Siksika wins third place at Stampede

Posted on: jamacsadmin

Shannon LeClair – Times Reporter

For the past 98 years Calgary has hosted the Stampede, and for every one of those years, one family has been there.  The Ayoungman family has made it a tradition since the very first Stampede to be there showing and explaining their heritage. The Ayoungman family is from Siksika Reserve and the tradition is still strong within their family to this day.

“Both my mom and my dad’s side have been involved in it,” said Angie Ayoungman. “It’s where we help to promote our culture to visitors who come to the Stampede.”

Her son is a dancer and sings, and the family takes part in the parade and in a variety of different cultural events.
The family sets up their tipi in the Indian Village, and this year they won third place out of 29 tipis in the tipi contest. Last year they also won third, and Angie said they have often been a part of the opening groups of tipis. Everyone from Angie’s sister, mother, son, grandson, nieces and nephews head down to Calgary to take part in the Stampede, proudly promoting their beautiful tipi.