Tipi Holders – Sharing a Legacy of Culture through Tipi Design

Elbow River Camp presented by Enbridge has been part of the Calgary Stampede since 1912, showcasing the cultures of the Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina First Nations. Each July, up to 26 families gather to share their traditions and stories with guests through uniquely painted tipis.

Among them are Hutch and Pam Sitting Eagle, Tipi Holders from the Siksika Nation. Hutch’s family has been part of the Stampede since 1972, and he and Pam were honoured to receive the title from Hutch’s parents in 2015.

“My family has been participating in the Stampede each year since 1972, so being a Tipi Holder is an honour for us. Tipis can be transferred three ways: through gifts, the owner’s decision or in some cases, by a family member asking the oldest family member permission to become Tipi Holder,” says Hutch.

“For my parents, they were getting a bit tired, so they decided that, since my wife and I entered one of our holy societies, it was best we continue all the Siksika traditions, including as Tipi Holders.” Hutch confirmed that when he and Pam decided to get more involved in the traditional side of the Blackfoot culture, his parents didn’t offer the title of Tipi Holder to them, they told Hutch and Pam they were getting the title.

Tipi designs are sacred, often revealed in a unique way. “They come to us in dreams,” says Hutch.

While much of the meaning stays within the family, Hutch shares that Blackfoot designs always reflect balance. “It has four otters on it. One side is the male side, and the other side is the female side. In Blackfoot designs, there’s always balance and a place for everyone, meaning equality.”

He also explains how designs are structured: “The top part of the tipi is usually what’s in the sky, the middle part is usually the dream, the vision or the story, and the bottom is what’s on the land.”

For Stampede 2025, the Sitting Eagles are bringing a different lodge. “We decided to take the Yellow Horse Lodge (Tipi), because it has very sentimental truths,” says Pam. “We wanted to highlight our clan. The clan on my mother-in-law’s side is called Special Children. Family is what makes us all connected, and we wanted to showcase the Yellow Horse Lodge to symbolize one of our (other) clans."

Painted black and red on the top, the middle section of the tipi is painted bright yellow with two black horses facing each other. The bottom of the tipi offers red and black designs.

Pam shares, “We believe this tipi was a gift from our Spirit Child Holy Plume Child. Then the Yellow Horse Lodge came to Hutch. We chose to use the Yellow Horse Tipi this year to honour the clan.”

The Sitting Eagles are also honouring a tradition by including a mini lodge for their grandchildren. “Special Children Clan was believed to have many strong leaders who cherished their children. Their children had mini replica lodges set up with parent lodges, so this year, we will be sharing that part of our culture with our children’s mini lodge set up beside our Yellow Painted Lodge.”

Guests are invited to visit the Sitting Eagles and other Tipi Holders at Elbow River Camp this Stampede to learn more about the traditions behind each tipi.