Tuesday 22 March 2011

Indian Village at Calgary Stampede


Thought I'd share the photos of the Indian Village encampment which I took last July at the Calgary Stampede. When we visited, most of the teepees were closed so we couldn't go inside. But the exteriors were interesting enough!

The Indian Village has its own stage for dancing and musical performances. They also sell bannock and tea. But we were there too early for any of those activities.

It was cold and rainy that day too, as you can see from the overcast sky. The next day it was scorching hot -- one extreme to another!

[All photos © 2010 Debra She Who Seeks]

31 comments:

CorvusCorax12 said...

great pictures...love the color and art

mxtodis123 said...

You must have had a great time. We used to go to an old Indian Village. I loved it....especially the little store where I could get the most exquisite beadwork.
Mary

mermaid gallery said...

beautiful teepees.....Calgary weather is like that...hot cold....must have been a little chilly when the pics were taken...looks like a camping morning.....

Corinna said...

I'd love to camp out in one of those, with Peyote, bannock and tea. Beautiful artistic expression.

BugginWord said...

Yay stampedes! Are those pygmy tee pees? Also, what's the difference between a wigwam and a teepee?

Jeanne said...

Love those tipis! We owned a tipi when we live in Colorado. Our boys has tons of fun with their friends in the 'cool clubhouse'. Later, after the boys outgrew it, a friend of ours spent the winter in it and totally enjoyed it! Ours was made of canvas and not buffalo hide.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Hi Bugginword -- I don't know if there's any difference between a wigwam and a teepee. I always thought they were just different words for the same things. I suspect wigwam may be the word used by eastern tribes and teepee by western tribes.

Sarah Sullivan said...

Oh ohoh how cool is that!! We have lots of Powwows here..love them. I was wondering Debra..may I copy one of those photos to draw from..have a picture rolling around in my head? LOL..what's new huh?
Still giggling over the baby!
Hugs hon, Sarah

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Of course, Sarah! It's an honour to help with your art, even in this small way!

Southpaw said...

Very cool. At least you got bannocks and tea!

Kathy said...

So cool! We have some kind of event that goes on every summer with this kind of thing but I've never been. I think I'll go next time they have one.

Unknown said...

The winters/springs are like that too around here - nice one day, cold the next. We have a saying "if you don't like the weather, wait a minute - it will change"....

Glad you enjoyed the grounds when you were here.

Anonymous said...

They're so beautiful! I'm hoping to go this year and spend the day :)

Suzie Ridler said...

Love it! They are gorgeous and fascinating Debra, thank you for sharing. I think I would prefer to hang out here than at all the craziness of the stampede!

Kal said...

mmmmmmm bannock. I loves me some bannock.

Unknown said...

They're beautiful. I'd love to take a peek inside :-)

Laura said...

I love the colors!

yellowdoggranny said...

how cool...
there used to be a road side motel someplace between here and calif and all the rooms were teepees. we stayed in them once and as much fun as it was..the rooms were pretty crappy..

SUZY8-TRACK said...

Great photos! Love the teepees!

Mistress Maddie said...

I don't think I have ever been there, but boy does it look and sound famaliar!

Cindy said...

I have never been to the Calgary Stampede, I must get there one of these years. thanks for sharing the photos. lovely.

laughingwolf said...

in all my years in alberta, the weather was never consistent... other than for a few days... in winter!

Wendy said...

The N. American culture and spirituality is one I've always revered highly and have been blessed to walk upon a while ago. I was so lucky to have spent a night in a tee pee in Montana years ago and LOVED it. These pictures brought me right back to those times. Thank you for the gorgeous photos. I hope we get to hear more about your experience there.

Suzie said...

Do they actually camp out there in the teepees during the festival, or are these all for display? I LOVE the graphics that they have painted on them!

Wigwams are an eastern tribal form of housing, and they are make of branches formed and bent into an inverted bowl shape.. long tunnels of this form were called lodge houses, with multiple families living in different sections of the same shelter. But wigwams were smaller, single family dwellings. Or for women during their powerful "Moontime" They were covered in sheets of bark, woven cattails and hides to block out the wind, rain and snow.

There used to be a lot of Traditional Pow Wows around here, but many ran into problems of insurance expenses, etc. and then more of the young people wanted were leaning toward the competition powwows, where they could win cash prizes for their dancing and Regalia. And with the increased price of gasoline over the years, I guess I can't blame them for wanting to cover their costs of traveling the circuit. But it is rather sad to see the Tradition fade.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Hi Suzie -- I believe some (if not all) of the teepees are in use for camping during the Stampede. Thanks for the info on wigwams and how they differ!

fromsophiesview said...

Fascinating colours and design...BIG LIKE!

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

love this !!!

happy to see you at Farmhouse Kitchen,my friend

kary and teddy
xxx

Jim said...

Amazing structures! The Mi`kmaq had a similar display last summer in Halifax.

karen said...

Pretty cool! I'd love to sleep in one of those! I once went to Calgary for rodeo....your right on about the weather there.

Christian Bunny Gurl said...

Hello Debra, I luv the pictured of the Tipis and posted them on my 'Pinterest' My brother has a group he is starting up calle 'Tipi Village'. I am asking permission to keep the pics up. If not just let me know and I will remove them. Wado, Wonderful Pics... <3

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Hi Christian Bunny Gurl -- Sure, go ahead! Just link back to my blog, okay? I'm glad you like these photos.