Oki, last week the Blood Tribe Communications team was on location in Lethbridge, AB. to cover this year’s Whoop-Up Days celebrations. The events kicked off on Tuesday with the parade. This year featured several floats representing both the Blood Tribe and Blackfoot Confederacy, including entries from Blood Tribe Lands Management, Blood Tribe Recreation and Parks, The Blackfoot Confederacy, and the Sik-ooh-kotoki Friendship Centre. Spectators lined the streets of the parade route to cheer on the festive floats.
The Siksikaitsitapi Pageant also began later that day at Lethbridge Exhibition Ground’s Agrifood Hub. The crowning ceremony took place the following afternoon during day one of the Siksikaitsitapi Powwow. Emma Mountain Horse, Aubree Daniels, and Taka’sa Daniels took home the honours and were named Miss Siksikaitsitapi in the Senior, Junior, and Tiny-Tots categories, respectively.
The Siksikaitsitapi Powwow ran for two days, August 20 – 21, 2025. The event featured eight drum groups and included intertribal, exhibition, and competition dances across all categories. One of the powwow’s highlights was a Hat and Boots special in honour of Mirabel Good Striker. Tony Delaney, Eldon Weasel Child, and Chief Travis Plaited Hair provided MC duties and kept the crowd entertained and the events on schedule. This year also featured the Siksikaitsitapi Marketplace, where Indigenous vendors, many of them local, sold gifts, crafts, supplies for regalia, and much more.
On Thursday August 21, 2025, Blackfoot Confederacy Entertainment presented by PCL Construction hosted a trio of rocking bands at The Whoop-Up Days’ Original 16 Stage. The show opened with a performance by the BFC All Stars, followed by Willy Big Bull and the Wintercount, and the show closed with Cree/Metis artist Bebe Buckskin. The showcase provided an opportunity for talented Indigenous artists to share their music with fans both old and new. A special thanks to Blackfoot Confederacy Entertainment for organizing this line-up of amazing Indigenous musicians.
The Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo took place over four days. One of Whoop-Up Days’ main attractions, this year’s events included several Blood Tribe members: Rayne Bruised Head competed in Ladies Breakaway Roping, Kale Day Chief and Elliot Penner in Team Roping, and Shane Day Chief in Steer Wrestling. Each night concluded with the always exciting Indian Relay races called by Floyd Big Head.
From the rides to the rodeo, and the powwow to the food trucks, we here at Blood Tribe Administration hope everyone from back home had a safe and electrifying week at Whoop-Up Days. And to all the visitors from abroad, we hope you enjoyed a taste of Blackfoot culture that was on display. We also offer a special thank you to The Blackfoot Confederacy, Blood Tribe Chief and Council, all Blood Tribe Department and Entity staff that participated, the staff and volunteers of Lethbridge and District Exhibition, and all the sponsors and visitors who made this memorable week possible. We hope to see you all again next year. Kiitaakiitaamatsiin.
