Pokaiks 10 Year Anniversary
Circular artwork by Rudy Black Plume: rows of figures in yellow, white, black and red on an orange band, framed by black fields of white dots and a cross, ringed by painted lodges.

10th Annual Commemorative Walk & Gathering

Pokaiks means “The Children” in Blackfoot

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Mohkinstsis (Calgary)

We walk for all children; of the past, present and future.

Free, and all are welcome

Wednesday, September 30

Opening ceremonies begin at 11:00 AM at River Hall.

Then we walk 1 km together to Contemporary Calgary for the afternoon gathering.

The day

From River Hall to Contemporary Calgary.

  1. 11:00 AM

    Opening ceremonies

    River Hall, 311 8 St SW, next to the 10th Street Bridge

    Directions to River Hall

  2. 11:30 AM

    The walk

    One kilometre together, from River Hall to Contemporary Calgary

  3. 12:00 to 5:00 PM

    The gathering

    Contemporary Calgary, 701 11 St SW. Artisan market, performers and Elders.

    Directions to Contemporary Calgary

  4. 5:00 PM

    Closing ceremonies

    Contemporary Calgary

2nd Floor Theatre

DJ Sarah Good Medicine

Hosted by

DJ Sarah Good Medicine

  1. 1:00–1:15 PM

    Baby Flats Drum Group

  2. 1:20–2:05 PM

    Pow Wow Times

    Dancers

  3. 2:15–2:40 PM

    Casey Fenton

    Dancer

  4. 2:45–3:05 PM

    Michif Dancers

    Métis jiggers

  5. 3:45–3:55 PM

    Willow Woman & Red Crow Man

    Drumming and dancing

  6. 4:35–4:45 PM

    Ivan Eagletail & Sons

    Dancers

3rd Floor Dome Theatre

Tito Gomez

Hosted by

Tito Gomez

  1. 1:00–2:00 PM

    Children's film programming

    Featuring Legendary Myths: Raven Adventures

    Legendary Myths: Raven Adventures title art
  2. 2:00–2:45 PM

    Interactive Drum Circle

    With Chantal Stormsong Chagnon

    Chantal Stormsong Chagnon with a hand drum
  3. 3:00–4:45 PM

    Mini Indigenous Film Festival

    • V-Twin by Michael Auger
    • Wat’sa by Alanna Bluebird (Onespot)
    • Naàhìsgaká by Alanna Bluebird
    • A Women’s Voice by Sandra Sutter

All times are approximate, and this page is kept up to date on the day.

Finding your way

Contemporary Calgary, 701 11 St SW. Take the spiral ramp up to the theatres.

Map of Contemporary Calgary Level 1: main entrance, main floor with artisans and family fun, Elders’ Niche, workshop, spiral ramp and washrooms, with the tipi and Indigenous games outside. Level 2: theatre, spiral ramp and washrooms. Level 3: Dome Theatre. Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Not to scale Tipi & Indigenous games Parking lot Workshop Elders’ Niche Main floor Artisans & family fun Spiral ramp Washrooms Main entrance 11 St SW Theatre Spiral ramp Washrooms Dome Theatre

Around the gathering

Noon to 5:00 PM throughout Contemporary Calgary.

Families in orange shirts carry the Pokaiks Commemorative Walk and Gathering banner, with flags raised behind them.
Walking together at a past Pokaiks Commemorative Walk and Gathering.

About Pokaiks

Pokaiks means “The Children” in Blackfoot. The name was given to us in a sacred ceremony by our respected Elder Clarence Wolfleg, a residential school Survivor. It honours the children lost to the residential school system and the Sixties Scoop, the Survivors, and the generations to come.

This is our tenth year of walking together.

Inspiring ReconciliACTION through arts and culture.

Our vision

Our 10-year featured artwork, by Rudy Black Plume

“A symbol to show all peoples and Children / Pokaiks united, all the colours in the people and the lodges. We are all one. We walk for all children.”

Watch

Our latest from Instagram. The video plays when you tap it.

Watch on Instagram

Land acknowledgement

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we are located in Mohkinstsis (Calgary), which is located within Treaty 7 territory, the traditional lands of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy). This region is also home to the Tsuu’tina First Nation, the Îyâxe (Stoney) Nakoda Nations, and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, Districts 5 and 6 of the Battle River Territory. We extend our respect to all people, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who call this region home.

Taking care of each other

Today can bring up hard memories. Support is available at any hour, free of charge.

National Indian Residential School Crisis Line For Survivors and their families, 24 hours a day 1-866-925-4419 Hope for Wellness Help Line For First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, 24 hours a day. Chat online at hopeforwellness.ca 1-855-242-3310

With gratitude

Thank you to our 2026 partners, sponsors and supporters.