Tsuu T’ina First Nation will be honouring its history and culture at its annual powwow and rodeo and organizers are inviting the public to join in the celebration.
The 39th annual Tsuu T’ina First Nation Rodeo and Powwow will be held July 26 to 28 at the Redwood Fair Grounds and Arena, just south of Cochrane on Highway 22, across from the Redwood Meadows Golf and Country Club.
The Tsuu T’ina Rodeo is the largest open First Nation rodeo in Canada and attracts professional cowboys and cowgirls from across North America, according to Tsuu T’ina First Nation Coun. Emmet Crowchild.
The Canadian First Nation rodeo competitors hail mainly from Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, while those from the United States travel from as far away as Florida, Arizona and California to attend the event.
Many of these competitors belong to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, said Crowchild, and they participate in the Tsuu T’ina Rodeo as part of their summer tour circuit.
“People should come out because the best of the best First Nations cowboys and cowgirls in North America compete in our rodeo,” he said.
Participants compete in major events such as bareback, saddle bronc, bullriding, tie down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, ladies barrel racing and ladies breakaway roping. Other events include junior barrel racing, junior steer riding, junior breakaway roping and senior breakaway roping.
The rodeo kicks-off Friday, July 26 with performances at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. and continues Saturday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
The Junior Rodeo began July 24 at 9 a.m. and continues all weekend.
“The start of regular rodeo is on Thursday with the slack that begins at 1 p.m.,” said Crowchild. “On Sunday, the top 10 in each adult and junior event compete at 2 p.m.”
The event is not only popular with Albertans, but with people from outside Canada, said Crowchild, who has enjoyed meeting tourists from Europe and Asia whose bus tours have stopped at the rodeo in previous years.
“We are happy to have everybody celebrate with us because we want to introduce people to our culture,” he said. “People just love to come to our event because they have fun and get to meet cowboys, cowgirls and dancers.”
On the fair grounds there will be many booths featuring delicious First Nation food and a variety of traditional crafts and other items to purchase.
An integral part of the weekend celebration is the powwow, which Tsuu T’ina First Nation member and powwow master of ceremonies Hal Eagletail said features First Nations dancers, drummers and singers of all ages.
Eagletail described the powwow as a friendly dance and singing competition, accompanied by ceremonial hand drummers.
The Powwow Grand Entry is Friday July 26 at 7 p.m., and then continues again on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.
“Top winners from the dance and singing contests will be announced Sunday evening,” said Eagletail.
The powwow dances, which originated from Oklahoma, include the grass, fancy feather, traditional buckskin, war bonnet, slow style and round bustle chicken dance.
Daily admission fees for the rodeo are: adults $7, students seven to 17 $5, and free for children and elders.
