The president of the former Fort Calgary said that their organization mustn’t reflect any singular point in time, and instead, it should be a place that holds space for diverse stories of the land.

Jennifer Thompson introduced the Confluence Historic Site and Parkland to the community on Thursday in the Burnswest Theatre at the historic site.

Thompson, who took over the role of president 15 months ago, said they’d engaged with more than 1,500 people about the past of Fort Calgary and what they wanted to see in the future. She said they learned that citizens have high expectations of the location, which is at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers.

“In fact, they want to hear more stories of history, including those of Indigenous peoples, settlers, the Northwest Mounted Police, newcomers and the land itself,” she said.

“To do that the predominant narrative of this place can no longer begin and end in the year 1875 when the Northwest Mounted Police arrived here.”

Thompson said they would activate the entire 40-acre Confluence site for people from all walks of life to experience all facets of art and culture.

“The Confluence will be a destination for locals to find a sense of identity and connection to the land they live on, and where tourists can learn stories and cultures at this special place,” she said.

Star Crop Eared Wolf was brought on as the Confluence’s in-house curator back in November 2023. She will be responsible for transforming the stories and exhibits delivered at the site. Part of that will be the creation of a replica, life-sized Blackfoot lodge that will be an exhibition space for Indigenous stories.

“Throughout history, Indigenous people weren’t really given the opportunity to be a part of these conversations,” she said.

“Being able to sit at the table and give my ideas and thoughts and have them validated and to be able to create a Blackfoot exhibit is a step in the right direction.”

The Winter Count

Crop Eared Wolf said she was excited about the name change to the Confluence. She said it’s necessary and is a sign of growth.

“Historically, in Blackfoot culture, we change our names when we go through different aspects of life,” she said.

“What we’re trying to do here is bring it into a different path and show the diversity and dynamic mosaic of cultures that exist in Calgary.”

Part of that change will be documented in something called a winter count. It’s a tanned elk skin that will be added to annually by artist Winston Wadsworth, with the guidance of Elders.  The winter count is a record of events captured in only one painted symbol that represents the most prominent event that year.

He said they’re saving history with the stories depicted on the hide.

“Sometimes we can never go back to the past. But we can always save those skills in those teachings of our Elders,” Wadsworth said.

Thompson said that there’s no longer a fort at the site. It was destroyed by fire in 2003. They will continue to honour the North West Mounted Police and their contribution to the site. They will still have the replica barracks and you’ll still be able to see Col. McLeod from the street she said. They will also be putting up a panel marking the former fort’s site, she said.

“We just really want to be clear that this wasn’t about erasing history. This was in fact about broadening a story,” she said.

“This is about adding voices that were taken away when we just immortalize the fort. And unfortunately, the fort is no longer here.”

Meanwhile, the City of Calgary’s Indigenous Relations Office, in partnership with Fort Calgary, said that the Indian Residential School Memorial Project has moved into its design phase.

“The Indian Residential School Memorial Project is a meaningful and important initiative that will acknowledge the truth of what happened to Indigenous children and families in our city and across the country,” said Lorelei Higgens, Team Lead, Indigenous Relations Office.

“It will also celebrate the strength and spirit of the survivors and their descendants, and foster reconciliation and healing among all Calgarians.”