National Indigenous Peoples Day

Traditional Pow Wow Celebration: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Location: Celebration Field
• Rain Location: Chatauqua Tent

Experience the energy and tradition of an Indigenous Pow Wow — a cultural gathering that includes competitive and intertribal dancing, traditional music and deep-rooted community ties.

Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, folding chairs, and non-alcoholic drinks or snacks. Seating is festival-style and first-come.

The Traditional Pow Wow Features:

• Dance Specials: Grass Dance, The Tiny Tots Dance, The Hat and Boot Dance, the Potato Dance, and a Team Surprise Special.
• Babyflats: A celebrated youth drumming group, made up of boys ages 6 to 13.
• Masters of Ceremonies: Chief Lee Crowchild, Kiit Okii and Naomi Eyahpaise, hosts of APTN’ The Other Side—respected artists and community leaders who will guide the day’s storytelling and song.
• Traditional Feast: A complimentary traditional feast of Bison Burgers will be offered to the first 1,000 guests — an opportunity to connect through shared food and conversation.

Pow Wow Prizing

• Tiny Tots: The first 50 Tiny Tot Dancers will receive a $5 bill, an ice cream voucher and candy.
• Hat and Boot Special: $1,000 for 1st place, $500 for 2nd place
• Potato Dance: $1,000 for 1st place, $500 for 2nd place
• Team Surprise Special: $1,000 for 1st place, $500 for 2nd place

Indigenous Market

• Time: 12 – 5 p.m.
• Location: Heritage Plaza
• Rain Location: Gasoline Alley Museum

Shop handcrafted items and artwork from Indigenous artisans throughout the day. Interested vendors are still welcome to apply — please contact Leena Sheppard at lsheppard@heritagepark.ca or 1.587.323.5441.

Indigenous Art in the Park

• Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Location: Our Lady of Peace Mission

Explore this installation by Metis artist Tracey-Mae Chambers that explores connection, healing and reclamation.

Indigenous Hand Games

• Time:  2 – 4:30 p.m.
• Location: First Nations Encampment
• Rain Location: Millarville Rancher’s Hall

Learn how life skills were taught as you play some traditional Indigenous games with Sheldon First Rider.

Campfire Chats: A Celebration of Indigenous Music and Culture from 2 – 4 p.m.

Presented in partnership with the University of Calgary, Campfire Chats is a free, open-air concert in Heritage Plaza that highlights contemporary Indigenous voices.

This year’s lineup includes:

• Eya-Hey Nakoda (Elder Rod Hunter & family)
• Craig Ginn (musician-scholar, Métis Nation)
• Foreshadow (Salish/Blackfeet hip-hop artist)
• Ksk’staak’iinna (Blackfoot singer-songwriter)
• Shane Ghostkeeper (folk-rock musician)

Register for Campfire Chats