Piikani Nation 55th Annual Celebration a huge success

Spiritriver Striped Wolf, Pincher Creek Voice

Piikani Tiny Tots Princess, Piikani Junior Princess
 and the Piikani Princess, crowned Sunday night 
Spiritriver Striped Wolf photo

Piikani was utterly buzzing this passing weekend with the festival that tops every festival that ever comes into Piikani, “Indian Days”, the “55th annual Pow Wow Celebration”. Dazzling fireworks, parades and Pow wow dancing  all took place in Piikani Nation in Crowlodge Park.

It started 55 years ago from the idea by a couple of people who had gone to the States and seen a reserve do something like this, and so they brought it back home to Piikani, making us the first reserve in Canada to have the first “Indian Days Celebration”.  The name eventually changed to “The Piikani Nation Annual Celebration”.  Most reserves have this celebration nowadays.

“What made this year so different was our new arbour. Not only the bleachers being able to hold hundreds of people, but also the floor where people could place their own chairs, having this state of the art arbour was really the highlight of this years celebrations,” said Chief Gayle Strikes With a Gun, Piikani Nation’s first female chief.

Inside the new Piikani Arbour.  Artificial grass, pavement
 sidewalk, and bleachers that can fit hundreds of people.
C. Davis photo

“It was such a success with how the people really came together.” Strikes With a Gun said. People, not only from our own reserve but also from other reserves, and a lot came up from the states also to witness this special weekend. “The only issue we had was the parking.” With the overflowing amount of people at Crowlodge Park, assuring that the road paths for emergency vehicles to pass through in such an emergency was a problem this weekend. “But it was certainly an issue we’ll be able to address for next year.”

Exterior of the new Piikani Arbour
C. Davis photo

It was absolutely astounding, especially the sight of the dancers. You can definitely tell that this was a very challenging contest for the dancers.

Every year along with this celebration the committees of Piikani all come together. Before the Pow Wow had begun, a group of the committees held pancake breakfasts, free of charge for anyone to come and have a bite in anticipation for the long awaited celebration. On Sunday these same committees along with many family floats held the annual Parade.

Mark Strikes With a Gun’s float, along with his wife
Blandine Bastien, Chief Gayle Strikes With a Gun’s parents
Spiritriver Striped Wolf photo

With all the struggles the native people have had, especially from what I’ve seen and heard from my own reserve, including struggles with the residential schools, alcohol and drug addictions, unemployment issues… it’s celebrations like this that really strengthens that sense of nationalism, that makes the fight a lot more bearable. Piikani Nation’s Chief Gayle Strikes With a Gun would like to encourage everyone to come to next year’s celebration, and to enjoy the pancake breakfasts!

Tipi village at Crowlodge Park
C. Davis photo

C. Davis photo

Friendly security
C. Davis photo

C. Davis photo

C. Davis photo

The 2012 Piikani Nation Royalty:

Miss Piikani Nation: Jasmine Crowchief
Dance Award: Jasmine Crowchief
Talent Award: Jasmine Crowchief
Public Speaking Award: Jasmine Crowchief

Jr. Miss Piikani Nation: Maddison Little Mustache-Scout
1st Runner Up: Natasha Woitte
Dance Award: Peyton Smith
Talent Award: Natasha Woitte
Public Speaking Award: Maddison Little Mustache-Scout

Little Miss Piikani Nation: Erin Little Leaf-Smith
1st Runner Up: Gracie Grier
Dance Award: Erin Little Leaf-Smith
Talent Award: Erin Little Leaf-Smith
Public Speaking Award: Erin Little Leaf-Smith

Related links:
Piikani Nation 55th Annual Celebration on Facebook
www.piikanination.com