Hundreds of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people gathered at the BMO Centre in Calgary for the All My Relations Healing Powwow [1].

The event serves as a critical bridge for community reconciliation by sharing cultural traditions and promoting healing between diverse populations in Alberta.

The gathering took place Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, running from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. [2]. This marked the second annual occurrence of the event, following an inaugural gathering held in May 2023 [2].

Participants from across North America attended the powwow to engage with Indigenous traditions. The event was designed to provide a space where Albertans could get to know one another better through the sharing of heritage, and cultural practices [3].

Organizers said the gathering focused on the role of fostering positive relationships. By bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous attendees, the event aimed to support a broader process of community healing, and mutual understanding [3].

The BMO Centre hosted the festivities, which featured cultural performances and interactions intended to provide positive role models for children within the community [3]. The event highlighted the importance of visibility and tradition in maintaining cultural identity while inviting outsiders to learn about Indigenous ways of life [3].

“Hundreds of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people gathered at the BMO Centre in Calgary”

The growth of the All My Relations Healing Powwow into a second annual event indicates a sustained demand for structured, public spaces that facilitate Indigenous-non-Indigenous interaction. By utilizing a major venue like the BMO Centre, the event moves cultural healing from private or isolated spaces into the civic center of Calgary, signaling a push for more visible and integrated reconciliation efforts within the province.