Indian Princess fulfills grandmother’s dream

“My grandmother always wanted one of her granddaughters to try out to be a princess,” Eva Meguinis said. “I also always wanted to be a princess. Being royalty is celebrated at community (level) as well, and not just at the Stampede.”

On Sept, 18, Meguinis’ term as the Calgary Stampede Indian Princess for 2011 officially ends. Meguinis will keep her crown and only pass on her title.

“I dedicated my whole life for the whole year. It changed my life immensely. The crown always (came) first,” Meguinis said.

Such dedication does not come easy. “I wanted something different for myself so I had to make (life) changes,” she said.

In spite of the hectic schedule of a Stampede Princess, Meguinis would recommend the experience to any other girl. With some 350 appearances throughout the year, and 120 of those during the 10 days of the Calgary Stampede, Meguinis said she would not have been able to do it without the team assigned to assist her.
Her duties took her to Banff, Edmonton and Toronto, among others, and for the 24 year-old, it took hard work and commitment.

“I had to learn all about royalty, cross-cultural training, even the Calgary Stampede,” she said. “I am very comfortable on stage, speaking to the public, and I enjoy networking.”

Meguinis took her role as ambassador for the Calgary Stampede and as representative of the Treaty 7 Nations seriously. Growing up in Calgary, she incorporated her traditional jingle dress dancing, storytelling and other talents in performing her duties. Honour and respect are important to her, especially as she welcomed foreigners to the Stampede.

“To many people, I’m probably the first Native they met,” she said.

Meguinis’ association with the Calgary Stampede is a family affair. Her grandfather, Mike Meguinis Sr., has a tipi at the Indian Village, and as a family they have participated in the Stampede for the past 28 years. Her grandfather is one of the few remaining Elders who can speak his native Tsuu T’ina language. He started attending the Stampede at age eight and is now in his eighties!

One of Meguinis’ goals as a princess was to be a positive role-model to all who met her. Helping non-Natives understand a bit of her culture was also important.
“I want (people) to see we love to celebrate and enjoy life through our pow wow dances,” she said.

One of the biggest highlights of her term as princess was to meet the Duke and Duchess during the Royal Tour.
“I never thought that would happen to me, “ she said. Meguinis, along with Gilbert Eagle Bear from the Kainai Nation, were chosen to welcome the Royal couple to an official function in Calgary.

The first thing Meguinis hopes to do when her royal duties come to an end is take a vacation.

“I am thinking of going to New Zealand for a few weeks,” she dreamily said. “Then it’s back to school, to study psychology, Native Studies and Cree.”

Meguinis wanted something different for herself, and she certainly serves as inspiration for any young girl with dreams of her own.

Photo:  Ingrid Brunkhorst Hurrell