Campfire Chats celebrate Indigenous culture and music

National Indigenous Peoples Day is a time to recognize and celebrate the rich histories, cultures and traditions of Indigenous communities across Canada.  

In honour of the day, June 21, the University of Calgary presents its 10th annual Campfire Chats, an event established to celebrate Indigenous culture.     

Campfire Chats was first introduced during UCalgary’s 50-year anniversary in 2016. Now in its third year of partnership with Heritage Park, Campfire Chats is a celebration of Indigenous peoples' cultures and storytelling through musical performance.   

“Campfire Chats is an event for reflection and celebration and is part of the university’s continued commitment to walk in parallel paths,” says Dr. Michael Hart, PhD, vice-provost (Indigenous Engagement). 

“This celebration provides our campus community and the boarder community of Calgary an opportunity to learn as we come together as relatives in a good way.” 

Campfire Chats feature music

This year’s Campfire Chats features music by drum group Eya-Hey Nakoda; Craig Ginn, Métis recording artist and Associate Professor; Foreshadow, Salish and Blackfeet hip-hop artist; singer/songwriter Ksk'staak'iinna; and Calgary recording artist Shane Ghostkeeper from the experimental-folk band Ghostkeeper. 

“I still remember the very first Campfire Chat at the University of Calgary, and now, years later, nearly a decade on, it is a true honour to host the music component on this special day,” says Anita Crowshoe, Heritage Park’s senior Indigenous engagement advisor. 

“Being part of the rich history of National Indigenous Peoples Day is deeply meaningful to me, not as a co-host, but as an Indigenous person invited to celebrate and contribute. It’s a privilege to honour the journey, the stories and the voices that continue to shape our shared path forward.” 

Hart says Campfire Chats presents an opportunity for UCalgary to collaborate with Heritage Park and helps contribute to the academic, cultural, social and economic interests of the city.  

For more information and to register, visit the event page.