Installed along the Jack & Jean Leslie RiverWalk, Kitao’wahsinnooni: What Sustains Us by Calgary artist Alex Kwong is the sixth temporary installation commissioned through Calgary Municipal Land Corporation’s (CMLC) Art in the Public Realm program. Unveiled in 2025 and on display until 2028, the portrait series was developed through an extensive engagement process with individuals whose lives are deeply connected to the Bow and Elbow Rivers.
Gifted its name by Blackfoot Elder Rod Scout, Kitao’wahsinnooni translates to “what sustains us.” Through six large-scale murals, Kwong weaves together stories of culture, memory, healing, stewardship and belonging. Rendered in his signature style of vivid realism softened by fluid, watercolour-like movement, the portraits invite viewers to reflect on the enduring connections between people, land, water and community, and the many ways the river sustains life in Calgary.