On June 21, 2026 an Indigenous Peoples Gathering Space officially opened at Willow River Park, also known as Victoria Park, in Kitchener. The new ceremonial fire space will be a dedicated space for Indigenous organizations to come together for ceremonies, sacred fires and traditional wellness practices.
“The City has been consulting with local Indigenous groups to identify Indigenous placemaking opportunities within Victoria Park since 2020. Through that consultation, the City committed to the installation of a gathering space represented by a ceremonial fire location,” the City of Kitchener said in a press release.
The design of the space was led by Bangishimo and Amy Smoke, co-directors of Willow River Centre, and is based on the Indigenous Thirteen Moons and Turtle teachings. Bangishimo said the idea to build an official Gathering Space began back in 2020 at the height of Land Back Camp as a way to reclaim outdoor space.
“We lit a fire in the middle of the park and it burned for the whole division of the camp, and then when we left, we filled up the hole with sacred medicines and cement, and it became our makeshift space for the last six years,” they said.
Ever since, Bangishimo and Smoke have been working with the City of Kitchener to build an official space,a key aspect being that the space is outside.
“Everything we do includes fire—whether it be our feast or we’re grieving someone, or we’re celebrating something, a chapter in our lives, an accomplishment in our lives. It always has to do with fire and fire has always been a place that brings us together,” Bangishimo said.
With the creation of the Gathering Space, Bangishimo said that the space is the final of four original demands that have been met by the city. The first being the ability for Indigenous groups to gather in a regional space for free.
“Before that, we would have to watch our own community members post fundraisers online just to pay the $500 fee to have a community gathering in the pavilion. We were like, why are we having to pay to gather on our own lands?” Bangishimo said.
The three are: the ability for any Indigenous group to gather in any regional space for free, a community centre and the third being that more Indigenous, racialized folks be hired at all levels as well as the creation of municipal advisory committees.
Bangishimo and Smoke were excited for the official opening of the ceremonial fire space to take place in June, which is also both Pride month and National Indigenous History month.
On the morning of the ceremonial opening of the space, tea and bannock were served. Skye Smoke gave opening words, followed by local Mohawk Elder, Totah Rhea, who also gave opening remarks.
“It [was] a day for community to come together as usual, around the fire and just enjoy each other’s company, make some new friends and eat some delicious food,” Bangishimo said.
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