The Tipi of Hope Foundation is launching a bench as a safe space at the Peter Lougheed Center

It’s a place where you can sit – and more.

On Wednesday morning, the Tipi of Hope Foundation unveiled its first “Benches for Hope” at the Peter Lougheed Center.

It was created in collaboration with surviving indigenous people and older people.

The QR code on the bench provides links to services for Indigenous patients and staff.

“Now that the bench is here, it creates a physically safe space because it is a bench for future Indigenous people,” said Melissa Lundy, founder and president of Tipi of Hope.

“Through this bench, they can now access all the services that are available to them, like smudging and (and) prayer,” Lundy added, “and then it just helps continue the conversation about how to remove these barriers for Native patients and staff.”

Tipi of Hope plans to unveil the second bench in early 2025.

He is also looking for local carpenters to get involved in the project.