A Statement from the Indigenous Gathering Place Society on the Confluence Site Concept Plan

We acknowledge the release of The Confluence Site Concept Plan and the work that has gone into shaping a vision for this important place.

In response to questions from our community, the Indigenous Gathering Place Society wishes to clarify that the IGPS, including our Board of Directors and Elders Circle, was neither engaged in nor invited to participate in the development of this plan. As a result, we are unable to comment on how the plan was developed.

At the same time, we were surprised by elements contained within the Site Concept Plan and disappointed not to see the Indigenous Gathering Place vision clearly reflected, particularly given the extensive community engagement, advocacy, and relationship-building that has taken place over the past decade to advance an Indigenous-led, purpose-built Gathering Place at Moh’kinsstis.

Since time immemorial, Moh’kinsstis has been a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples of Treaty 7. The vision for the Indigenous Gathering Place is grounded in this history and has been shaped through extensive community engagement since 2014, under the guidance and direction of Elders and Indigenous community members. This work has reflected ongoing conversations, ceremony, relationship-building, and community leadership focused on creating a visible, purpose-built space for ceremony, cultural connection, learning, and knowledge sharing.

We are grateful for the support of Mayor Farkas, City Council and Administration in advancing this vision. Through our Memorandum of Understanding, the 2022 Notice of Motion, and the 2025 Partnership Agreement with The City of Calgary, there is a shared commitment to realizing an Indigenous Gathering Place at Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet.

More importantly, this work has also been affirmed through multiple Pipe Ceremonies at key moments in this journey, including the signing of the MOU with The City of Calgary and the initial borehole drilling and site investigation work undertaken in Fall 2023, as planning for the IGP at the southwest corner of the Fort Calgary site commenced. Before ground was broken, a pipe ceremony led by Elder Miiksika'am and Elder Herman Many Guns was held to call upon Creator to guide and bless this work and the future Indigenous Gathering Place in this location.

These moments reflected more than technical or administrative processes; they were grounded in ceremony, relationship, responsibility, and a shared commitment to moving this work forward in a good way.

The Indigenous Gathering Place remains a distinct and longstanding Indigenous-led vision carried forward by Elders, community members, and Indigenous leadership. It reflects the desire for a permanent, visible and purpose-built space grounded in Indigenous ways of gathering, learning, ceremony, and cultural connection.

The Indigenous Gathering Place will be realized at Moh’kinsstis.

We will continue working with Mayor Farkas, City Council, and Administration to ensure this vision, as defined through Indigenous leadership and community guidance, is meaningfully and appropriately reflected in the future of Moh’kinsstis.

We move this work forward in a good way, grounded in the responsibility to ensure this place reflects the full and living history of this land, while remaining committed to Indigenous leadership in the telling of these stories and to ensuring the vision carried by our Elders is realized.

Buddie Dixon and Shawna Morning Bull
Co-chairs, Indigenous Gathering Place Society of Calgary