Southern First Nations proud carriers of Stampede history

Kainai Elder Harold Healy, decked out in a new red Wrangler shirt with white stitching heralding the Stampede’s Centenary, has seen many changes for the Calgary Stampede.

Healy, 86, a former steer rider and calf roper, feels that some aspects of the rodeo should return. “It’s not the same . . . no wild cow milking, wild horse race or buffalo riding,” he complained.
He has also noticed changes in the Indian Village.

In the 1960s, “there was just dancing contests and hand games,” said Healy. Over time, there have been additions, such as the Village Princess, tipi raising, cooking demonstrations, ring and pin, hoop and pin, craft sales, a bannock booth, and ‘open’ tipis for visitors.

Healy is concerned that when the village moves to a new site in 2015 it may become “too isolated (and) not as many visitors will go there.”

The 18-acre Riverfront Park will devote almost five acres for the village, one more acre than the existing site. The activity area will be nine acres, allowing for a permanent stage, arbour and a building with washrooms, meeting and change rooms, and a bannock booth, along with other venues.

“It will provide better services and amenities,” said Stampede spokesman Warren Connell.

Blackfoot Elder Ed Calf Robe, 74, beamed with pride as he related how his dad, born in 1890, was part of the first Stampede in 1912 after founder Guy Weadick “asked him and others to come dance at the first Stampede. He had to get special permission to go off the reserve.” Ed has been a village resident since he was a baby and took up his father’s tipi when the elder Calf Robe passed away in the 1940s.

Calf Robe’s father is the late and revered Ben Calf Robe after whom a school and powwow are named.

Today, some owners pass their tipis on before they get too old, something Calf Robe is considering but none of his three sons “are quite ready yet . . . all have good jobs.” He is thankful the stampede helps “promote our entertainment and culture. We lost lot of it to residential schools.”

Tipi owner Duane Mark, from Morley, has attended since he was “tiny.” He recalled that only the chicken, traditional and buckskin dances were held in the early days. Now the fancy, jingle, grass and hoop dances all take place.

Donna Weasel Child, who was the village’s second princess (1966), has served on the Indian Events Committee, in charge of traditional games.

“You had to participate in dancing, ride horseback, live in the Village and own a buckskin outfit,” recalled Weasel Child of the early days as princess contender. Judged by Elders from the five tribes and a board member, princess hopefuls were grilled on their “language, culture, history and protocols.”

For her, it is a memory that will forever stick in her mind, along with being around for the Centenary.

Alberta’s five southern First Nations are proud carriers of Calgary Stampede history.