CALGARY, Canada — On Jan. 14, 2026, the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC) launched its Indigenous ReconciliAction Plan, making it the first convention center in Canada to create a formal commitment to the local Indigenous community.
For a venue that was Canada’s first purpose-built convention center more than 50 years ago, this plan represents a “next generation” approach to community and convention services, according to Kurby Court, MA, CCP, the CTCC’s President and CEO.
“At the heart of our work is a simple principle: We have a duty of care to respect the knowledge gifted to us by the people who have been stewarding this land for centuries,” said Court.
The multi-year plan is built on a framework the CTCC calls P.A.T.H., which focuses on four key pillars:
- Partner: Collaborating with Indigenous leaders and knowledge-keepers to understand the history and stories of the land.
- Acknowledge: Recognizing their role in bringing global visitors to the ancestral lands of Treaty 7 and the Métis Nation.
- Teach: Providing cultural awareness training for both employees and guests to eliminate misconceptions.
- Heighten: Committing to meaningful relationships through direct employment and Indigenous business opportunities.
Court explained that this plan is a multi-year endeavor that will continually change and evolve, and reflects on the venue’s role within a greater community and builds a path forward through collaboration and the understanding that more can be done towards truth and reconciliation.
“The CTCC is a community hub and gathering space on Treaty 7 lands that have been stewarded by Indigenous peoples for centuries. We have a duty of care to respect the knowledge gifted to us. As a community hub, we will continue to support providing safe and inclusive spaces for Indigenous experiences,” Court said.
The CTCC is translating several principles into the attendee experience through unique initiatives, such as Indigenous Art & Storytelling, including works from Indigenous artists commissioned by the venue.
For example, Keegan Starlight created paintings about how the CTCC is a gathering space, alive with conversation, creativity and community.
Another initiative is boosting visibility for local creators, including during the Calgary Stampede when the CTCC hosts a public Indigenous Art Market to take advantage of the heavy international foot traffic.
The CTCC also now offers a Client Indigenous Program, acting as a liaison for event planners, helping them authentically incorporate elder blessings, drumming, dancing and art walks into their programs by connecting them with the right community resources.
“Through our Client Indigenous Program, we encourage clients to weave Indigenous programming into events at the CTCC … [which] promotes lasting legacy through education and understanding of Indigenous peoples and the land in which we work and live as newcomers,” Court said.
As part of the ReconciliAction Plan, Court says they will be looking for different ways to extend equal opportunity for Indigenous peoples to access and apply for employment positions within the CTCC.
Earlier this year, CTCC employees learned the true history of Indigenous peoples across Canada through a cultural awareness training program with Indigenous Tourism Alberta.
“Opportunities like this allow our team to show up more thoughtfully in the work that we do every day and strengthen the experiences we help to create for our delegates,” Court said.
CTCC also continues to sponsor industry conferences, such as the International Indigenous Tourism Conference, which brings together global Indigenous and non-Indigenous tourism leaders to foster partnerships and educate.
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