The city of Calgary, where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, was historically a place of confluence where the sharing of resources, ideas and opportunities naturally come together. Long before Scottish settlers named it Calgary, the original Indigenous Nations of this area had their own names for the land. In the Blackfoot language, it is called Moh-kins-tsis (moh-GIN’-stis (a soft ‘g’). The Îethka Nakoda Wîcastabi (ee-YETH’-kah nah-COH’-dah WHISK’-ah-tah-bay) First Nations refer this place as Wicispa Oyade (weh-CHIS’-spa oh-YAH’-day) and the people of the Tsuut’ina (Soot-tenna) nation call it Guts-ists-I (GOOT’-sis). The Métis call the Calgary area Otos-kwunee (oh-TUSS’ - kwanee). 

Indigenous Peoples, the Original Peoples of the land, have long been stewards of the environment. Today, we acknowledge a shared responsibility to take action as part of the global community to reduce our emissions and safeguard our environment. Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing play a crucial role in shaping our approach to climate change, offering invaluable perspectives and practices.  

We acknowledge all Indigenous people who have made Calgary their home.