Whoop-Up Days celebrates Blackfoot culture with increased programming

Posted on August 15, 2025 by admin

Lethbridge and District Exhibition

The return of Juno Award nominated singer-songwriter Armond Duck Chief to Whoop-Up Days is one of the highlights of an expanded partnership between Lethbridge & District Exhibition (LDE) and the Blackfoot Confederacy (BFC) at this year’s Whoop-Up Days. Duck Chief, a country singer from the Siksika Nation headlined the Original 16 Stage in 2023 and this year returns as the inaugural headliner of the new Siksikaitsitapi Music Showcase on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

The Siksikaitsitapi Music Showcase, an expanded Indigenous Marketplace and a full-day of entertainment on the Original 16 Stage presented by PCL Construction highlight the expansion of Indigenous programming at Whoop-Up Days from Aug. 19-23. In addition, favourites such as the Siksikaitsitapi Princess Pageant and Powwow and Relay Races during the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo return to thrill visitors during southwestern Alberta’s largest summer fair.

The partnership between LDE and the BFC dates back to 2022, when the first Siksikaitsitapi Powwow and Princess Pageant during Whoop-Up Days celebrated Blackfoot culture through traditional celebrations. The partnership has only expanded since then with the two groups finding new and innovative ways to work together.

“Blackfoot culture is southern Alberta culture and it’s important to us that we represent this in meaningful and authentic ways at Whoop-Up Days, during our largest celebration of the year,” says Paul Kingsmith, Director of Event Development, Lethbridge & District Exhibition. “The Siksikaitsitapi Powwow and Princess Pageant, plus the relay races during the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo have become staples at the show, while we are very excited to introduce the new music showcase and expand the Indigenous Marketplace and Original 16 Stage entertainment. We are grateful to the Blackfoot Confederacy for their continued support and partnership.”

Not only is the Indigenous Marketplace expanding, as it will now run from Aug. 19-21 from noon to 11 p.m., in conjunction with the Siksikaitsitapi Princess Pageant, Powwow and Music Showcase, but it is also being used to support the local community. The market is being organized by Sinopaa Community Services, an organization dedicated to providing cultural, artistic, recreational and social activities for Indigenous and/or First Nation communities and families from those communities. Proceeds from the market will go to support Sinopaa in its objectives.

“We’ve enjoyed a positive engagement with Lethbridge & District Exhibition over the last four years and are looking forward to continuing this partnership,” says Kirby Smith, Director of Inter-Governmental Relations, Blackfoot Confederacy. “Next year will mark the five-year anniversary of our engagement and we are open to partnering on more activities that will bring even more people into the celebrations.”

Highlights of the 2025 Indigenous programming at Whoop-Up Days includes:

• Siksikaitsitapi Princess Pageant: Competitors in three age groups showcase their talents in competition to be named Siksikaitsitapi Princesses for the upcoming year. Starting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19 in the KB Heating Hall of the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre, everyone is welcome to observe the competition.

• Siksikaitsitapi Powwow: Colourful celebrations and centuries of history come alive at the Siksikaitsitapi Powwow, where dancers and drummers from across North America compete for cash prizes. Beginning at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 20 and Thursday, Aug. 21 in the KB Heating Hall of the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre, the Powwow is included with Whoop-Up Days admission and is open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to stop in and learn more about this powerful tradition.

• Siksikaitsitapi Music Showcase: A new event at Whoop-Up Days, the high energy music showcase will be headlined by Juno Award nominee Armond Duck Chief and will also feature performances by other Blackfoot artists. Included with Whoop-Up Days admission, the showcase runs from 6-10 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19 in the KB Heating Hall of the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre.

• Indigenous Marketplace: Organized by Sinopaa Community Services, the marketplace features dozens of authentic Indigenous vendors selling crafts, clothing, beadwork and more. Proceeds from the marketplace will support Sinopaa in its mandate to provide cultural, artistic, recreational and social activities for Indigenous and/or First Nation communities and families from those communities. Included with Whoop-Up Days admission, the marketplace runs from noon-11 p.m. from Tuesday, Aug. 19 to Thursday Aug. 21 in the KB Heating Hall of the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre.

• Original 16 Stage: Expanding on a partnership that has showcased Indigenous artists on the Original 16 Stage over the past two years, all stage entertainment on Thursday, Aug. 21 will be presented by the BFC and PCL Construction. Headlined by Cree Métis blues rocker Bebe Buckskin, the evening will also feature performances from Willy Big Bull and Winter Count, the BFC All-Star Band, and other local artists. Included with Whoop-Up Days admission, the entertainment runs from 6:30-11 p.m.

• Relay Races: Relay Races are a fan favourite event at the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo. Catch the excitement, where bareback riders leap from one galloping horse to another in a frenzied race to the finish line. It’s a dynamic, high-stakes competition that honors the rich equestrian traditions of Indigenous culture. Running from Aug. 21-23, the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo is the country’s only CPRA rodeo to feature Relay Races as part of the event.

 Learn more at whoopupdays.ca.