Calgary Stampede’s Indian Village is about celebrating life

When Eva Menguinis took the title of Calgary Stampede Princess she had no idea that she would be joined by other royalty at this year’s event.

“Meeting the Duke and Duchess was the biggest highlight of my year,” said Menguinis, who is a member of the Tsuu T’ina Nation, but represents all five tribes of Treaty 7 at the Indian Village.

Prince William and his new wife Kate made a brief stop at the Calgary Stampede on July 8. They were accompanied by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen.
Equally special to Menguinis was being with her grandfather, Mike Meguinis. Meguinis Sr., who owns a tipi at the village, has attended the Stampede since he was a boy of eight — and he is now in his eighties! He is also one of the last Elders who can speak his Native tongue fluently.

But representing First Nation people at the Stampede goes beyond a meet and greet with the Royal Couple.
“To many people, I’m probably the first Native they’ve met,” Menguinis said. People come from all over the world, and this year’s visitors included people from Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and the United Kingdom. “Here at the Indian Village (they) can see we like to celebrate and enjoy life.”

The Indian Village has been part of the Stampede since 1912, and for Menguinis her role as princess has been marked with many honourable and memorable moments. On her blog she writes, “I have been honoured to carry this title and be the face of not only Treaty 7 but for Natives in general to visitors from all over the world. The Stampede Indian Princess Committee is working very hard to increase the presence of the Stampede Indian Princess as an Ambassador for the Indian Village and Calgary Stampede, as a positive role model empowering our First Nation youth.”

As Menguinis carries the “title and face for Treaty 7,” so the Indian Village itself portrays the heart and life of the culture, art, music, dancing and customs of the represented First Nations.

On the first day of the Stampede, Calgary’s Mayor Naheed Nenshi officially opened the Indian Village.
Adrian Wolfleg, interpretative program director, and his interpreters in bright-red jackets were available to educate visitors on the way Natives lived in Canada in the past. Cooking demonstrations showed how bannock is made, meat smoked over smoldering coals and refreshing juice made from freshly squeezed berries. Visitors could also take a peek inside one of the 27 tipis, or browse the authentic jewelry on sale.

Artist family Iron Shirt came from the Blood Reserve near Cardston to display and sell their creations.

“Business has been good,” said Bessie Iron Shirt, noting that many small groups of people passed through the area where the artist booths were set up.

This year’s “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” marks the 99th Calgary Stampede. Total attendance for the 10-day event reached 1,056,731, an increase of close to 13,000 people over the previous year.

Photo caption: (From left) Alysha Raine prepared juice from freshly-squeezed berries, which she served in small cups to visitors, while Nancy Ear and Janeta Ear rolled and cooked bannock over the coals.

Photo: Ingrid Brunkhorst Hurrell