How to Contact Your City Councillor

Support the Indigenous Gathering Place at Moh’kinsstis

For more than a decade, Elders, Indigenous community members, and supporters have been working to establish a permanent, purpose-built, Indigenous-led Gathering Place at Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet.

This vision did not begin with a building. It began with community.

Since 2014, hundreds of people have contributed to shaping the vision through engagement sessions, gatherings, ceremonies, community conversations, feasibility studies, planning exercises, and advocacy. Guided by Elders and Indigenous leadership, the vision has remained consistent: a permanent place for ceremony, cultural connection, learning, healing, and gathering in the heart of Calgary.

Moh’kinsstis has been a gathering place since time immemorial. It is a place of deep cultural, historical, and spiritual significance for the peoples of Treaty 7. The vision for the Indigenous Gathering Place is rooted in this history and in ensuring Indigenous presence, culture, and leadership are visibly reflected within the future of this city.

In Fall 2023, as planning and site investigation work commenced at the southwest corner of the Fort Calgary site, Elders Miiksika'am and Herman Many Guns led a Pipe Ceremony to bless the land and call upon Creator's guidance for the future Indigenous Gathering Place. Community members, City Administration, and project partners gathered together in ceremony before any ground investigation work began.

For many, this ceremony represented more than a project milestone. It reflected a shared commitment to bringing this long-held community vision to life at Moh’kinsstis.

Today, that vision remains unchanged.

Community voices matter. One of the most meaningful ways you can help is by sharing your support with Mayor Farkas and your City Councillor.

Step 1: Find Your City Councillor

If you are unsure who your City Councillor is, you can find them using the City of Calgary Ward Map.

Visit: https://www.calgary.ca/council/findyourcouncillor.html

Enter your address to identify your ward and Councillor.

Step 2: Contact Your Councillor and the Mayor

You can contact your Councillor by filling out the City's contact form and selecting the appropriate Councillor:

https://www.calgary.ca/council/dyncrm-councillors-contact.html

You may also wish to copy Mayor Farkas on your message (themayor@calgary.ca)

Step 3: Share Why the Indigenous Gathering Place Matters

Your message does not need to be lengthy.Personal stories and perspectives are often the most powerful.

You may wish to share that:

• Moh’kinsstis has been a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial.

• The vision for the Indigenous Gathering Place has been shaped through more than 10 years of community engagement, ceremony, and Indigenous leadership.

• Calgary remains one of the largest cities in Canada without a permanent, visible, purpose-built Indigenous Gathering Place.

• The Indigenous Gathering Place would create space for ceremony, cultural teachings, learning, healing, gathering, and community connection.

• The vision is for an Indigenous-led purpose-built space that reflects the cultures, histories, and living traditions of Treaty 7 Nations and Indigenous Peoples who call Calgary home.

• The Indigenous Gathering Place represents reconciliation in action and is a long-standing community vision that deserves to move forward.

• The Indigenous Gathering Place should be realized at Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet.

Sample Message

Hello Mayor Farkas and Councillor,

I am writing to share my support for the Indigenous Gathering Place at Moh’kinsstis.

For more than a decade, Elders, Indigenous community members, and supporters have worked to advance a vision for a permanent, purpose-built, Indigenous-led Gathering Place where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet.

Moh’kinsstis has been a gathering place since time immemorial and holds deep cultural and historical significance for the peoples of Treaty 7. I believe the Indigenous Gathering Place would provide an important space for ceremony, cultural connection, learning, healing, and community gathering, while creating a lasting and visible reflection of Indigenous presence in our city.

I encourage The City of Calgary to continue working with the Indigenous Gathering Place Society and Indigenous leadership to ensure this long-standing community vision is realized at Moh’kinsstis.

Thank you for your time and leadership.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Community or Ward]

Thank You!

Community support helps move this vision forward. Thank you for taking the time to share your voice.