Siksika Nation hosts 20th annual Run As One Music Festival

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Run As One Music Festival, hosted by Siksika Health Services, took place June 28, hosted at the Siksika Memorial Arbour. 

Richard Running Rabbit, who spoke on behalf of the event, explained it used to be called Siksika Nation Youth Awareness Week, which offered resources and support for local young people.

“We brought in different people from all over to provide positive influence for our younger generation. Over the years it transformed into what it is,” he said. “The music festival was something that was added at a later date but it grew to be one of the bigger attractions of the week, and probably the highlight of the week. With that, we brought in a lot of Indigenous talent from across Turtle Island.”

He added the festival has rubbed off on the local community, helping to foster a growing, vibrant music scene consisting of a lot of young talent. 

The headliners this year, Running Rabbit explained, were a mix of both up-and-comers, as well as veteran performers. 

This year also marked the 20th anniversary of the Run As One Festival, which now boats itself as the longest running Indigenous music festival.

“We did not aspire to attain that title, but it just happened that way. We were told by some people who came from Lethbridge who did the research, and they were telling us that this is the case,” said Running Rabbit. “Chief and council changed the dates of our fair to Canada Day weekend, so we took advantage of that to host a music festival. We figured we would get a good turnout of people – it was right at the powwow grounds, and there was a big four directions unity ride.”

Running Rabbit added response from the local community who come out is generally very positive to the event, and the young people who are the focus are deserving of the positive attention. 

“We have ongoing social issues that never seem to stop, but events like this, it has been around for about 20 years so a lot of the people who are leading these activities now, they were kids when it first started and so it has played a positive role in their lives,” he said. “Now, they are giving back and they are the ones who are taking the lead on all these activities and being in the leadership positions. That was the overall long-term goal.”