Original article from Taza found here.
Set against the foothills near southwest Calgary, Buffalo Run has quickly emerged as a destination where commerce, culture, and community converge.
Spanning 390 acres, this vibrant community village serves as a gathering place that celebrates the spirit and heritage of Tsuut’ina Nation while fostering opportunity and connection. Within this dynamic setting, The Shops at Buffalo Run have become a can’t-miss destination, offering more than 257,000 square feet of retail and office space. Now, with over 90% occupancy, The Shops at Buffalo Run also stands as a thriving hub for Indigenous entrepreneurship. This hub is home to a growing network of Indigenous businesses that are redefining what inclusive economic development looks like in Alberta.
The Shops at Buffalo Run’s newest addition, the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (AIOC), marks a significant milestone in this vision, representing both progress and purpose, and reinforcing Buffalo Run’s role as a place where economic empowerment and cultural connection thrive side by side.
Empowering Indigenous Prosperity Across Alberta
AIOC is a provincial Crown corporation established by the Government of Alberta to help Indigenous Nations and groups transform innovation into tangible economic opportunity. With up to $3 billion in loan guarantees, AIOC enables Indigenous communities to invest in major projects across sectors, including natural resources, agriculture, telecommunications, transportation, tourism, healthcare, and technology.
Since its inception in 2019, AIOC has helped 43 First Nations and Métis groups across nine transactions with over $745 million in loan guarantees. These investments are generating more than $1.4 billion in revenues back to participating Indigenous Nations and groups —building sustainable pathways toward self-determined prosperity.
“When you think about how any person or company generates wealth, it’s usually by borrowing, but if you can’t borrow money, how do you do it? That’s where AIOC comes in. We help remove those barriers for Indigenous communities, allowing them to invest, grow, and generate sustainable, long-term returns.” – Chana Martineau, CEO of AIOC.
Martineau describes the work of AIOC as creating a “multi-generational impact,” supporting projects that deliver immediate returns while enabling communities to reinvest in their futures.
Over the next 15 to 20 years, Indigenous groups will be able to reinvest the capital from these projects back into their communities. Our work is part of an ongoing act of reconciliation, helping build long-term capacity and ensuring Indigenous participation in the economic future of this province. – Chana Martineau, CEO of AIOC.
Why Buffalo Run? A Home That Feels Right
When AIOC’s lease in downtown Calgary neared its end in 2024, the team took a step back to ask: where do we truly belong?
“Downtown made sense for proximity to corporate Alberta and capital markets,” Martineau shares. “But it wasn’t closest to our most important constituents: Indigenous communities. Here at Buffalo Run, we’re part of something that feels right.”
Martineau describes being located at The Shops at Buffalo Run as “even better than we imagined,” adding that the environment and community at Taza offer a warmth and connection not often found in downtown Calgary. “Many of our employees were nervous about the move, having worked in the city for most of their careers, but we all agree that it just feels right. The air is better down here,” she laughs. “We’re confident that this is the right place for us.”
The new AIOC headquarters reflects this sense of belonging, featuring natural finishes, purposeful meeting spaces, and design elements that align with the organization’s values and identity, including authentic Indigenous artwork. The site also offers free, easy parking and scenic views, which Martineau says only add to the growing list of reasons that make Taza an exceptional place for AIOC to call home.
Beyond aesthetics and convenience, the move to Buffalo Run carries deep significance. As Martineau notes, being located on both Treaty 6 and 7 territory while serving Indigenous Nations and groups across each territory underscores AIOC’s mission to foster collaboration, reconciliation, and prosperity on Indigenous lands.
I think it sends an important message that we operate from Indigenous lands, among the very communities we aim to support. Each day, we’re reminded of the purpose behind what we do. It’s a privilege to host our partners here, in a space that reflects and respects the Nations we work alongside. – Chana Martineau, CEO of AIOC.