The concourse on the south side of the Montrose Cultural Centre is open. Mamawe is directly outside the south entrance to the building. The open space design is meant for year-round cultural events. It also has benches, plants and will be the home of the future City’s Cultural Community Garden.
The space is named Mamawe which means “gathering place” in Woodland Cree. It is meant to recognize the respect for present and future indigenous members of the community. It was originally going to be calld Mamowepiyah ota. At a city council meeting June 26th, 2017, it was decided that a shorter version would make it easier for the public to pronounce which prompted the name Mamawe.
An official opening ceremony will be held on Friday, September 29th. IT will have speakers, traditional prayer, smudging ceremony, multicultural performances and a BBQ. This event will kick off Alberta Culture days and three days of free events at the Montrose Cultural Centre. The opening event will be held at the Mamawe Concourse from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.