Calgary Stampede’s Indian Village re-named Elbow River Camp

It’s a name that means tradition for some, and controversy for others.

On the final day of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, officials announced the Indian Village would be getting a new name: the Elbow River Camp.

The title of Indian Princess will also be changed.

“Personally, I’ve experienced a lot of confrontation around the name, and it’s become very hard for me to explain it in a way that people will understand,” 2018 Indian Princess Cieran Starlight said.

“Coming from a tipi-owning family, we know the name Indian Village and that’s something that’s really hard for us to let go of, but I believe in the future, especially for the young girls that come into the role next, it’s just a way for us to make it easier on them and make people who are non-Indigenous more comfortable in addressing us as our title,” she said.

The Calgary Stampede landmark has been known as the Indian Village since 1912, but it moved to a new space last year.

There have been discussions about changing the moniker among tipi owners before, but this is the first time they’ve all come to an agreement on the decision.

“Within the camp, we all put names forward from each tipi, and then from that, we whittled it down to two names: it was Elbow River Camp or Treaty 7 Camp,” Tipi Owner Michael Meguinis said.

“So, everybody had a word in it, everybody had their say. So, everybody is comfortable — with this name.”

Elbow River Camp has historical significance.

The name for Calgary in Dene, Stoney and Blackfoot languages all refer to a bend in the river.

“A long time ago in the sign languages between all the nations — you’d be riding along and half a mile away you’d be doing sign language, and you’re asking where you’re going, and all they do is do this,” Meguinis said, bending his elbow.

“And then you know where you’re going.”

The name change is effective immediately, but officials say it may take a while before all the signage is updated.