Weadick - Indian Village

INDIAN VILLAGE
OUR HISTORY, OUR LEGACY
100 years of history
Welcome to the Calgary Stampede Indian Village!
First Nations of Treaty 7 have always been an important part of
the Calgary Stampede, beginning when Guy Weadick invited them
to camp at the Stampede in 1912. Weadick’s invitation played an
important role in preserving and promoting the traditions of the
Treaty 7 people. Laws limiting cultural practices meant that the
Stampede was one of few places that First Nations traditions could
be openly practiced among the tribes.
Today, the Stampede encourages members of the First Nations of
Treaty 7 to showcase and practice their traditional culture through
activities and events in the Village. Families from each of the five
Treaty 7 nations camp in the Indian Village during Stampede,
demonstrating their culture to the world through performances
and displays.
The Indian Village was located at the Sun Tree, near the northwest
corner of Stampede Park, for many years (at right, in 1959).
In the mid 1970’s, the Indian Village moved to its current location
at the south end of the grounds - a park-like area across the Elbow
River. As the Stampede expands, the Indian Village will move to
the northeast part of the Park, in two to three years.
The First Nations families identified in the text own all rights, title, interest, copyright and intellectual
property rights to the tipis designs, tipi information, regalia and beadwork designs in this brochure.
Any further reproduction or distribution is prohibited.
Treaty 7 Tribes in the Indian Village
The tipis in the Indian Village represent members from the five tribes
encompassed by Treaty 7, which was signed at Blackfoot Crossing in 1877.
1
Siksika (Blackfoot)
he Siksika reserve covers an area of 664 square kilometres. The economic
T
base of the reserve consists of farming, ranching, oil and gas, gravel, the Siksika
Resort and Golf Course, and tourism.
2Kainai (Blood)
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Tsuu T’ina (Sarcee)
The Tsuu T’ina reserve is approximately 820 square kilometers. An offshoot of
the Beaver people of northern Alberta, Tsuu T’ina are an Athapascan speaking
group. Before the establishment of their reserve, they spent considerable time
in the bushlands and foothills on the edge of the plains. At the treaty signing
in 1877, the Tsuu T’ina were reluctantly placed on a common reserve with the
Kainai and Siksika tribes. After much controversy, the Tsuu T’ina signed a new
treaty on June 27, 1883 and moved to their current location.
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ALBERTA
DRUMHELLER
CALGARY
BANFF
MORLEY
4
GLEICHEN
5
1
Stoney Nakoda
The Stoney Nakoda consists of three bands: Bearspaw, Chiniki and
Goodstoney. The establishment of a mission near Morley brought these
three bands closer together, to act as one group. Tourism and movie-making
play a large role in the economic base of the tribes, due to the reserve’s
scenic beauty and proximity to Banff National Park. Stoney people speak a
Souian dialect.
2
RED DEER
Piikani (Peigan)
The Piikani Nation comprises about 470 square kilometres. The Oldman River
and surrounding Porcupine Hills were favourite wintering areas and provided a
base from which to hunt buffalo, even when the herds were shrinking in size. The
Siksika, Kainai and Piikani tribes speak the same dialect of the Algonkian language.
Tribe: Tsuu T’ina
Clifford Big Plume first brought his tipi
to the Indian Village in 1977, the 100th
anniversary of the signing of Treaty 7.
This tipi design is an otter design. It was
transferred from Joe Cat Face, a Siksika
man, during Stampede that year.
JASPER
The Kainai reserve was established in 1883. The largest reserve in Canada, it
covers close to 2,000 square kilometres. The economic base of the reserve has
traditionally been agriculture, but in recent years, diversification into industry,
tourism and small business has taken place.
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Clifford and Vanora
Big Plume
MEDICINE HAT
LETHBRIDGE
3
CANADA
2
The colors represent day and night, yellow for day and black for night. The red
stripes represent the rainbow. The seven circles at the top represent stars. The
white circles at the bottom of this tipi design represent mountains.
Clifford remembers camping in the old Village with his grandmother when the
Stampede was only seven days long. He believes that the Stampede brings people
together. The family tries to teach their children how to prepare traditional food
and pick berries. They make beaded outfits, get dressed up and prepare their tipi
for visitors.
The Big Plume family credits the Stampede with helping to keep First Nations
culture alive. “That’s the important thing; they are giving us credit to be a part of
what we are.”
Theresa Big Plume
Tribe: Tsuu T’ina
This tipi design has been at the
Stampede since 1912, when it was
owned by Mary Bull Collar. The
design was passed on to Mary’s
daughter, Louise Big Plume, and
then to Louise’s daughter, Theresa.
Louise beaded many men’s and
women’s outfits, horse outfits and
vests during her long life. Theresa still has her great grandmother’s dress. The
dress is over 100 years old and is still worn today.
Theresa has been involved in the Tipi Inspection competition in the Village
as a judge. She is teaching her grandson the complexity of judging all the
beautiful and one-of-a-kind beaded outfits and other articles that families
bring to share with visitors.
Theresa remembers the old days when the horses were kept behind the tipis
in the old Village location at the Sun Tree. She enjoys teaching the tourists
about her culture, and visiting with many family members and visitors
during the Stampede.
USA
3
Tony and Frances
Starlight
Mike Meguinis Sr.
Steve and Gloria Runner
This tipi design was originally given
to Bessie Meguinis by her father,
Gagagee, and then to Mike’s father.
Mike Meguinis, who is now 90 years
old, received it in a traditional
transfer ceremony from his father.
This tipi design has been in the
Indian Village since the first Calgary
Stampede in 1912.
Tribe: Tsuu T’ina
Tribe: Tsuu T’ina
Tribe: Tsuu T’ina
Tony and Frances Starlight have
camped in the Village since 1999,
on the west end of the tipi circle.
Tony’s tipi design is the skunk
design. It is believed that the
smell of the skunk will keep
sickness and disease away from the camp. For this reason, the skunk
tipi should be on the west side of the camp so the wind will carry
the skunk smell over all of the camp.
To some First Nations people, the tipi poles are considered to be a
healing circle.
Tony feels that the meeting of the tipi poles at the top of the tipi
indicates the way to the Creator.
Tony and Frances have encouraged their children to dance in many
of the Village events and competitions.
4
Ellery and Nicole
Starlight
Tribe: Tsuu T’ina
Mike can remember moving into
the Village in the 1930s to help his grandparents. His mother used to use a
travois for the Stampede Parade. Although he was a small boy, he helped haul
tipi poles, put up the tipi and fetch horses for the Parade, sometimes getting
in the way.
The Meguinis family is proud to be able to display the late David Crowchild’s
fully beaded, white buckskin outfit when their tipi is open. The outfit was given
to David by his grandmothers and is now about 100 years old.
Mike, who dances in the Men’s Buckskin category, has seen the world through
his dancing. One of his grandchildren came to stay in the tipi when she was
only a few days old, sleeping in a traditional swing during Tipi Inspection. Mike
has now passed most of the work of running the tipi to his children.
Steve’s grandparents, Chief and
Maggie Big Belly, first brought this
tipi to the Stampede. The tipi design
was transferred to Steve’s father,
George Runner, in 1937.
Steve and Gloria Runner became tipi owners in 1994, when Steve received the
tipi design in a formal transfer ceremony from Steve’s father, George Runner.
In 2010, Steve transferred the design to his son, Shawn.
One of Steve’s favourite memories of the Calgary Stampede is riding horses
from his home on the Tsuu T’ina Reserve to Stampede Park. This trip took
two days.
Today, Steve enjoys friends visiting his tipi to talk about parents and elders. He
has many fond memories of early days at the Stampede.
The Starlight family has had a tipi
in the Village since 1972. This tipi,
with a horse design, was recently
transferred to Ellery from his
father, Bruce.
Bruce has organized many cross-cultural events. Deanna, his wife, has
been involved in developing various aspects of the Village, including the
Interpretive Program, the Children’s’ Day Parade, the Indian Princess
Program and the Bannock Booth. She also made the Council tipi in the
centre of the Village. The Starlight family brings six or seven horses to the
Stampede each year for use in the parades.
Many beaded outfits are on display in the Starlight tipi, as well as a very old
traditional woman’s saddle made of wood and bone, covered in buffalo skin,
which had a cushion covered in buffalo hide for comfort.
Ellery is carrying on the strong family traditions, and the tipi, where three
families can stay comfortably, becomes their home away from home during
the Stampede, and a place to visit with family and friends.
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Pow Wow
Pow Wow refers to a First Nations gathering at which there is
dancing. These social events may be used to celebrate, to honour
and sometimes as a competition to choose the best dancers.
Those taking part in the dances wear colourful regalia to match
the style of dance they prefer. Hand-made regalia may be handed
down from generation to generation; some outfits are very old.
Men’s Buckskin Dance
Men’s Traditional Dance
Grass Dance
The Men’s Buckskin Dance is one of the
original dances of the Blackfoot. Chiefs,
leaders and respected men who received
their feather headdresses through ritual
transfer were permitted to take part.
This is a slow dance. In times past,
everyone rose to their feet out of respect
for these dancers.
The Men’s Traditional Dance is one of
the oldest dances, tracing back to a time
when warriors would return to camp
and tell stories of war exploits and brave
deeds performed in battle. Dancers
wear one feather bustle, distinctive for
its eagle feathers.
Plains tribes used the Grass Dance to flatten
long grasses for a new camp. Dancers use
swaying, dipping and sliding motions, in
outfits fringed with ribbon or yarn.
Women’s Traditional Dance
Prairie Chicken
Hoop Dance
The Women’s Traditional Dance is
performed in either a buckskin or cloth
dress. It is a focussed and graceful, with
simple, elegant steps, from a time when
women stood outside of the dancing
area keeping time to the drums with
their feet.
Prairie Chicken dancers use intricate
body movements and steps, attempting
to copy the mating ritual of the prairie
chicken. This dance originated among the
tribes of the Blackfoot Nation. Dancers
wear one small feather bustle.
The Hoop Dance, performed solo by both
men and women, is a storytelling dance.
Outfitted in regalia similar to grass dancers,
these dancers use up to 30 hoops to create
shapes such as a globe and to portray
animals such as the eagle.
The Calgary Stampede Indian Village hosts an annual competition
Pow Wow that brings dancers from all over North America, as
well as from Treaty 7. The Pow Wow is organized and managed
by Tipi Owners.
Dancers require stamina to move rapidly
and continuously, adding hoops to create
more elaborate shapes.
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Men’s Fancy Dance
jingle dance
The Men’s Fancy Dance came from
early war and victory dances. The jumps,
twists and twirls make it a very fast and
strenuous dance, usually performed by
younger men. Dancing regalia is colourful,
and includes two brightly coloured
feather bustles.
The Jingle Dance is a healing dance
for women that originated with the
Ojibwe tribe. This energetic dance
requires intricate footwork. Dresses
are decorated with rows of small metal
cones that chime together with the
dancer’s movements.
Respect for the Flag
The Eagle Staff, far right, is traditionally carried by First Nations
as their flag. When the Eagle Staff is carried into an arena, the
Flag Song is sung, a sign of respect that requires those attending
to stand.
Flags for each of the five tribes of Treaty 7, the province of
Alberta and for Canada are raised and lowered each day, to the
sound of drumming and singing.
DRUMMING AND SINGING
8
woMen’s Fancy Dance
Tiny Tots
The Women’s Fancy Dance, also called
the Fancy Shawl or Butterfly Dance, has
been adopted from tribes inhabiting the
southwestern part of the United States.
Women in this energetic category dance
primarily on their toes, kicking high and
twirling into the air, with their beautifully
decorated shawls outstretched like the
wings of a butterfly.
Young children who are just learning to
dance, and babies carried onto the dance
floor are part of dance category known
as Tiny Tots. Parents encourage young
children to join in the dance to ensure the
next generation will carry on with pow
wow activity.
Drumming and singing are a very important part of all
First Nations social and ceremonial functions, considered the
heartbeat of all living and spiritual things connected to the people.
Songs play a big part in the life of First Nations people as they
grow from child to elder. They are used in healing ceremonies for
each tribe member. They are used to honour chiefs and people as
a whole, as well as for grand entry to pow wow. Songs also play a
role in defining certain rights that one member has earned, but
others don’t have. Specific songs, for example, go with ownership
of a particular tipi design.
tipi CONSTRUCTION
tipi DESIGN
Tipi construction begins with tying together tipi poles on the
ground. Stoney Nakoda use three poles; Blackfoot tie together
four poles, to represent the four directions. The poles are set
up in the spot the tipi will be constructed. Completing this step
correctly is a critical part of the process; the stability of the tipi
depends on it.
Each painted tipi design has its own unique story, best told by
the tipi owner. In general, the design of a tipi can be broken into
three sections.
All of the other tipi poles are laid against the upright construction,
spaced evenly. The tipi canvas is prepared on the ground, tied
to the last pole that will be set at the back of the tipi. When the
last pole is set up, the canvas is stretched around to the front of
the structure and pinned with hand-made wooden pins from
just above the doorway to where the tipi flaps begin. Two poles
are attached to the ear flaps of the tipi canvas to control air flow
and weather.
If bad weather is anticipated, a rope may extend from the centre
of the poles and be staked to the ground to anchor the tipi to
Mother Earth.
Larger wooden pegs are pounded into the ground around the
tipi to hold the canvas down through the elements. Finally, a
canvas door is tied into place.
Traditionally, tipis would be set up so their doors open to the
east, to greet the rising sun.
Top: The top section of the design reflects Father Heavens. In
this part, you may see circles on a dark background, representing
stars. Seven stars may represent the Big Dipper, for example. If
there are stripes right under the top section, they may represent
clouds or a rainbow.
Middle: The middle of the design represents the spirit world
and mythology of the people. Here you will find representations
of spiritual animals that are connected to the owner of the
tipi design.
Bottom: The bottom part of the design represents Mother
Earth. You may see a flat design, to represent prairies, a rounded
design to represent hills, or a triangular design, representing
mountains. There are often circles within these shapes. These
may represent boulders in the water or rocks.
Kelly and Daphne
Good Eagle
Tribe: Siksika
Daphne’s mother, the late Maggie
Black Kettle, began coming to the
Village in the 1930’s, soon after she
got married at the age of 17.
A team of four horses pulled an
extended wagon to carry the tipi,
tipi poles and everything needed to
camp at the Stampede.
In those days, it took two days by wagon to travel from the Siksika reserve to
Calgary. The family camped at Langdon Corner; then continued, arriving in
Calgary about noon on the second day.
When Maggie’s uncle, Ben Calf Robe, transferred this tipi design to her, he
said, “It’s about time you have a tipi for your own.” The buffalo tipi design has
been in the Village since 1984. Maggie transferred the design to her daughter
and son-in-law, Daphne and Kelly Good Eagle.
Traditionally, women prepare everything for the camp: beading, tipi pins and
pegs, head rests called kiskatsiists, horse outfits, dancing regalia, blankets, hides
such as buffalo, cow and deer. Men look after the horses.
Maggie was always proud to be part of the Village, saying, “My family is part
of the Calgary Stampede.”
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Ed and Marie Calf Robe
Tribe: Siksika
Stanford and Karen
Three Suns
Nora Ayoungman Sr.
Tribe: Siksika
Tribe: Siksika
Ben Calf Robe, Ed’s father, was one
of the original tipi owners at the 1912
Stampede. He was a scout, working
for the Northwest Mounted Police,
and was asked to go with his people,
to interpret for them.
The Calf Robe family have been
involved in every Stampede since.
Ed Calf Robe, Ben’s son, is proud to say that he has been part of Stampede
every year since his birth in 1939.
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When Guy Weadick came to
Siksika in 1912 to ask if some First
Nations people would like to camp
at the Stampede, the Three Suns
family became one of the first
Stampede tipi owners.
Stan remembers his grandmother
camping with Dick Bad Boy and later, with Dick Brass.
Tipi designs are sometimes hundreds of years old, drawn from culture and
passed down with songs and stories.
As a child, Stan always wanted to stay in the Village. He told his grandmother
that he wanted to stay with her for all of Stampede. Stan and Karen have had
their own tipi in the Village since 2001. Henry, Stan’s brother, had a tipi in the
Village from 1989 to 2000.
Ed feels the tipi owners in the Village are very proud of their tipi designs and
displays. He believes that the Stampede is the only place in the world now
that gathers First Nations to do this kind of demonstration and dance in a
place that draws people from all over the world. He thanks the Stampede for
this opportunity.
Blackfoot tipi designs stand out because they show more of the earthly
animals, such as otters and beavers, instead of the land. The design often
includes a life line, shown as a broken line that goes from the mouth to the
heart of the animal. Kidneys are shown as two spots. Stan’s tipi design follows
this style.
Ed has volunteered in many aspects of the Village, particularly in the Tipi
Inspection contest and as tribe rep for Siksika. He credits his wife Marie for
many years of hard work, preparing for each year’s Stampede.
Stan and Karen have been involved in many aspects of the Village. Stan
volunteers for a variety of events, including pow wow and the hand game.
Karen manages the Bannock Booth, and organizes set up in her tipi for
Tipi Inspection.
Leo and Maureena Pretty
Young man Jr.
Tribe: Siksika
The Ayoungman family has been
at the Stampede since the very
early days.
Arthur Ayoungman Sr. came to
the Stampede from his birth until
his passing at age 80. His wife Nora
remembers riding on a travois in
the Stampede Parade as a child.
Nora, who is 90, also recounts coming in by horse-drawn wagon from Siksika
with her parents the Waterchiefs, camping overnight on the way.
The Ayoungmans use either the deer design tipi, which has been transferred
down over many generations, or the Chief Crowfoot tipi. Crowfoot was
a signatory to Treaty 7 in 1877. The extended family members are keen to
maintain ceremonial and cultural traditions and are proud to share their
knowledge and exhibit their artifacts.
Many Ayoungman family members dance and sing at traditional events at
home and at contemporary pow wows, both at the Stampede and around
the globe. Daughters Vivian and Tina were Indian Princesses and took part in
many Calgary and Stampede events in their roles.
This tipi, yellow with the four elk
design, has been in the Village for many
years, originally belonging to Anthony
Pretty Young Man.
The story behind the tipi happened
east of the Siksika reserve, near George
Medicine Shield’s place. These events
were painted on the tipi.
Over the years, the design was given to Anthony’s son Leo, and in turn, to Leo
Jr., who has been a tipi owner in the Village since 1996. Anthony Pretty Young
Man’s original outfit is often displayed in this tipi. The hide it is made from is very
thick, it hasn’t turned brittle, despite its age.
The family works closely together to check all of their items before Stampede,
cut tipi poles and tripods and to prepare outfits. Maureena has made many
of her family’s outfits. Family members take part in parades, pow wow, horse
wrangling and other Village events.
When First Nations took over full responsibility for the competition pow wow
in 2007, Leo and Maureena were among the Siksika tipi owners to get involved.
They feel their involvement gives them a stronger voice.
Maureena loves to meet tourists when her tipi is open for inspection. “We get
to talk to different people, people from across the ocean. They are so amazed
at what we have and they tell us when they are looking at the outfits that it’s
unbelievable that we can sew with small beads and how long it takes.”
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Marie Bear Chief
Tribe: Siksika
This tipi design is an otter tipi,
which traces back to High Eagle,
brother to Crowfoot. Marie is
from the High Eagle Clan, which
included High Eagle, Iron Shield and
Crowfoot, all signatories to Treaty 7.
High Eagle had seven or eight tipi
designs; he was a wealthy man.
This tipi design was handed down to Marie’s grandfather, Anthony Pretty
Young Man, and then to her father Leo, who gave each of his children a tipi
from Anthony. She received the tipi design at the Sun Dance in 1980, in a
ceremony performed by Weasel Mocassin. Marie has now transferred the
design to her son Dwayne.
Marie has been in the Village since 1965. At first, she was with her grandmother
Crowchief. Later, she shared her late husband Nick’s tipi, which was a war
design. Nick Sr. was World Chicken Dance Champion at the Stampede. Her
grandfather Anthony was a Rodeo and chuck wagon race participant.
Marie has worked with the Bannock Booth, Arts and Crafts and the Indian
Princess Pageant. She made most of the Siksika tipis and does a lot of sewing
and beading. Marie was raised traditionally and is grateful to her grandmother
Crowchief and grandfather Anthony who taught her the traditional ways,
and the protocol of tipi life.
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Gerald and Laura
Sitting Eagle
Painted Tipis
This tipi is an otter tipi, which came
from Gerald’s great grandfather,
Piitaopi. It has been in the Village since
1977. Before that the Sitting Eagle
family camped with Ben Calf Robe,
Gerald’s uncle.
The designs on painted tipis reflect First Nations culture. Some
of the designs on the painted tipis in the Village are hundreds of
years old. They originate from dreams, visions after long fasting,
and accomplishments, or a combination of these things. The
person having the dream or vision would approach the elders of
the tribe and ask permission to paint the design on their tipi. If
the elders agreed, the design became the exclusive property of
that person and no one else could use it.
Tribe: Siksika
Gerald has been a volunteer for 30
years and served as chair of the Indian
Events committee in the 1990s.
Gerald and Laura are both champion dancers. The designs used on their beaded
outfits are very old, going back to Piitaopi. The vibrant greens and yellows reflect
the colours on the tipi design.
Gerald was the World Champion Chicken Dancer several times in the 1970s,
and was also a hoop dancer. He still dances, but also acts as emcee for pow
wows across North America. Laura, distinctive in her yellow and green beaded
buckskin dress and cape, wins regularly in the Ladies’ Buckskin category. Their
children and grandchildren are also champion dancers.
Horses are very important to this family, and they bring many to use for parades.
The children and grandchildren in this large family are respected by their parents
for their work in maintaining Siksika traditions.
Tipi designs are believed to secure protective power from
sickness and misfortune for their owners. They are not
automatically handed down from one generation to another.
Instead, the design is given to another person of the owner’s
choosing in a traditional transfer ceremony, conducted to
transfer the right to use the design. Gifts are offered to the
previous owner by the new owner.
Each painted tipi has its medicine bundle and songs that go with
the tipi, and specific rules that must be followed by the owner. If
a tipi is to be transferred to another owner, it will be transferred
at a specific time of year, appropriate to the design. For example,
a thunder tipi would be transferred when the first thunder is
heard in the spring, and a beaver tipi would be transferred when
the first grass is seen in the spring, when the beavers are opening
up their winter lodges.
In the old days, if a tipi became worn out, a new one, with the
same design, could take its place, but the owner must destroy
the original, sacrificing it to the Sun by spreading it upon a lake
and sinking it beneath the water.
First Nations people work hard to teach their young people
proper tipi protocol, along with the correct ways to conduct tipi
transfers and conduct other traditional ceremonies.
The Four Buffalo Hoof Tipi Design
Reg and Rose Crowshoe
Doris Many Guns
Deborah Bad Eagle
The Four Buffalo Hoof tipi design is owned by Reg Crowshoe,
of the Piikani First Nation.
Reg owns several tipi designs, but
usually uses the four buffalo hoof
design at the Stampede.
Doris first came to the Stampede in
the late 1970s as a guest of another
tipi owner. She became a tipi owner
in 1981 and has participated in this
capacity since then.
Deborah is the fifth generation of the
Bad Eagle family to participate in the
Stampede. She feels that participation
is a life-time commitment, and looks
forward to moving to the Indian Village
every July.
Creator gave the Blackfoot Piikani laws through the buffalo.
Those laws are documented on the design, to tell you when
you can hunt buffalo in great numbers. The blue represents the
morning star in the back of the tipi, with the buffalo tail in the
centre. The design reflects an oral validation of dreams and songs
that was a part of responsibilities given to the owner from the
above people.
In Blackfoot oral history, the buffalo hoof design has always been
with the Blackfoot people. Piikani winter counts are documented
histories through pictographs. The buffalo hoof tipi has been
documented on Piikani winter counts and oral histories well
before the 1550s AD.
Clark Wissler photographed the buffalo hoof tipi at a treaty
signing in Montana around 1879. The buffalo hoof tipi was also
photographed at the 1912 Stampede Indian Village.
Protocol for the four buffalo hoof tipi sets the expectation that
wood cannot be chopped in the tipi.
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Tribe: Piikani
Reg’s father and grandfather lived
in southwestern Alberta all their
lives. His mother came to the
Waterton Lakes area with the
famous Chief Joseph of the Nez
Perce, from Idaho, USA.
Reg recalls his family preparing to make the journey to the Stampede when
he was young. He remembers a major flood during Stampede in the 1960’s
that forced them to move to another building and ruined many beautiful
buckskin outfits and saddles.
One of Reg’s favourite activities in the Village is the Interpretive Program
that he was instrumental in establishing. He feels that if the young people are
trained to talk to other cultures about their own traditional native ways, they
will learn the traditions better.
Reg has served as chair of the Indian Events committee. Reg and Rose have
continued the practice of camping at the Indian Village since 1912, following
in the footsteps of their families and relatives. They are very proud that their
granddaughter Amelia was chosen as the Calgary Stampede Centennial
Indian Princess.
Tribe: Piikani
During these early years, Doris
received a great deal of support
and guidance from other tipi
owners; she is very grateful for this
help. She enjoys meeting old friends every year at the Village, but she misses
and feels bad for those elders who have passed on.
Her daughter, Delores, now does most of the work in the operation of the
tipi, with guidance from Doris. Delores enjoys the pow wow and meeting
new friends every year.
Doris loves the native hand game and teamed with the late Earl Healy for
several years.
Tribe: Piikani
Deborah’s parents camped with her
grandparents, Susan and Pat Bad Eagle
Sr. (known as Bird Caller), in the original
Village by the Stampede Corral.
Deborah learned traditional ways from her parents, Eddy and Ruth Bad Eagle.
She feels that the Stampede plays a very important part in preserving First Nations
culture by offering an opportunity to practice old ways and traditions. She also
believes the tipi circle at the Stampede is the strongest circle she’s ever known.
Eddy and Ruth became tipi owners in 1978. Ownership of the otter tipi design
was transferred to Deborah in 2002, in a traditional, oral ceremony. Deborah’s
brothers help her with the tipi during the Calgary Stampede.
Doris’ favorite activity in the Indian Village is the pow wow. Before she retired
from dancing, Doris danced in the Ladies’ Traditional category. Now she
enjoys watching others dance.
Deborah enjoys seeing old friends and meeting new friends at the Stampede every
year. Her favourite activity at the Stampede is the main Parade on opening day.
She has fond memories of watching the Indian relay race and the buffalo ride
when these events were part of the Stampede Rodeo.
She participated in the Opening Ceremonies at the 1988 Olympic Winter
Games in Calgary and enjoyed the experience very much.
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Calgary Stampede Indian Princess
Alison Healy
Harold and Jean Healy
The Indian Princess program began in 1965, when Gloria
Littlelight was chosen as the Indian Village Princess for the year.
The title changed from Indian Village Princess to the Calgary
Stampede Indian Princess in 2003.
Alison’s late husband, Earl, attended
the Stampede with other tipi owners
for a few years before becoming a
tipi owner himself in 1985.
Part of the Official Stampede Royalty program since 2009, the
Indian Princess will make over 350 appearances during her reign,
educating those she meets about the rich, colorful First Nations
culture. She embraces the historic legacy of the Stampede
Indian Princess title and will wear the crown with honour as she
represents the five tribes of Treaty 7, the Indian Village and the
Calgary Stampede.
Alison enjoyed attending the Stampede
very much as a child and has many
fond memories. Her favourite part of
the Rodeo was the native Buffalo Ride,
until it was discontinued.
Harold and Jean first erected their
tipi in the Indian Village in 1983
and have been active participants
ever since. They are very strong
supporters of the Indian Events
committee and help whenever
they are able. Harold received his
otter tipi design from his mother.
Every year, the Calgary Stampede Indian Events committee
selects a young woman from one of the five tribes of Treaty 7
(Tsuu T’ina, Piikani, Stoney, Kainai and Siksika Nations) to act as
the official representative of the Calgary Stampede and Indian
Village presented by Penn West Exploration. This annual pageant
includes judging on public speaking, knowledge of culture,
knowledge of native language, a dance presentation and
horsemanship.
The Calgary Stampede Centennial Indian Princess is Amelia
Crowshoe (right). Her Blackfoot name is Misimmemonisakii, or
Long Time Otter Woman.
Tribe: Kainai
Alison enjoys the agreement and unity she finds in working with other
volunteers. She has worked on the Tipi Inspection contest for several years.
She enjoys watching and participating in the hand game, especially when
competing against non-native members of the Indian Events committee.
Alison begins preparing for the Stampede in late February or early March
every year. She feels it is very important to teach the native culture to young
people, so they can continue to preserve it.
Earl Healy was a well-known traditional dancer at pow wows. Alison can
often be found dancing in the Ladies’ Buckskin category.
Several years ago Alison was part of a Calgary Stampede visit to Hong Kong
where she participated in Chinese New Year celebrations.
Tribe: Kainai
This design was owned by Harold’s ancestors for many, many years before it
was transferred to him in a traditional ceremony. This tipi design was originally
received at a place called Round Lake.
One of the highlights for Harold and Jean is returning to the Calgary Stampede
every year to renew contacts with friends they haven’t seen for almost a year.
They enjoy camping in the Village, making new friends, and especially enjoy
visits from their grandchildren.
They were both champion dancers many times at the Stampede pow wow,
and have travelled to Australia and many countries in Europe promoting the
Calgary Stampede. They are hoping that one of their children will take over
the tipi in the near future.
For many years, Harold and Jean have been very involved in cultural and
spiritual activities and Harold has been a tireless worker for the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, K Division.
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Historic Events
Current Events
Hide Races
Tipi Inspection
Older tipi owners remember the Hide Races, which were a part of
the afternoon Rodeo for many years. Horses stood in a row, each
with a large piece of hide tied behind them. One First Nations
person rode the horse; another sat on the hide and held on while
the horses raced each other. Sometimes those on the hides flew off.
Tipi Owners compete with each other, welcoming the general
public into their tipis on assigned days. They dress their tipi to
showcase traditional First Nations life, displaying the family’s
outfits, artifacts and hides. Tipis are judged on the quantity and
quality of the items they display.
Buffalo Ride
Meat Cutting
The Buffalo Ride was a popular event at the afternoon Rodeo for
several years. Young First Nations men from the Village, dressed
in regalia, climbed onto waiting buffalo. The buffalo were all
released into the infield at the same time.
Competitors use extremely sharp knives to slice flank steak into very
thin strips suitable for traditional meat drying. Men and women
compete in several categories to hand cut the meat they are given
into the thinnest, most evenly cut pieces, without holes or tears.
Tipi Raising
Teams in the tipi raising contest compete with each other to
raise small tipis quickly, take them down again and put all of the
components away properly. While timing is a factor, teams are
also judged on whether their tipi has been properly raised to
withstand the judges’ scrutiny.
Native Storytelling
Tipi Owners take turns sharing traditional legends, and personal
or family histories with others in the Council Tipi. Visitors are
provided with an opportunity to learn the history of the families
and of Treaty 7, and to discover the oral culture of First Nations.
Hand Games
TRIBE DAYS
Two groups of people sit across from each other, competing to hide
bones or sticks among the group and to guess where the other
team has hidden them. Hand drumming accompanies the action.
Tribe Days provides each tribe with the opportunity to share part
of their culture with the public on a specific day. Demonstrations
include: dancing, storytelling, meat cutting, beadwork and other
traditions, on or around the Village stage.
Interpretive Program
The Interpretive Program brings a personal touch to the Indian
Village experience. Easily identified by their red vests, interpreters
tour visitors around the Village and answer questions. As proud
members of Treaty 7, they are happy to share their knowledge of
the cultures and heritage of the five nations camped in the Village,
the significance of the painted tipis, and the skills required to
produce the traditional items being prepared by demonstrators in
the Council Tipi.
The interpreters also demonstrate traditional outdoor cooking
and offer a taste of traditional foods to all visitors. They are well
versed in the activities of the Village, and take pride in answering
questions about the dances performed on the Village stage.
PARADES
First Nations take part in both the Stampede Parade and in daily
parades. Men and women on horseback, along with dancers
representing different styles, join the festivities in downtown
Calgary in their colourful regalia. First Nations drummers and
singers provide music, bringing the songs of the drum to life.
Duane Mark
Tribe: Stoney Nakoda
Beatrice Poucette
(Mark Poucette)
Eddie Holloway
(Marilyn Holloway)
Georgie Chiniquay
(Shirley Wesley)
Beatrice has been coming to
the Stampede since she was a
teenager in the 1930s, when her
family camped with her uncle,
Tom Kaquitts.
Eddie Holloway received his tipi
from his father-in-law, Alec Baptiste.
Georgie and her father Isaiah Rider
took over the family tipi when
Georgie’s grandfather passed on
in 1960.
Tribe: Stoney Nakoda
The Mark family can trace their
participation in the Calgary Stampede
beginning in 1929, when Jacob
Twoyoungman brought his tipi to the
Indian Village.
At first, the family travelled from
the Stoney reserve to Calgary with a
combination of horse and wagon and
on a CPR train. Jacob’s descendents still wear his original white buckskin outfit
for Stampede events; the beading has a blue background with
geometric designs.
John and Georgie Mark became tipi holders in the Village in 1977, taking the
place of John’s kin, Alvin Twoyoungman. John participated in the Stampede
Rodeo in his younger years, in bull riding. The Marks asked their son, Duane, to
take responsibility for the tipi in 2007.
The Mark family sees their involvement in the Village as a way to honour
their First Nations traditions and as a way to help educate others. Duane’s
involvement in the Stampede pow wow reflects that commitment.
After many years, she took over her
uncle’s spot with her own tipi. She is
now 94 years old.
The Poucette family is involved in many of the Village activities, especially
the pow wow, with many of the young people winning championships in all
categories. Beatrice herself has competed in and judged the meat cutting
competition. Her daughter Annie is a beader and makes outfits for her whole
family. Annie’s husband, Bill, was a buffalo rider long ago, and remembers
participating in the hide race at the Rodeo. More recently he has worked as a
wrangler for the Village.
Beatrice’s son, Mark, is a drummer and helps organize the pow wow. Beatrice’s
late son, Frank, was a champion fancy dancer who did his own beadwork.
Beatrice remembers coming by wagon to the Stampede bringing the tipi
and poles, plus all their gear, and camping at Jumping Pound on the way.
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Tribe: Stoney Nakoda
The family has been part of the
Indian Village for about 40 years,
beginning with Eddie’s father-inlaw, when the Village was at the
Sun Tree.
Eddie remembers coming from Morley to Calgary by horse and wagon.
Although the journey started early in the morning, before the sun came up,
it took two days and required an overnight camp along the way. He earned
Stampede Rodeo buckles when he was younger, competing in calf roping
and taking second place. His son, Eddie Jr., was a champion buffalo rider in
1971 and 1972.
The two eagles on the Holloway tipi were specially commissioned, to ensure
careful painting.
Tribe: Stoney Nakoda
When Georgie married Mac
Chiniquay, her father asked them
to take over the tipi and they used
her grandfather’s original tipi design. Georgie still has the original tipi, but has
made a copy that the family uses today.
Georgie has a photo of herself being carried on her grandmother’s back at
the Calgary Stampede.
Georgie has competed in and judged the meat cutting competition.
Her late husband, Mac, rode bareback horses and was a steer rider when
he was younger.
The oldest outfit on display in the Holloway tipi is about 100 years old. This green
women’s outfit belonged to Eddie’s late mother-in-law who used it to dance.
Eddie has participated in many Village events, and helped out with pow wow
and flag raising.
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Mark Family (Faye)
David and Lorna Bearspaw
Keith and Anne Lefthand
The Poucette Family
Wilf and Lorna Mark began
camping at the old Village at the
Sun Tree in 1960.
John Bearspaw, David’s father, came
to the Stampede in the very early days.
John participated in the Rodeo in
those days.
The Lefthand family speaks their
mother tongue, a Siouan language,
and are keen to carry on the traditions
learned from their respected father
and grandfather, John Lefthand. John,
whose traditional name was Spotted
Rock, camped at the Stampede from
the early days.
The Poucette family first came
to the Stampede in the 1940s.
Christine and the late Felix Poucette
became tipi holders in 1973, taking
the place of Paul Francis. Christine
remembers a major rainfall in 1942
or 1943 that left many possessions
floating around in the Village.
Tribe: Stoney Nakoda
The triangles on the bottom of this
tipi design represent the mountains
where the family lives. The blue
above is for the sky; the circles on
the flaps are the sun, moon and stars.
Wilf Mark had curly hair like the buffalo and his Indian name reflected this.
Lorna’s traditional name was Ram Woman. Wilf’s great grandfather’s name
included the wolf, so when it came to creating a tipi design, these symbols
were incorporated. When a new canvas was needed they would choose one
of the three symbols to reflect family names.
Wilf went to Quebec to represent the Stampede at the Grey Cup. He
also had a family dance group who performed frequently in Banff for
organizations like the Canadian Bar Association.
Lorna taught Faye to sew and bead, using small beads.
Wilf was the Stoney tribe representative on the Indian Events committee
from 1967 until his passing in 1989. Faye and the late Victoria Mark came to
the Village to help Lorna after Wilf’s passing.
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Tribe: Stoney Nakoda
The Bearspaw family is very traditional.
They always pray to the Creator when
they have finished putting up their tipi.
David came to the Stampede with his parents starting in the 1960’s when the
First Nations camped at the Sun Tree, near the Corral. He helped them with their
tipi, and in 1978, when John was elderly, he asked David to take over the tipi.
David remembers the hide races and Indian relay races at the Rodeo, and won
the steer riding competition once. He has been active in the Village, helping
organize events such as flag raising and competing in the Men’s Traditional
category at the pow wow. David Sr. has been a councillor for his band.
David Bearspaw Jr., David’s son, helps with the tipi, as do the daughters and
grandchildren of the family. There are many dancers from this tipi who
participate in the pow wow and bring home trophies.
Tribe: Stoney Nakoda
John lived on the Eden Valley Reserve south of Calgary, and was an all round
professional cowboy, participating in calf roping and bronc roping, and winning
events like the Wild Cow Milking several times in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s.
John went to Australia with a group of cowboys to represent the Stampede in 1939.
After John’s passing in 1997, his son Keith and his daughter Bonita (Anne) took
over the tipi. They both bring their children and grandchildren to participate
in the Stampede. Keith is a councillor for the Bearspaw band. Anne has
volunteered in the Village over the years, taking First Nations dancers and elders
to participate at the Rodeo.
Keith, who has been coming to the Stampede since he was born in 1962, vividly
remembers being bucked off a horse in the middle of the Stampede Parade
while riding double behind a relative.
A nephew of John Lefthand now drums in pow wows using his uncle’s name of
Spotted Rock.
Tribe: Stoney Nakoda
Christine played in the Indian Marching Band in 1943, and loved entertaining
visitors to the Stampede. Two of her favourite activities were tanning hides
and making dried meat.
Felix, her late husband, was a very good hunter who was also a wrangler and
trained wild horses. Felix treasured his regalia, which had originally belonged
to his grandfather. This colourful regalia took first place in a Stampede
competition. The family continues to use the same design and colours today.
Felix spent considerable time in England entertaining crowds and even
danced at Buckingham Palace. He participated in the Opening Ceremonies of
the 1988 Olympics in Calgary. He was a council member for the Wesley Band
of the Stoney First Nation.
In 2008 Christine asked their son, Marvin Big Stoney, to take responsibility for
the tipi.
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Indian Village presented by:
Photo Credits: Cover, photo by Fred Saunders
Inside front cover, bottom left, photo courtesy of Ron Hall
Page 1, all other B &W photos courtesy of the Calgary Stampede
Page 18 photo by Ted Dawson. All other photos by Carol Guay
Compiled by Indian Events Committee volunteers
Carol Guay, Liz Forseth and Fred Saunders
on behalf of the Calgary Stampede Indian Village.