‘Indian Village’ keeping name for historical reasons
Many organizations have traded the word “Indian” for “Indigenous” in recent years — but the Calgary Stampede’s Indian Village is keeping its name for at least another season.
The name symbolizes a 105-year relationship between the First Nations and the Calgary Stampede, and despite differing opinions on whether or not it should be changed, teepee owners decided to focus on the historical relevance of the name.
“They feel that it was the way it was in 1912 and they want to keep it that way — not to say that it’s not going to change and it isn’t a discussion happening now,” said Lowa Beebe, public relations liaison with the Assembly of First Nations.
She said the decision to keep or change the village name lies with the teepee owners.
One teepee owner, Keith Lefthand, said the name has remained due to its historical relevance, but he would be open to changes.
“Most First Nations people I know, Indian is just a word to us. First Nations means something. Our last names mean something,” said Lefthand.
While Indian Village keeps the name, other Stampede advertising materials do not use the word “Indian.”
The village opened Friday afternoon after leaders of the Treaty 7 First Nations marshalled the Stampede parade. Beebe said having the chiefs in the parade was a “true step towards reconciliation.”
“There’s not a major city in Canada that I know of that actually leads with First Nations leaders indigenous to their land,” said Beebe. She hopes the message spreads both nationwide and worldwide showing how people can work together.
Indian Village is located at ENMAX Park and has events going on for the duration of the Stampede, including a Pow Wow competition Wednesday and Thursday, traditional games Saturday and Tuesday and a meat-cutting competition on Sunday.