The need and desire for an Indigenous Gathering Place has existed for decades. Through grass-roots initiatives of passionate like-minded peoples devoted to the cause, momentum and support has culminated to a vital stage of the process: land acquisition—a place to call home.
Project
Indigenous Gathering Place Timeline
Learn more about the steps taken to advance the development of an Indigenous gathering space within the City of Calgary
31 January 2022
2014
The Enough for All Indigenous Strategy is completed and one of the key recommendations is “The need for a Cultural Centre.” Chief Robert Joseph posed a question at the Reconciliation Canada workshop: “What does Calgary need to reconcile?”
2016
The need for an Indigenous Gathering Place was identified in the White Goose Flying report and brought to Calgary City Council.
2017
Formal Indigenous Gathering Place mission statement and governance model developed. Board members were elected and a traditional face painting ceremony was held. The Case for An Indigenous Gathering Place was developed and outlines three years’ worth of collaborative effort and community engagement, infused with traditional spiritual practices.
2018
Tea dance ceremony that involved prayer, feasting, dancing, socializing, storytelling, and speeches. It was a significant ceremonial practice to prepare, bless, serve and honour our relations. The Indigenous Gathering Place becomes a nonprofit society.
2021
In May, the City of Calgary and the Indigenous Gathering Place Society of Calgary participated in a Pipe ceremony to honour their shared commitment toward building an Indigenous Gathering Place within the City of Calgary.
2022
Notice of Motion submitted to start talks and confirm a location for the Indigenous Gathering Place.
Sept. 2022
The City of Calgary proposes a new deadline of Q3 of 2023 for the conclusion of the land transfer process.
Resources
- Visit the Indigenous Gathering Place website and see how you can support the initiative.
- Lee Stevens recounts the early days of the IGP and reflects on what having an IGP would mean to her as an urban Indigenous person.
- The Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee developed the White Goose Flying Report, a local adaptation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report. It identified 18 calls to action that can be influenced locally.