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AAWC History

AAWC was founded in the early 1990’s (while not officially titled so at the time) to raise cultural awareness within the City of Calgary and to celebrate contemporary achievements of Indigenous people in Canada. Its development would not have been possible without so many dedicated volunteers.

Designed to raise cultural awareness within the city of Calgary and to celebrate contemporary achievements of Indigenous people in Canada, Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary has developed into what it is today through the dedication and commitment of its volunteers.

The AAWC Celebrations are organized and implemented by a Steering Committee officially established in 2011. The Steering Committee, now known as the “Circle” has been comprised of individuals from the following organizations within the City over the years:

  • Alberta Health Services
  • Awo Taan Healing Lodge
  • Boys and Girls Club Calgary
  • Calgary Foundation
  • Calgary Public Library
  • Canadian Red Cross
  • Circle of Supports
  • ConocoPhillips
  • Moonstone Creations
  • Native Counselling Services of Alberta
  • Pathways Community Services Association
  • Royal Bank of Canada – Royal Eagles
  • SAIT
  • YMCA
  • Office of the Child and Youth Advocate
  • And many others…..

The AAWC encourages agencies within Calgary to organize and develop their own events during the week of June 21st.  The AAWC is also responsible for developing and distributing a relevant Calendar of Events, and will promote all local events during the week of June 21st on this calendar.

It is the goal of the AAWC to have an AAWC-led event for every day of Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary.  With the continued commitment of the Circle and the community, we will soon reach this goal of having a week filled with celebratory cultural events.

Testimonials

“To me, ‘Keeping the Circle Strong’, means to be welcoming and bringing community together. We live in a diverse city, where there are so many different cultures of people, and these people want to learn from the Original People. We welcome all walks of life to come and share our culture, our teachings, and to pass on this knowledge to our future generations.”
Amy Willier, Moonstone Creations Gallery
“We are born with love. We learn fear. Our purpose in life is to unlearn fear and relearn love.”
Camille Pablo Russell, Local Niitsitapi Elder
“For me, the theme, ‘Keeping the Circle Strong’ symbolizes community. Among all the challenges and adversity that Aboriginal People have to deal with, it is events such as AAWC that help strengthen young people so that we can continue to have strong generations of Aboriginal communities as we move ahead!”
Tim Fox, Former Co-Chair of AAWC, Calgary Foundation
“Aboriginal Awareness Week has so much importance to this community; it helps celebrate the past, present, and future of Aboriginal peoples’ contributions to the whole of Canada. It helps to tell and celebrate our songs and dances that have been in existence for thousands of years and to acknowledge all of the present accomplishments of the Aboriginal people of Calgary. To tell the stories that include our history; the good and the bad, to educate Canadian newcomers about who we are and what we do as Aboriginal people in this community.”
Adrian Goulet, Former AAWC Chair, Pathways

June 15 -21, 2026

“Water is Life. We are all Stewards of the Water.”

June 21, 2026, (Sunday)
Family Day & Powwow
Handgames Tournament
Indigenous Idol
at
Elbow River Camp, Enmax Park
Calgary Stampede

June 21, 2026, (Sunday)
National Indigenous Peoples Day

Community Events…

Submit your event…

Thank you 2026 Sponsors & Partners

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