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By Windspeaker.com staff
With files from Jeremy Harpe, CFWE-FM
Lowa Beebe, chair of the Indian events committee for the Calgary Stampede, spoke to Jeremy Harpe of CFWE-FM about what to expect from this year’s festival and activities in the Indian Village.
She says it is the second year in a new location for the Indian Village with 40 programs that run each day, including traditional games.
There is also a daily powwow and a competition powwow is scheduled for next week.
Interpreters are on site to take people around the encampment.
There will also be performances in the rodeo, with youth dancers appearing with the show bands.
Indian relay races are scheduled for next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, just before the grand stand show.
This year, the committee has increased the programming throughout the Calgary Stampede. The Treaty7 chiefs were the parade marshals this morning.
On tribe days at the village, each of the Treaty 7 nations will have a day specifically devoted to them to showcase their people and performers.
There is an expanded Bannock Booth on the site this year. It’s a very popular stop for many, with sales on a single day last year hitting a record 7,000 units sold. Expect long lines.
“Our Treaty 7 nations have had this relationship going back to 1912, and I really like that we are doing this and it’s done our way, so the tipi owners’ way, and they’re the same families that have been there since 1905. And we get to showcase to the entire world,” said Beebe.
“When people come to the Indian Village, especially from overseas in different countries, they really see the way we did live. A lot of them still think we live that way.” But a visit to the Village allows people to see Indigenous people in a modern way, but still practicing the culture, tradition, customs and protocols.
“Through the 10 days, there are ceremonies, and people are living there.”
Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, will participate in the opening of the Indian Village at the Calgary Stampede, located at Enmax Park today at 3:45 p.m.