A space in the Confluence is now fore Indigenous Ceremony and Programming. Photo by Stephen Strand
The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland now has a space for Indigenous Ceremony and Programming.
As part of this new space, Indigenous people and organizations are able to book this space, free of charge, for ceremony, cultural practice, and to run Indigenous-led programming.
Jennifer Thompson, the President of the Confluence Historic Site and Parkland, explains more.
According to Thompson, this space came about after discussions with Indigenous Elders and advisors.
This space was purpose built from knowledge they received from Indigenous Elders, and before the space was renovated, they held an all-night smoke ceremony, hosted by an Elder.
The cost to renovate the space, which was just under three million dollars, was covered by the City of Calgary.
The space is already open and ready to be used, which can hold upwards of 40 people, and there is a kitchenette for people to use.
The room is also ventilated properly so people can hold smudges.
On top of this space, there is an outdoor fire pit that is also the site of a future residential school memorial.
Dr. Gabrielle Weaselhead, the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) Board President, explains more about this space.
Weaselhead says the opening of this space represents a shift in attitudes.
She adds that people will come together in this space and continue transforming relationships.
At the Confluence, there is a mural on the outside of the building, which was created by Nicole Wolf.
Wolf explains the mural.
There is also a face in the mural, which Wolf says she added to soften the look of the building, because when Elders first saw the entranceway to the building, it reminded them of the schools they attended when they were young.
The Confluence is located where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, and is a place of Indigenous gathering and ceremony that is steeped in thousands of years of tradition.
In 1875, Fort Calgary was built on the land by the North-West Mounted Police.
To learn more about the Confluence, click here.
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