefore more than an association. It is a bridge between generations, a connection between heritage and home, and a place where our community can come together with pride and purpose.
As we look to the future, let us continue to build a community founded on unity, respect, service, inclusion, and mutual support. Let us welcome every generation, encourage our young people to participate and lead, and work together to ensure that the Sierra Leonean heritage we cherish remains alive and meaningful in Calgary for generations to come.
To our members, families, supporters, community partners, and friends: thank you for believing in the importance of community. Your participation and commitment are what make SALDAC strong.
May we continue to honour our past, serve our present, and inspire our future.
Welcome to SALDAC. Welcome home.
Abdullah KamaraAbdullah Kamara
President
Sierra Leone Descendants Association in Calgary (SALDAC)
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.
Community partners
Working with the Calgary African Community Collective
In cooperation with the Calgary African Community Collective (CACC), SALDAC receives donated goods and shares them with members. CACC has recognised the partnership with a certificate of collaboration.
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
Picnic in the Park
The earliest picnic in the Facebook group, on September 3, 2022.
- 2025
Picnic in the Park 2025
The summer of the blue SALDAC T-shirts.
- 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 volunteers: an elected President and an appointed executive.