Event Description

Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day in Calgary

Come experience an authentic and traditional Pow Wow happening all day. Then, at 4 pm, in partnership with the University of Calgary, join us for the 9th annual Campfire Chats event, A Celebration of Indigenous Music and Culture! And, the rest of the Historical Village is open as usual – hop on the steam train, ride the Antique Midway, sail the S.S. Moyie and so much more! We can’t wait to see you!

Date: Friday, June 21, 2024

Historical Village Hours: 10 am – 5 pm

Pow Wow Time: 11 am – 3 pm

Campfire Chats Time: 4 – 6:30 pm

Self-Identified Indigenous Peoples: Anyone who self-identifies as Indigenous at the front gates of the Park will get free admission!

General (16 – 64): $34.95 plus GST

Child (3-15): $22.95 plus GST

Senior (65+): $26.95 plus GST

Heritage Park Members: Members get free admission! Become a member today for just $60 – it pays for itself in less than 2 visits! Or, put your daily admission towards a membership or just $25 – it’s our gift to you.

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Important Additional Information

  • Parking: Paid parking is available in Heritage Park’s front lots. Members who’ve bought the parking add-on park for free! The Park Plus Zone number of the front lots is 8320. The daytime rate is $10 for the first 7 hours, and 10$ per hour thereafter to a maximum of $30. Click here for more information.
  • Event Access: Once guests have arrived to the Park, they can go to the front gates of the Historical Village to get admission and enter the Historical Village.
  • Getting to Heritage Park: There are plenty of ways to get to the Park, whether that be on foot, via transit, or driving. Click here to find the way that works for you!

National Indigenous Peoples Day Traditional Pow Wow

Time: 11 am – 3 pm

Location: Celebration Field

Master of Ceremonies (MC): Eli Snow and Seth Dodging Horse

Invited Drums: Babyflats, Indian Agency, Nakoda Nation, Stoney Park Jr. and Broken Knife

Dance Specials: Grass Dance, Tiny Tot Dance and Snow Family Special

Buffalo Feast: Free food will be available for guests on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Campfire Chats: A Celebration of Indigenous Music and Culture

Join us in partnership with the University of Calgary for the 9th Annual Campfire Chats event, A Celebration of Indigenous Music and Culture. Celebrate Indigenous peoples’ culture and history through live music. Featured recording artists include Eya-Hey Nakoda, Armond Duck Chief, Craig Ginn, the Denby Family and Olivia Tail Feathers.

Time: 4 – 6:30 pm

Location: Heritage Plaza

Price: Free to attend

Meet the Performers

Eya-Hey Nakoda

Eya-Hey Nakoda is a drum group from Stoney Nakoda Nation in Morley, Alberta. The group was co-founded by Elder Rod Hunter and his son Anders, who continue to perform together since 1994. Eya-Hey Nakoda has won several championships around North America including first place at the aboriginal Cultural Festival in Vancouver.

Armond Duck Chief

Armond Duck Chief is a Country singer/songwriter and Rodeo Cowboy from Siksika Nation, Alberta. With a rich history of countless performances across Canada and the U.S., Armond Duck Chief has showcased his musical prowess in a variety of notable venues and events.

His stage presence has graced nationally aired platforms such as the Indigenous Music Awards, Canada Day alongside the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and Indigenous Day alongside Jim Cuddy, just to name a few.

Following the success of his 2016 album, “The One,” which not only garnered a JUNO Award nomination but also secured the prestigious title of Best Country Album at the Indigenous Awards, his newest musical endeavour, “Thinking ‘Bout You,” is yet another poignant celebration of family, rodeo, and life itself.

Craig Ginn

Born in Winnipeg, Craig Ginn grew up in the northern communities of Churchill, Thompson, and Leaf Rapids. Craig currently resides in Calgary where he is an active member of the Métis Nation of Alberta as well as a member of Métis Local 87. Craig is an Associate Professor (Teaching) in the Department of Classics and Religion and serves as the Director of the International Indigenous Studies Program at the University of Calgary.

As an academic and musician, Craig has recently released a 10-song album, Songs of Justice (2021). The lyrics inform current and historical relations between Canada and its Indigenous peoples, also drawing attention to the political and spiritual significance of Louis Riel. Craig is currently recording music for the Animal Kinship Project, to be released summer 2023.

Informed by Indigenous understandings of relationality and his own observations and experiences, the songs will portray the presence and impact of animals, including songs about the polar bear, wolf, eagle, beaver, snowy owl, orca, and raven. Two songs address the historical slaughters of animals, the plains bison in the late-19th century and Inuit sled dogs from 1950-1975.

The Denby Family

The Denby Family are Métis fiddle and jig performers comprised of sisters, Breann and Kaleena Denby, and their parents, Ralph and Yvette Denby.

Both the Denby sisters and their mother learned fiddle by-ear and were taught by different teachers in the fiddle community as well as at in the Métis Nations of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6.

They take great pride in showcasing their music at various venues such as UCalgary’s Indigenous Graduations, various Calgary Board of Education schools, flag raising ceremonies at the City of Calgary’s City Hall, Lougheed House, Calgary’s Aboriginal Friendship Centre’s clinic opening ceremony, and many other community events and venues. The Denby family is proud to share educational information on Métis culture.

Olivia Tail Feathers

Olivia Tail Feathers is a songstress from the Blood Tribe in Southern Alberta. Olivia has sung in many genres of music and created her own unique style of song through her musical experiences.

She is a Blackfeet woman who grew up speaking the language and living the Plains native culture. During her first years of teaching in federal schools she realized the absence of indigenous song in the music curriculum. She has since created the native songs she carries with her today.

Olivia helped to start filling the gap of Traditional/Contemporary native song, in classrooms and community events. She is proud of her heritage and continues sharing her stories and songs.

Olivia founded a youth singing grouping in 1994, the Kainai Grassland Singers, the movement of the tall grasses by the summer breeze, the image of her ancestors of the past gave her the passion and vision to re-create.

Olivia has performed with many First Nations singers, she gives credit to the Banff Center for the Arts in connecting with Indigenous singers from North America. Olivia is an international recording artist and was a singer in, ’Hearts of the Nations’ Compilation C.D. (Sweet Grass Records) and Ninihkssin C.D.’ (Arbor Records).

She has credits in Documentary film and is featured in ‘Singing Our Stories, First Ladies of Indigenous Music’ NFB, and the ‘Intertribal Music Series’, CBC and APTN.

Olivia was the recipient of the first ‘Keeper of Traditions Award’, CAMA 1999, Blackfoot Canadian Cultural Society Award 2021, Lifetime Arts Award 2021 (BCCS), Teacher Excellence FNMI. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree from the University of Montana, Missoula, Montana.

Artist Showcase

Come check out some amazing art and Indigenous game demonstrations  in Big Rock Brewery all afternoon!

Time: 1 – 6 pm

Location: Big Rock Brewery