The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland

What The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland does

The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland is a charitable not-for-profit organization operating a 42-acre National Historic Site at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers in downtown Calgary, Alberta. Originally established as Fort Calgary in 1875 by the North-West Mounted Police and rebranded in May 2024 to broaden its narrative beyond colonial perspectives, the organization preserves and interprets the site's multi-millennial Indigenous significance while serving as a public park, cultural centre, and event venue. Core products and services include permanent and rotating exhibits (headlined by Kípaitápiiyssinnooni, the first new permanent exhibit in over 20 years), guided and self-guided tours in multiple languages, school programs serving approximately 10,000 students annually, Indigenous-led cultural programming through the Holy Gathering Place (operated in partnership with the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary), venue rentals for private events, and third-party festival hosting (Country Thunder, SkijorDue, Block Heater, Brewery & The Beast, East End Cold Spell).

The organization's revenue model blends earned and contributed income across five streams: admissions and program fees (currently discounted 30% during the exhibit transition period from December 2025 to February 2026), venue rentals and event hosting (including a 1,000-seat mainstage tent), individual donations (~CAD $45,000 in 2025 across online giving, event add-ons, and a $36,000 annual 50/50 raffle), and government and foundation grants that comprise the dominant share of receipts — $1,746,951 in 2025, up from $968,037 in 2023, plus a $349,629 grant from Prairies Economic Development Canada in April 2026. A minor retail/merchandise stream operates through an on-site gift shop. The 135,000 visitors recorded in 2025 and a 20-year site concept plan envisioning event capacity of 16,000+ indicate an organization in a sustained capital improvement and program expansion phase.

The Confluence is governed by an independent Board of Directors, led by President Jennifer Thompson (appointed February 2023), and staffed across visitor services, curation, Indigenous relations, and fund development. Strategic leadership includes Star Crop Eared Wolf as the first full-time curator in over two decades, Paula Smith as Indigenous Relations Manager, and Blair Cunningham as Indigenous Cultural Development Coordinator, reflecting an organizational mandate to center Indigenous voices and reconciliation through programming, a $1M Residential School Memorial commitment (The Wandering Spirit), and deep partnerships with seven Indigenous Nations, three levels of Canadian government, and major civic and cultural institutions including Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, the Calgary Folk Festival, and the University of Calgary.

Name

The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland

Legal name

The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland

Website

https://theconfluence.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1875

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland is a Calgary-based charitable not-for-profit operating a 42-acre National Historic Site at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers, delivering Indigenous-led exhibits, cultural programming, school field trips, and event venue services to 135,000 annual visitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Heritage Site and Museum

NAICS

Historical Sites (71212), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Heritage & Indigenous-Led Visitor Services (Tribal Tours, Heritage Sites, Co-management) (THAAAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access) (THAAAAAH), Indigenous & Community Cultural Institutions (THAJADAK), Historic Sites, Heritage Landmarks & Archaeological Sites (THAJACAC)

Keywords

• Historic site preservation
• Cultural center programming
• Indigenous heritage education
• Event venue rentals
• Community museum services

Headquarters

HQ city

Canada

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Admissions and Program Fees: Revenue from visitor admissions to the cultural centre and paid programs including workshops, tours, and special events. Admission prices vary and were reduced by 30% during the exhibit transformation period (Dec 2025 - Feb 2026).
2. Venue Rentals and Event Hosting: The site generates revenue by hosting third-party events and festivals including Country Thunder, SkijorDue, Block Heater, Brewery & The Beast, and private bookings. The venue offers indoor and outdoor spaces for events of various sizes.
3. Donations and Individual Giving: Individual donations through online and in-person giving, optional add-on donations at event registrations (over $3,000 since September 2024), and the Anneliese Weber Volunteer Program. In 2025, donations totaled approximately $8,700 from individual giving.
4. Government and Foundation Grants: Major funding from municipal (City of Calgary), provincial (Government of Alberta), and federal sources, plus arts and culture funders. In 2025, total grants and donations reached $1,746,951, up from $968,037 in 2023.
5. Retail and Merchandise: The site operates a gift shop offering merchandise to visitors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland is a charitable not-for-profit that operates a 42-acre National Historic Site at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers in downtown Calgary, providing cultural exhibits, guided tours, school programs, community festivals, Indigenous-led programming, and venue rental services. The site functions as a heritage destination, cultural center, and urban greenspace, offering paid admissions, workshops, private event hosting, and outdoor recreational space to local residents, tourists, school groups, and Indigenous communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kípaitápiiyssinnooni (Our Way of Life) Exhibit A 900-square-foot immersive permanent cultural exhibit rooted in Blackfoot ways of knowing, being, and belonging. Curated by Niitsitapi artist Star Crop Eared Wolf of the Kainai Nation, the first new permanent exhibit at the site in more than 20 years. Open to general visitors, school groups, and tourists.
• Holy Gathering Place (Naatowápitao'ohkánnao'p) A 1,000-square-foot accessible indoor space designed for Indigenous ceremony, cultural practice, and Indigenous-led programming. Operated in partnership with the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary and offered free of charge to Indigenous organizations and individuals for ceremony, cultural practice, and community programming.
• Guided Walking Tours and Experiences
• East End Cold Spell Winter Festival A multi-event winter festival series featuring Block Heater music festival (presented with Calgary Folk Music Festival), the S-No Chill EDM Festival, SkijorDue (presented with Skijor Canada), and the Vintage Night Market. The series targets festival-goers, young adults, and winter culture enthusiasts in Calgary.
• Summer Camps 2026 Annual summer camp programming for youth, offering hands-on historical, cultural, and outdoor experiences at the 42-acre historic site. Designed for children and youth registration during the summer season.
• School Programs and Field Trips
• Private Event Venue Rentals
• General Site Admission and Parkland Access
• Workshops and Special Programs
• The Confluence Garden
• Gift Shop and Retail Merchandise

Quantifiable outcome

• 135,000 visitors annually (2025)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership to operate the Holy Gathering Place (Naatowápitao'ohkánnao'p), a free indoor/outdoor space for Indigenous ceremony and cultural programming. MOU signed April 2024; grand opening January 2026. AFCC CEO Shane Gauthier noted the partnership creates a dignified, culturally safe home for Indigenous traditions downtown.
• Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Major partner and sponsor for East End Cold Spell winter festival. CMLC provides funding and programmatic partnership supporting events that bring East Village to life. Also collaborated on site concept planning.
• Calgary Folk Music FestivalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025Presented Block Heater at The Confluence in February 2026 as part of East End Cold Spell. 11th annual event featuring 25 musical acts on four stages for approximately 1,200 music lovers.
• Skijor CanadacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025Presented SkijorDue 2026, a horse-powered winter event featuring stunts, fondue, and western fashion. Drew over 9,000 attendees in 2025.
• S-No Chill EDM FestivalsecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025New EDM festival added to East End Cold Spell winter festival series, targeting young adult audience and filling weekend between Block Heater and SkijorDue events.
• East Village (CMLC)secondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025Presented Vintage Night Market to kick off East End Cold Spell, featuring local vendors and retro fashion supporting the festival series.
• Mount Royal UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Partnership to present Ani to Pisi human spiderweb enactment, a Blackfoot Creation story event. Students and community invited to participate in symbolic enactment emphasizing harmony and community.
• The Alex Community Food CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to operate The Confluence Garden, transforming how the community connects with land, food, and one another. The garden supports food education and community engagement.
• Woezo Africa Music & Dance Theatre Inc.secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner for the Black Excellence Film Series presenting films exploring Black Canadian experiences and history.
• ABC BeessecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner for Urban Beekeeping Workshops at The Confluence, with Eliese Watson from ABC Bees leading educational programming on beekeeping basics.
• Alpha HousesecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to provide dedicated outreach workers at The Confluence site as part of a public safety pilot project. Outreach workers operate on site eight hours daily to increase wellbeing and safety.
• University of CalgarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Partnership on The Confluence Symposium (October 2025) commemorating 150th anniversary of NWMP establishing Fort Calgary in 1875. Part of larger event series reflecting on impacts of colonialism.
• O2 Planning & DesigncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Lead consultant for the 20-year site concept plan, working with Hatlie Group and Reimagine Architects to develop a comprehensive vision for the 42-acre site.
• Hatlie GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Conducted dedicated Indigenous engagement sessions for the site concept plan. Founding partner Alexandra Hatcher noted consistent themes around representing truth and honouring land, water, language, and relationships.
• Reimagine ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Architecture firm collaborating on the site concept plan for The Confluence's 20-year development strategy.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Regional players

• Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity: Major Alberta cultural institution hosting festivals, residencies, and Indigenous programming. Comparable as an Alberta cultural venue and partner-tier destination for the same tourism and donor base.
• Calgary Zoo: Major Calgary attraction with comparable paid admissions, school programming, and event-hosting capacity. Competes for the same family and tourist segments and is located in the same city.

Broad incumbents

• Museum of Anthropology at UBC: University-affiliated museum with strong Indigenous collections, exhibits, and programming. Comparable as an institutional cultural and educational heritage site with reconciliation-focused content.
• Royal Alberta Museum: Provincial museum in Edmonton offering broad natural and human history exhibits including significant Indigenous collections. A larger incumbent serving the same Alberta cultural-tourism audience.

Direct peers

• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump: Alberta UNESCO World Heritage Site operated as a public historic attraction with Indigenous-led interpretive programming — the closest functional and thematic peer in the Indigenous heritage space.
• Fort Edmonton Park: Edmonton's living history museum with comparable admissions, school programming, and event-hosting model. Directly comparable as a Western Canadian urban heritage attraction.
• Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai'pi Provincial Park: Protected heritage site in southern Alberta featuring Indigenous rock art and guided tours — comparable as a heritage visitor experience with Indigenous co-stewardship elements.
• Heritage Park Historical Village: Calgary's largest living history attraction and a direct local peer operating a heritage site with paid admissions, school programs, and event hosting. Comparable in scale, visitor mix, and dependence on Calgary tourism.
• Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park: Indigenous-led historic site on Siksika Nation territory offering cultural experiences, museum exhibits, and event hosting. Directly comparable as a First Nations-operated heritage and cultural center in Alberta.
• Glenbow Museum (now Glenbow at the Calgary Folk Music Festival): Major Calgary museum and cultural institution with comparable audiences (general public, school groups), Indigenous art and history programming, and reliance on government and donor funding.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-confluence-yyc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland