Celebrate First Nations communities, cultures and exhilarating competition at the 2024 Calgary Stampede Powwow

You’re invited to the Calgary Stampede Powwow featuring the best dancers and drummers from across North America. This extraordinary competition will highlight the diversity of First Nations dancing, singing, and drumming on July 7 and 8 in the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Competitors will showcase eight dance styles, including Women’s Fancy, Men’s Fancy, Women’s Traditional, Men’s Traditional, Women’s Jingle, Men’s Buckskin, Men’s Chicken Dance and Men’s Grass. Each dance style is unique with many highlighting both traditional and contemporary styles, showcasing the amazing talent of each competitor.

“It has been my dream to be part of a powwow of this magnitude here in Treaty 7,” says Cheryl Crowchief, Powwow Coordinator at the Calgary Stampede. “I am thrilled to coordinate the powwow again this year and to work alongside the staff who have helped make the Stampede Powwow what it is today. I am grateful each year to watch this amazing event grow!”

The top dancers in each category compete for a share of the $200,000 in prizing, one of the largest prize pots in North America. The competition runs for two days only - from 1 to 6 p.m. – until the finals, where the top ranked dancers from each category compete for a portion of the prize money.

Johnny Powderface from the Stoney Nakoda Nation will join the powwow this year as an emcee. Johnny has previous experience as a speaker and emcee at multiple events including traditional powwows.

“It is an honour to be invited as an emcee and to be representing my Nakoda people at the Stampede Powwow this year,” said Johnny Powderface. “My drum group Chiniki Lake was an invited to the first Stampede Powwow in 2022. I am so fortunate and honoured that my name was brought forward by my Nakoda people.”

Participating as Arena Director for 2024, Graham Rowan shares his excitement.

“I feel honoured to be invited back to the Calgary Stampede Powwow,” says Graham Rowan. “It was an awesome experience last year and a great crew to work with.”

The Calgary Stampede Powwow will feature skilled First Nations drum groups including Blackfoot Drummers, Chuckodii, Eyahey Nakoda, Krazy Creek, Mountian Kree, Showtime, Spotted Rock, Walking Buffalo, Whitefish Jr’s and Yellowgun. Each drum group will play throughout the competition, bringing their individual sound to each dance.

Everyone is invited to this celebration of cultures and competition. If you have never experienced a powwow, this is your chance to immerse yourself in the variety of dances from across North America at this must-see event!

Whether you stop by for all or part of the competition, you are also invited to Elbow River Camp presented by Enbridge to visit Treaty 7 First Nations artists, taste delicious treats from the Bannock Booth and enjoy incredible programming daily from July 5-14.

Find more information, including a description of each dance style here. The Calgary Stampede Powwow is free with admission to Stampede Park.

A preview of the Stampede Powwow can be found here.

About the Calgary Stampede

The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.

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