Our Mission Statement
To reduce isolation and improve mental health by offering culturally resonant, interest-based programming for intergenerational Punjabi-speaking women in Edmonton.
Our Vision
To create a vibrant, inclusive community space where Punjabi women can build meaningful connections, celebrate their stories, and experience joy and belonging.
Through this initiative, Sahelian aims to foster intergenerational bonds, support the mental well-being of our each other, especially focussing on our community elders, and building a culturally rooted support network that affirms and honours their lived experiences.
Our Story
Sahelian was founded in direct response to a gap in culturally appropriate support for Punjabi-speaking senior women in Edmonton.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of granddaughters came together to address the growing issue of social isolation affecting their grandmothers and other senior women in their community. They observed not only isolation but also a sharp decline in mental health. Many seniors lacked access to safe transportation and were unable to navigate icy sidewalks, limiting their ability to socialize. While senior men often had access to vehicles and culturally familiar spaces like the Millwood’s Cultural Society for the Retired, women were excluded from these male-oriented spaces. Other community centers, such as the Mill Woods Seniors Association, primarily served English-speaking seniors aligned with Western cultural norms, leaving Punjabi-speaking senior women without a place where they felt truly welcomed or understood.
Sahelian was created to meet this urgent need — providing a culturally, linguistically, and socially safe space where Punjabi senior women could gather, connect, and thrive. We believe that positive social interaction is essential to overall well-being. Our programming is designed to create opportunities for mental wellness, cultural celebration, and community care delivered in the Punjabi language and rooted in shared heritage and experiences.