The Greatest outdoor Show on earth, the Calgary Stampede returns July 7-16, 2023
Along with the stampede, makes the return of the popular Elbow River Camp.
The camp traces its origins back to the first Stampede in 1912. Founder Guy Weadick wanted to include the dances and ceremonies of First Nations people alongside the western rodeos and agricultural fairs practiced by European settlers.
Over the decades, teepee owners set up camp and practiced their ceremonies within a designated area at Stampede for onlookers curious to learn more about the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai, Tsuut’ina, and Stoney Nakoda First Nations.
In black-and-white photographs of Stampedes past, Chiefs of Treaty 7 can be seen riding through the streets of downtown Calgary in full traditional regalia: buckskin jackets and head dresses.
Present day Elbow River camp is full of energy, activities and history, with traditional hand games played for audiences, meat-cutting competitions, storytelling and performances in shining Indigenous regalia.
As a bonus, every year a line of Indigenous vendors & artists set up their beadwork, paintings, clothing and other artwork to sell to guests from all backgrounds.
There is also lineups for the Bannock booth.
Coreen Onespot-Rider of the Tsuut’ina Nation has been attending Stampede since she was a little girl. She said the ability to practise and showcase their culture has been hugely important in preserving their traditions.
“Over the years, we’ve had so much trauma in our communities,” she explained. “And this is the reason why we appreciate Stampede, because though we’ve gone through these traumas … we get to Stampede, we get to be who we really are.”
“Demonstrating Indigenous culture is incredibly important to show younger generations of Treaty 7 nations their culture”, Onespot-Rider said. “But it also serves to teach others from Canada — or visitors from abroad — about First Nations cultures”
The Stampede will be releasing more details about Elbow River Camp in the near future on their website
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