This phrase is commonly used to mean “to become defensive” or “to confer only with people within a trusted group.” Be aware that some Indigenous people and others find the phrase offensive because it hearkens back to a brutal era of North American colonialism. The phrase refers to the practice by Conestoga wagons to form a circular defensive position to fend off attacks by Indigenous people.
In 2017 the Calgary Circle the Wagons Festival changed its name to Circle – The Traveling Food, Beer & Music Carnival in response to complaints from community members offended by the name.
