More than a beat: New drumming competition brings powerful tradition to the Calgary Stampede Powwow

For Trevor Pelletier, singing around the drum has never just been about music.

"It's about our children," he says. "We want them to know what it means to travel the powwow trail, to carry on these songs and to understand where they come from."

That sense of family, culture and pride is taking centre stage at the Calgary Stampede Powwow presented by TC Energy, where a brand-new drumming competition is making its debut and giving visitors another way to experience one of North America's richest Indigenous traditions.

For Trevor and the Blackfoot A-1 Club, the competition marks more than a chance to perform — it's the continuation of a legacy.

The drum group recently revived the historic A-1 Club name, bringing together family members determined to honour the singers who came before them.

"We're all family. We're all related to each other," Trevor says. "We're bringing back that sense of pride to our families and to the ones that started this before us."

The group gathers weekly to practise, with grandparents, parents and children all coming together around the drum. Throughout the two-day Powwow, held Monday, July 6 and Tuesday, July 7, 14 singers perform as one, filling the Scotiabank Saddledome with songs that have been passed down through generations.

"There are a lot of songs that belong to the club that we want to bring back," Trevor says. "It's really about bringing that cultural piece back to our families."

For first-time visitors, the new drumming competition offers a fascinating glimpse into the traditions behind every Powwow dance.

While newcomers may hear powerful voices and steady rhythms, experienced singers recognise that each performance tells its own story. Different dances require different songs, each with its own style, tempo and purpose.

"To the untrained ear, they might sound similar," Trevor explains. "But to us, every song has a name, every style has a purpose. When they tell us what category we're singing for, we already know exactly which songs belong there."

Trevor has spent more than 25 years immersed in Powwow culture. A champion chicken dancer as well as a singer, he's performed across North America, danced in the Olympic ceremonies and travelled as far as New Zealand to share Indigenous culture through song and dance.

He also serves on advisory councils supporting addiction and mental health initiatives, using singing to help reconnect people with culture.

"Singing is one of my medicines," he says. "It's something I use to empower people."

That deeper meaning is something he hopes Stampede guests will take away as they experience the Powwow.

The introduction of the drumming competition adds another exciting layer to an event already filled with spectacular dance, regalia and celebration. While dancers often capture the spotlight, the drum remains the heartbeat of every Powwow, providing the songs that guide each category and connect performers to generations of tradition.

If you missed Monday's performances, there's still one more opportunity to experience the Powwow.

The Calgary Stampede Powwow presented by TC Energy continues Tuesday, with visitors able to watch the new drumming competition alongside vibrant dance competitions, hear the powerful voices surrounding the drum and experience a celebration of Indigenous culture that has echoed across generations. Click here for more information.