Where can you see Alberta's indigenous culture?
Calgary lies on Treaty 7 lands, where thousands of Southern Alberta's First Nations peoples gathered. Today, the city offers dozens of ways to experience the living culture of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), Tsukina, Iyaahe Nakuda, and Megita. Below is a detailed guide to locations, festivals, and tours that immerse visitors in the traditions of the First Nations.
1. Permanent venues and museums
| Location | What to see | Schedule/season | Approximate cost | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Confluence (formerly Fort Calgary) | New Kípaitápiiyssinnooni exhibit on Blackfoot life | Daily, year-round | $15 adults | 900 m² interactive “lodge gallery,” tours with Blackfoot curators |
| Heritage Park: First Nations Encampment | Tipis, traditional crafts, daily cultural interpretation | May–October + June 21 | $34.95 adults; free for self-identified Indigenous people on June 21 | Pow Wow Arena performances, stick game workshops |
| Studio Bell / National Music Centre | OHSOTO’KINO series – live performances and exhibitions by Indigenous musicians | Theme days, including June 21 | $22 adults | Drimming concerts, Cree language booths |
| Glenbow @ the JR Shaw Centre (temporary pop-up) | Exhibitions by contemporary artists Niitsitapi | neighborhood pop-ups | free | Multimedia works by Tara Wright Menichief and others |
| Elbow River Camp, Calgary Stampede | 26 tipis of the Treaty 7 families, daily powwows, potlucks | July 4–13 | included with Stampede ticket | Tours with descendants of the original 1912 participants |
2. Tourist and walking programs
- Mohkinstsis Walking Tour (St. Patrick’s Island) – 2-hour walk along the banks of the Bow River with a Kainai elder explaining the sacredness of the confluence of the rivers.
- Zucmin Guiding – sessions on plant medicine and storytelling at Nose Hill or Fish Creek.
- Many Chief Tours – routes to ancient stone circles and buffalo gathering sites.
3. Theater, dance, and living history
- Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society – annual productions of O’kosi and Making Treaty 7, which combine poetry, film, and powwow drumming to highlight the impact of the 1877 treaty.
- Indigenous Arts at Arts Commons – seasonal performances of contemporary theater and dance residencies.
- Powwow Times Live – open powwows at Olympic Plaza during Aboriginal Awareness Week.
4. Galleries, markets, and crafts
- Moonstone Creation Native Gallery (Inglewood) – beadwork, moccasins, and leather sewing lessons from members of the Cree Nation.
- Indigenous Art Market @ Heritage Park (June and September) – up to 40 Treaty 7 artisans sell paintings, drums, and cedar soap.
- Friday Bannock Booth at Elbow River Camp – try bannock tacos and saskatoon berry soup made by the Ayozi family.
5. Annual events and dates
| Date | Event | Location | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 17–22 | Aboriginal Awareness Week | Olympic Plaza / Enmax Park | Opening ceremony, city powwow, Nakada language lectures |
| June 21 | National Indigenous Peoples Day | Heritage Park, Studio Bell, Walk for Reconciliation | Free concerts, campfires with elders, mass march to The Confluence |
| July 4–13 | Calgary Stampede – Elbow River Camp | ENMAX Park | Daily dance circles, meat drying demonstration, children's games |
| July–August | Ki’pait’apiiyssinnooni Summer Series | The Confluence | Blackfoot language, weaving, and traditional humor workshops |
6. Day trips outside the city
- Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park (1 hour 15 minutes from Calgary) – museum, sacred buffalo jump, and reenactment of the signing of the Treaty 7.
- Painted Warriors Ranch (Sundre) – Creek tribe-style archery lessons and winter snowshoeing with historical legends.
7. Practical tips for visitors
- Book in advance. The Elbow River Camp and Mohkinstsis Tour are limited to 15 people and fill up a week in advance.
- Tipi etiquette. Enter on the left, move clockwise, and always wait to be invited to take a photo.
- Listen to the language. At The Confluence exhibit, all signs are first written in Blackfoot; repeat the greeting “Oki” as a sign of respect.
- Ticket programs. The Canoo App provides new Canadian citizens with free access to Heritage Park and The Confluence.
- Weather and dress code. For the powwow, choose a hat and long skirts/pants; sunscreen is a must.
8. Online resources
- Indigenous Tourism Alberta – a map of authentic experiences across the province.
- Events Calendar, The Confluence – schedule of lectures and film screenings on truth and reconciliation.
- Heritage Park “Stories & Songs” newsletter – announcements of campfire gatherings and sing-alongs with the University of Calgary.
Conclusion
From the teepee circle at Elbow River Camp to the interactive “lodge gallery” at The Confluence, Calgary offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of Alberta’s First Nations, not as an observer, but as a guest to whom stories are passed on live. Plan your visit around the sacred calendar, treat traditions with respect, and the city will open up to you with a resounding “Oki, tansi, danit'ada” (“welcome” in three Prairie languages).