National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrated across Calgary with music, stories, and calls for unity

Hundreds of Calgarians marked National Indigenous Peoples Day on Sunday with celebrations across the city that blended cultural performances, teachings, and calls for unity and relationship-building amid Alberta's ongoing separation debate. At ContainR Art Park in Inglewood, the Indigenous Gathering Place Society hosted a celebration featuring music, storytelling, art, and cultural teachings guided by elders and knowledge keepers, drawing both Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members. During the opening ceremony, elder Clarence Wolfleg from the Siksika Nation spoke about the importance of mutual understanding and working across divides.

"We're not only celebrating us, we're also honouring all of you that came to this land," Wolfleg told the crowd. "I look at this as one world, one people. The day we realize that, we won't have all this separation and problems.

That's what we try to promote — to work together and get to know each other. Don't put borders." Wolfleg spoke directly to current political tensions, saying leaders should be guided by faith, honesty, and kindness. "Leaders are supposed to have these three things," he said.

"Today, they're trying to say, 'Oh, we're going to take Alberta, we're going to be separate.' We can't do that. We have to work together." Meanwhile, about 200 people participated in the annual Walk for Reconciliation, travelling from the Harry Hays Building in downtown Calgary along the RiverWalk to the Confluence Historic Site and Parkland.

The event featured speeches from residential school survivors, drumming and dance performances, and activities including traditional Indigenous games and Métis cultural programming at Hunt House, Calgary's oldest building. The National Music Centre also marked the day with a free public event featuring performances by Inuit throat-singing duo Tudjaat, Black Crow Funk, Métis singer-songwriter Jody Funk, and electronic artist sean beaver. Alberta Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney said in a statement that National Indigenous Peoples Day — marking its 30th anniversary of formal recognition by Parliament this year — is both celebration and reflection.

"It is an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultures, histories and leadership of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples," Sawhney said. "Days like National Indigenous Peoples Day remind us that reconciliation is built over time — through relationships, learning and everyday action."