As anticipated, the centennial year is off to a lively and exciting start! I hope that everyone was able to enjoy the holiday season with their families and loved ones.

January has proved to be the perfect beginning to this 2012 Calgary Stampede Centennial for me and my Stampede Sisters. Recently, we four attended the 2012 Stars and Spurs Gala in support of STARS: the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society. This is a charitable cause very close to our hearts as STARS helped save our royal sister, 2010 Stampede Princess Janelle Phillips, who is now a spokesperson for this life-saving organization. I believe we should all be appreciative of this service as none of us can ever be certain if we too will ever need their aid some day in our lives.

The Stampede Queen and Princesses and I were asked to contribute our efforts in raffling off a beautiful VIP table. We also greeted guests as Stampede ambassadors as they bid on some spectacular auction items. Thankfully, none of us had personally needed to see STARS close-up, so we all appreciated getting the opportunity to tour the STARS mobile unit and get a taste of STARS on the ground. Thanks to the many generous hearts and the support of many an organization STARS raised a total of $720,000.

We also visited Big Rock Elementary school in Okotoks for their Celebrity Reading Week. The royalty were invited to read stories to the students. A love of reading has been impressed on me since I was a child and I believe that an appreciation of books is a quality to be nurtured in all of us. In my life I have personally known adults that have committed themselves to overcoming illiteracy. To make reading accessible and fun for young minds is important to eradicate illiteracy, build self-esteem and make learning enjoyable.

Princess Jessica and I had so much fun sharing the stampede spirit and reading to the students.

I was so very proud to share my culture with the trio as we attended the 40th Annual Napi Friendship Center Pow Wow in Pincher Creek, Alberta. Taking the girls to my home reserve and having them take part in the grand entry and intertribals was a source of great pride for me.

Candace, Jessica and Dani have shared so much with me about cowboy culture and I was so pleased to have them take part in First Nations culture and to share with them and have fun with it. My community was excited to see the royalty there as they took in the sights and mingled with all in attendance.

I look forward to many more pow wows with the girls as our year together continues.

As we move closer and closer to the Calgary Stampede Centennial I am provided with more and more opportunities to represent the Indian Village presented by Penn West Exploration and the Calgary Stampede.

In February I will be travelling and performing in Memphis, Tennessee with the aboriginal performance duo Young Medicine on behalf of Travel Alberta, Travel BC abd Globus to promote all that Western Canada has to offer.

Another exciting endeavour will be travelling to China in February and March with Canadian Tourism Commission.   I’m so excited to be travelling internationally as the Indian Princess as I never dreamed that I would be so fortunate and I look forward to experiencing authentic Chinese culture and find out all there is to discover.

The countdown to Centennial begins!

Your Stampede Indian Princess

~ Amelia ~

I hardly know where to start this blog off because I am so excited to tell you about my day! Our lovely Indian Princess Amelia Crowshoe and her family invited us three ladies to the Napi Friendship Centre 40th Anniversary Competition Pow wow in Pincher Creek, Alberta! The more time I spend with Amelia, the more I crave to learn about her cultural background. Now I’ll admit… I am not the best dancer (hard to believe, I know ), but I had so much fun participating in the dancing and the grand entry that they have at the beginning of the day! As we got to stand in the middle of the room with other royalties and dignitaries, all the dancers were introduced by category and came dancing in. The sea of colour, jingles, and music was enough to get my adrenaline going!

Being the Centennial Queen, my goal this year is to make sure I do the best of my abilities to support all aspects of the Calgary Stampede. Being able to go today gives me a bit more confidence that I will be able to support the Indian Village in times where Amelia may be at different events or traveling to promote the Calgary Stampede Indian Princess Program.

It didn’t matter where you were from, everyone was family there today. Just the sense of community in that building was incredible and I was so happy to be apart of that. As Amelia’s Stampede sister I was a little biased and thought she was obviously the best , but all the dancers in each category for men, women, youth, kids, and seniors brought their own unique presence and passion to each dance.

Thank you again to the Crowshoes, the Napi Friendship Centre and everyone involved for having us there and letting us be apart of it!

This weekend I headed down to the Calgary Motorcycle Show at the BMO Centre on the Stampede grounds to check out all the new “toys” (I was sure they had changed drastically since 1980). Drifting from one shiny bike to another and then through the historical parade – one thing caught my eye….Evolution of Extreme Show. I figured this ought to be entertaining!

I was fully expecting the Freestyle Motocross – but did not expect to a Quad doing Freestyle nor did I expect Sled Freestyle (Is it just me or don’t those things typically need snow to operate?). These boys truly put on an amazing show – flying through the air pulling tricks like the Superman, Side Winder and one handed back-flips. This show definitely added a side to riding that I hadn’t experienced before. Although I do have to ask – how many times does one fall learning how to pull stunts like that?

I’m excited for the show next year– Think they’d let me take one for a test ride….

Freestyle Through the Air!

Stunt Riders

Teaching Kids to Ride....Wonder if they would let me try?

From the very beginning, Candice, Dani, Amelia and I have been having so much fun representing the Stampede as a unit. From searching for ghosts at the Banff Springs Hotel during the travel Alberta conference, to watching an outrageous fashion show in Edmonton during the C.F.R. to practically blowing the speakers out of our minivan in Vancouver during the Grey Cup, we haven’t stopped laughing! Even riding in the pouring rain in Vancouver during the Grey Cup Parade was a fantastic experience!

Many of the events that we have done closer to home have been amazing as well. I especially loved our day of volunteering with Operation Christmas Child, helping to pack shoeboxes to be sent to less fortunate children around the world. We also helped to pack hampers of groceries for less fortunate families right here in Calgary at St. Michael’s Church. It is so amazing to be able to use the position we have been given to help give back to those who need it most.

We were also fortunate enough to be invited to the George Canyon Country Christmas concert where he and his very talented band collaborated with the amazing Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. The music and entertainment were amazing and the perfect way to kick off the Centennial Celebrations for the Calgary Stampede.

One of the most interesting events we have done was to attend a Queen’s Alumni meeting and meet all of the past Stampede Royalty, including the very first Stampede Queen, Patsy Rodgers, who was Queen in 1946! Hearing about the history of the past royalty from the ladies themselves and about how things have changed was fascinating.

We are so fortunate to have had the opportunities to participate in these, and many, many more incredible and entertaining events. I’m sure I have left out many of my favorite memories in this blog, we have been very busy since the very beginning of our reign in October, and I know that this year is just getting started! So Happy New Year to all of our blog readers, I’m looking forward to all that is yet to come during this incredible journey as Calgary Stampede Royalty!

*******************************************

Growing up within the Piikani-Blackfoot culture I was taught that its values originated within a spirit of love and compassion for your family and community, and for humanity in general. In my cultural education, I was taught that we should have compassion for our neighbour and to recognize that we are all only human beings in need of consideration and support; even more so when we stumble and cannot meet our basic needs or help those we care for.

Traditionally First Nations communities measured their success as a society not only through the accomplishments of its individuals but through the health of their communities as a whole. If a fellow member of your tribe was suffering and in need, you were too: your merit was reflected in your ability to help those around you. Chiefs and community leaders often gave away food and goods so that the community could benefit from their individual success; it was viewed not only as a responsibility but as an opportunity to celebrate through the spirit of giving. The spirit of charity and compassion are values that remain strong within my heritage.

Because of these traditional values I believe that we all are better served when we are a strong and healthy community; when we are a society that expresses itself through acts of compassion, charity, and by the giving of our time and efforts to those around us in need. In a city as thriving as Calgary we can invest not only to eradicate poverty, hunger, homelessness and despair, but to contribute to a much happier, healthier city for all individuals and families. At one time or another I am sure that we have all wondered how anyone should go without when there are so many people in this wonderful city of ours able to give.

In giving we provide those in need with respite from suffering; it is a gift that is priceless to those who receive it. A donation to the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund is an opportunity for us to provide hope and positive change to those who need it most. The Calgary Herald Christmas Fund empowers its recipient charities to continue to provide support and compassion to Calgarians in need.

People in need often times do not make the decision to be in their predicaments and are sometimes helpless to overcome the obstacles they are faced with. We can make the decision to help them find the resources and strength of spirit to succeed. The Christmas Fund provides the means for us to make an impact and affect change in our society – to make us all successful as a city and a community.

In my own First Nations community there are many people who struggle with crisis issues such as homelessness, hunger, addictions, abuse and poverty. I have personally seen the shadows these plagues may cast. As a result of charitable giving and volunteerism, I have been fortunate enough to witness the power of transformation that these pursuits may invoke. These acts truly affect the lives of those in need. In investing your time to a support program or making charitable donations to an organization that services those struggling with critical needs you give something that cannot be measured, you give hope to all of us that this world can be better.

Remember, your candle loses nothing when it lights another…be generous today.

On behalf of the five tribes of Treaty 7, Indian Village and the Calgary Stampede, we ask the Creator to bless each of you and fill your heart with the warmth and joy of the holiday season. May you always have the Spirit of the season which is Peace, the Gladness of the season which is Hope, the Heart of the season which is Love.

Amelia Crowshoe is the 2012 Calgary Stampede Centennial Indian Princess. A graduate from the University of Calgary, Amelia has ambitions to become a lawyer specializing in the needs of the First Nations community in the realm of business and corporate law. Follow Amelia on facebook at “Calgary Stampede Indian Princess” or at indianvillage.ca

Over the past few weeks, we have only had a few events, but one in specific was very moving for all of us. On December 19th, we spent the day at St. Michaels Catholic Community Church filling food hampers for different families across Calgary. It was so fun to meet all the different volunteers that day, have the opportunity to put together the grocery lists, and give families one less thing to worry about at Christmas.
Along with the food hampers, Christmas gifts were given to all the families. I am an avid winter sport fan, and have always had the opportunity to ski and snowboard and think nothing else of it. The volunteers were able to get one younger boy a snowboard and boots for a Christmas gift. The fact that this boy is going to be able to enjoy snowboarding and the thrilling feeling of shredding down that hill or mountain as much as I do brought me to tears. I am so excited that I was able to be part of this event and help over 100 families in Calgary have an amazing Christmas.

This humbling experience made me appreciate my family and our cheesy christmas and holiday traditions more than ever and I am so thankful for that. This New years my goal is to pay it forward more than ever. If I can change one persons life, whether it be at work, as Calgary Stampede Queen, or just a close friend I’ll know that my goal was attained.

I hope everyone has a great New Years and please do me a favour… HAVE FUN! Let’s bring in this Centennial year with a bang!

The moment you step in the processing centre, an absolutely spirit of giving and the holidays overwhelms you. To see so many volunteers lovingly opening each box for inspection…many wearing Santa hats, how can you not feel like you actually stepped into Santa’s workshop!

After our volunteering shift, we were given a tour of the facility where we learned that this organization also takes on emergency relief situations and projects for clean water in needing countries.

It’s not too late to spread the holiday spirit! You can pack a shoe box online at samaritanspurse.ca/shoebox.

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world. I invite you to experience a truly rewarding experience. It is a project the whole family can do together.

Sincerely
Princess Jessica

All I can say about this photo is that I LOVE these girls. When I was chosen to be part of the royalty this year, I was excited about joining the group of volunteers that live and breathe the Calgary Stampede. I was also excited for the opportunity that I would be given to build new friendships. Jessica, Dani, Amelia, and I have already had fun, serious, and goofy moments that I will treasure forever. This past weekend (Wednesday – Sunday) the girls and I had the opportunity to join the Calgary Grey Cup committee in Vancouver for the 99th Grey Cup. Not only did we get to flip our first pancakes and practice line dancing in the restricted space of a hotel room, we got to have some bonding time.

In between photos, line dancing, and eating pancakes and sausage, we had moments in the car, hotel, and secretly at events that we joked and laughed about. These kind of moments were the ones I was looking forward to having and making this year. We had a few spare hours to burn which we immediately used to go to Granville Island and Stanley Park. Both were the perfect places to pick, being able to see the urban-city vibe at Granville Island and Vancouver’s rural beauty of Stanley park and the ocean was a real treat.

We had two pancake breakfasts at BC Place where we got to flip and serve pancakes and meet the locals, it was awesome! To be able to help the Calgary Grey Cup Committee bring Calgary to other people across Canada made our position as the Royalty feel real.This group of men and women are amazing people and can make anyone feel at home. They truly bring Calgary’s hospitality and genuine kindness to people from all over the world.

Thank you so much Calgary Grey Cup Committee for letting us be part of this experience with you, it not only brought us four closer but gave us a good look at how much Calgarians love to give back and live out that western heritage and values.

Happy November to all you faithful Stampede blog readers, we are officially one month closer to Christmas and Stampede 2012!

The Trio and I are soon on our way to Vancouver for the 2011 Grey Cup celebrations. I am so excited to take a break from the cold weather and represent our great city, the Calgary Stampede and the Treaty 7 tribes at the Indian Village. During the 5 days the royalty will be promoting the City of Calgary at numerous events and taking part in our first official parade! I would like to give a great big thank you to the members of the Calgary Grey Cup Committee for hosting us. They are a wonderful, hardworking and fun bunch of people who do such a great job every year. Their passion and excitement for the sport and for our City is outstanding. I am thrilled for my first out-of-province trip to Vancouver and to represent our community under such a major national spotlight.

I also had a wonderful time with my Stampede sisters Candace, Dani and Jessica at the 2011 Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton. It was an exciting time filled with royalty, cowboys and lots of laughs. I experienced my first official autograph signing with Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine as well! It was great to mix and mingle with the crowd and get to meet so many happy, smiling and adorable kids. I would like to thank our hosts at Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine who were so great and so supportive – they made my first CFR really special. Thank you to Rob and Marie Tanner and the staff at Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine!

As I travel to every event as the Centennial Indian Princess I am so proud to be a member of the Piikani Nation and represent the Treaty 7 tribes at the Indian Village. I would like to encourage all the young women of Treaty 7 to keep in mind their goals and aspirations so that they may try hard and make them a reality. Never lose faith in your ability to make your dreams come true. First Nations women are beautiful, strong and the heart of their community – we can overcome any obstacle, endure any hardship and maintain our cultural heritage in these modern times. I hope to carry this message with me throughout my year and during my travels as the 2012 Indian Princess.

I hope to see you during the holiday season! Stay warm, keep smiling and don’t forget your wool socks.

Until next time…

Amelia