A new space for Indigenous programming and cultural practice opened Friday at the Confluence. Indigenous organizations and individuals can book the Holy Gathering Space, also known as Naatowápitao’ohkánnao’p in Blackfoot, at no charge. “The site where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet has always been culturally significant to the Blackfoot people and the other Treaty 7 nations,“ the Confluence posted on social media. “For decades, members of the Indigenous community have been advocating for an accessible, autonomous space at The Confluence for ceremony and cultural practice.” “This land — Mohkinstsis — has always been a gathering place for our people,” said AFCC(Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary) CEO Shane Gauthier, in a post on the Confluence website. “To have a space intentionally designed for ceremony and cultural practice in the heart of our city is a profound act of reclaiming that connection. This partnership with The Confluence goes beyond simply providing a room; it creates a dignified, culturally safe home for our traditions to live and breathe downtown. “It directly answers the call from our community for accessible spaces where we can gather, smudge, and connect in a good way, ensuring that Indigenous culture remains a visible and vital part of Calgary’s fabric.” The Holy Gathering Space is “a bright, ventilated room that can accommodate smudging,” the Confluence website post said. " It features a separate entrance, kitchenette, two dedicated washrooms, an outdoor firepit area complete with built-in seating, and a dedicated parking area. “We are so grateful to the community,” said Confluence president Jennifer Thompson, in an interview with CTV News. “We could not be more excited to have this and invite people in. We’ve already had a number of bookings that we’ve piloted in the space.” One of those, held in the fall of 2025, was the Sinopaa Pokaiks Blackfoot cultural camp, designed to help Indigenous youth connect to their culture through Elder teachings and immersive activities. The space will be part of the Aboriginal Friendship Centre. Funding comes from the city’s Capital Grant program. Artist Nicole Wolf was also on hand to help celebrate the opening of Bow Mother III, a vibrant new mural that wraps around the exterior of Holy Gathering Place.
