Calgary Stampede Indian Princesses from previous years acted as honourary ambassadours during the 2008 Calgary Stampede.
The Calgary Stampede is strengthening the personal and professional development for its royal ambassadors. With additional public speaking training and support, the Royal Trio and Indian Princess will have new opportunities to serve as role models and representatives for their community.
Each year, these Stampede ambassadors make nearly 400 special appearances and speak with thousands of Calgarians and international visitors of all ages.
"Over the past six decades, these young women have been outstanding representatives for the Stampede and the city of Calgary," said Stampede Royalty committee chair Deb Ward. "We’re taking steps to ensure their year as an ambassador not only is positive and unique, it also provides training and tools that will help them achieve their goals in life."
“They are not only positive role models for their people, they are also important ambassadors for the First Nations Culture,” said Brian Wiese, co-chairman of the Indian Village Committee.
Both programs have moved their pageants from the spring to the fall, coinciding with the Stampede’s new Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship (CRTC), and will work together to deliver the new training programs.
In the case of the Royal Trio, this year a new queen and two princesses will be crowned on October 5, 2008 on the final Sunday of the CRTC, being held at the Corral on Stampede Park. Applications for the 2009 Royalty contest will be accepted until Friday, August 22, 2008.
To fulfill the role of Stampede ambassadors in the weeks leading up to, and after, the 2008 Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the Stampede has called upon six past royalty representatives: Caia Morstad (2007), Amanda Byrne (2007), Lauren MacLennan (2005), Justine Milner (2005), Coleen Crowe (2005), and Trina Percival (2003).
The 2009 Indian Princess will be crowned on Sunday, September 21. Applications will be accepted until Friday, September 5. Contact Jayne Nicholson at jnicholson@calgarystampede.com for more information.
Serving as Indian Princess ambassadors during this year’s Stampede will be four Princess alumni: Ivy Kim Scott-Friesen (1995), Nicole Yellow Old Woman-Curly Rider (1996), Gaylene Rose Weasel Child (1997), and Livia Joy Manywounds (2007).
