Indigenous Influences

Indigenous influences

Come in, there is room

The home of Scotia Place is on land that is ancestral and historical of the Indigenous Peoples. It is a culturally significant location that represents our shared purpose – to gather.

It honors and celebrates the Treaty 7 Nations, Metis Nation, and the Urban Indigenous Community. The design offers a chance to showcase Indigenous culture and history, through art and education.

Acknowledging Indigenous culture through design

The Scotia Place design is inspired by Indigenous perspectives and voices. The gathering spaces reflect and respect Indigenous cultural views and unique lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples, in a modern context. These cultural perspectives, connected to place and land, are key to the design.

Based on The City of Calgary’s Indigenous Policy Framework, an Indigenous Advisory Committee met over four day-long sessions in spring 2024. Representatives from all the Nations of Treaty 7, the Métis Nation of Alberta, and the Urban Indigenous community of Calgary discussed how to include Indigenous cultural representation in the design.

The conversations resulted in seven primary themes, which are woven through the venue’s design.

Tipis are in the background as a line of Aboriginal folks walk in traditional wear
This rendering is conceptual and may be subject to minor changes.

  • Fire, water, land, and air

    The four sacred elements of nature

    These elements are deeply symbolic in Indigenous cultures, representing the connection of all life and the strong relationship Indigenous people have with the land, water, environment, and spiritual realms. Fire symbolizes life, warmth, and renewal; water represents purity, life-giving sustenance, and the flow of knowledge; land stands for stability, grounding, and the connection to ancestral lands; and air signifies breath, spirit, and the unseen forces that guide and connect all beings.

  • The home fire

    Connecting community

    The home fire symbolizes family, community, and the warmth of gathering. It represents remembering ancestors, healing, togetherness, connection, and strength.

  • Come in, there is room

    A space for everyone

    Indigenous languages are important to expressing cultural identity, values, and worldviews. By including these languages throughout the design, visitors can hear, see, and interact with the rich linguistic diversity of Indigenous cultures. Regardless of background, there is room for you here.

  • Rooted in the land

    An ancestral place

    The design respects traditional territories and sacred sites. It reflects the historical and cultural significance of the land, recognizing its importance to Indigenous Nations and the deep-rooted connection to it. By including the tipi and the Metis cabin, the project honors this profound relationship of home, family, and the circular nature of life.

  • A Gathering Place

    The confluence of two Rivers

    The meeting point of the Elbow and Bow Rivers is recognized as a historical and traditional gathering place. This ancestral land has long been a centre of connecting and collaborating among Indigenous Nations and peoples.

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Participating Indigenous Nations and Community

Blackfoot Confederacy

  • Kainai Nation
  • Piikani Nation
  • Siksika Nation

Stoney Nakoda

  • Bearspaw First Nation
  • Chiniki First Nation
  • Goodstoney First Nation

Tsuut’ina Nation

Métis Nation of Alberta

  • Calgary Nose Hill Metis District
  • Calgary Elbow Metis District

Calgary Urban Indigenous community

  • Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary

Welcome window sign
This rendering is conceptual and may be subject to minor changes.
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Three priorities for Indigenous engagement

1. Foster Meaningful Engagement

Have meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities, leadership, Elders, and knowledge keepers to truly understand the transformational knowledge within Indigenous cultures.

2. Commit to Reconciliation

Follow the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, showing a strong commitment to reconciliation for Canada and its people.

3. Build Inclusive Knowledge

Encourage sharing of knowledge between the Project Team and Indigenous Nations and communities. This helps create a space that inspire, invite, and welcome individuals from all cultural backgrounds.

inside an arena on the arena floor, Aboriginal folks are dressed in traditional wear. there is a line of 7 people holding flags centre of the image
Image courtesy of Travel Alberta / Youn Park.
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Project partners

Land Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge that we are on the ancestral and traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy, made up of the Siksika, Piikani, Amskaapipiikani and Kainai First Nations; the Îethka Nakoda Wîcastabi First Nations, comprised of the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations; and the Tsuut’ina First Nation. The city of Calgary is also homeland to the historic Northwest Métis and to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, Métis Nation Battle River Territory, Nose Hill Métis District 5 and Elbow Métis District 6. We acknowledge all Indigenous people who have made Calgary their home.

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© 2024. Official web site of The City of Calgary, located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

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