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Calgary Stampede's Indian Village

Broadcast Date: July 26, 1975

Native participation has been an essential part of the Calgary Stampede right from the start. One of the most popular attractions is Indian Village, a mock native camp set up on the Stampede grounds. Each year members of Treaty Seven Nations camp out on the Stampede grounds for the full duration of the event.

This year 26 colourful teepees make up the village as natives representing Stoney, Blackfoot and Sarcee tribes open up their lives to visitors. They are on duty 24 hours a day, which can lead to a lot of pressure, one man tells CBC Radio. "The people come in… they wanna take pictures, you gotta put your buckskin outfits on and pose outside. It's noisy and it's hectic... but once you taste a bit of Calgary, you wanna come back again."

And for many of them it's an opportunity to make some extra money. One native man tells CBC Radio how Stampede organizers pay $250 for each teepee and hand out daily rations of meat and bread.

Calgary Stampede's Indian Village

• The Indian Village continues to represent Indians from the Treaty 7 Nations, made up of five different southern Alberta tribes. The Treaty 7 Nations includes:
- Kainaiwa (Blood) Nation
- Piikani (Peigan) Nation
- Siksika Nation
- Stoney (Bearspaw, Chiniki, Wesley) Nation
- Tsuu T'ina Nation

• Each year an Indian Princess is crowned (2003). The girls are judged for their proficiency in native language, native dancing and public speaking as well as beauty.

Calgary Stampede's Indian Village

Medium: Radio

Program: Our Native Land

Broadcast Date: July 26, 1975

Guest(s): Ben Calfrobe, Frank One Spot

Host: Lloyd Henderson, Beth Paul

Duration: 4:42

Photo: Nick Thompson from Flickr Creative Commons.

Last updated:
March 7, 2011