Blackfoot Arts and Heritage Festival attracts 300 visitors to Waterton Park

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Shelly Mercer, Parks Canada, photo

The Blackfoot Arts and Heritage Festival was held at Waterton Lakes National Park August 2 - 4 at the Waterton School community field.

Artist Lance Tail Feathers and Cultural Society Executive Director Mary Ann Crow Healy welcomed over 300 people who came to participate, learn, and enjoy at this first-time event.  With over 70 dancers and three drum groups representing the Blackfoot Nation, this was a spectacular festival.  Dancers came from the Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, Cree, Nakoda Sioux (Stoney), Coeur D'alene, Oglala Sioux, Spokane, Arikara, and Tsimshian tribes, participating in either the youth or adult exhibition dancing, showing their skills to an appreciative audience.


The dignitaries mixed with royalty, as Miss Teen Southern Alberta Deserae Tailfeathers, Miss Kainai Shaquille Day Chief, and Miss Blackfoot Canada Jr. Malayia Red Guns were in attendance, along with Siksika Chief Fred Rabbit Carrier, Kainai Councillor Jim Gladstone, and Piikani Elder Gilbert Provost.  Mountain Parks Executive Director Tracy Theisen, and Waterton Lakes National Park Superintendent Dave McDonough also attended the ceremonies and festivities.

Shelly Mercer, Parks Canada, photo

An art exhibit was held nearby, indoors at the Lion’s Hall. Curated by Debbie Kelman, it featured work by Blackfoot artists Kelman, Val Good Rider, Valentina LaPier, and Henry Standing Alone.  It attracted the attention of many visitors, with Kelman and Good Rider on hand to greet people and answer questions.

 The event was a co-operative effort between Parks Canada Waterton Lakes National Parks staff and the Blackfoot Canadian Cultural Society.  Parks Canada is celebrating 100 years, and the event reflected the longstanding relationship between the organization and Blackfoot culture. Visitor Experience Product Development Officer Christy Gustavison had a very positive outlook on the whole venture. "This is the first year for this event, so we will have to evaluate it," she said.  "We did have an excellent turnout and a great response from the public.  It was a unique opportunity visitors to the region to experience Blackfoot culture, and for those of the Blackfoot Nation to represent themselves to the visiting public."

Relevant links
www.blackfoot.ca
www.parkscanada.gc.ca
mywaterton.ca