This land at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers has been a place of significance for Indigenous peoples for thousands of years and remains so today. More recently, it became a site of colonization with the occupation of the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) and increasing settler presence, eventually leading to the creation of the city of Calgary.
The histories here are complex and diverse, unique and shared, inspiring and troubling. They bring together the land, the water, the animals, the plants, and the people who have been connected to this place for generations. They inform our collective experiences in what is today called Canada. Join The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland in exploring how these stories evolve, grow, and change as we continue to learn about this place.
The Confluence is working with community to activate this whole 40-acre site and create space for many different people to enjoy many different experiences, from educational tours and quiet reflection to festivals and art shows. There is room here to nurture all facets of arts and culture in our city.
Meet us at The Confluence for tours, workshops, talks, festivals and concerts, or to host your next private event!
Our Projects
Ceremonial Room Renovation $3.7M
In partnership with the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC), The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland will open an accessible indoor space for Indigenous Peoples to meet and hold ceremony.
An existing room at the north end of the Fort Calgary Barracks will be renovated to include bathrooms, a kitchenette, and autonomous access from outside. Landscaping will improve accessibility and establish a connection to the future site of the Residential School Memorial, a separate but related project led by the City of Calgary.
Indigenous Elders will guide the AFCC and The Confluence to ensure the space is properly designed and cared for.
Ceremonial Room Operating Costs $150k annually
While the room is generally run autonomously, The Confluence will provide staff to keep the room in good order as well as technology for a booking system and hardware.
Cultural Centre Transformation $3.7M
As content creation for our newest exhibit featuring Blackfoot culture and history, Ki’pait’apiiyssinnooni, is completed and construction begins, curator Star Crop Eared Wolf will move onto planning for the next phase of the exhibit overhaul, which will focus on stories from the Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina Nations. When the entire exhibit project is complete in approximately three years, The Confluence Cultural Centre will share stories about all the Treaty 7 Nations, the Métis Nation of Alberta, the North-West Mounted Police, Fort Calgary and industrialization. Ki’pait’apiiyssinnooni will open in late 2024.
School & Youth Programming – Ongoing support
We are excited to welcome students in Grades 1-6 to The Confluence, a significant place to reflect on history and learn about the people who shaped our city. Our programs are an interactive and engaging look at the many complex stories that converge at the lands of The Confluence. Our interdisciplinary programs are designed to encourage inquiry-based learning and critical thinking about our history, while connecting to the new elementary curriculum.
Through our school programs in the 2023/2024 school year we welcomed 328 full day programs that engaged 8,332 students having to decline 90 bookings due to running at capacity.
Our summer camp, PD day and evening youth programs also continue to shine connecting kids with the land and their community through hands-on activities, field trips, and all kinds of fun!
The Confluence has a number of individual giving initiatives as well as custom designed donor opportunities.
We invite you to join us in creating something extraordinary at The Confluence, where diverse narratives of the land converge. Your philanthropic support will make a significant impact on the vibrant culture that Calgary provides, weaving together the rich histories and stories that define this unique place.