I step onto the grounds of Galt Gardens as the morning light dapples through the cottonwoods. It’s early September in Lethbridge, and the air carries that particular Alberta crispness that signals summer’s gradual surrender. But today, the park pulses with energy as Blackfoot drummers create a heartbeat that seems to rise from the earth itself.
“This is how we’ve always gathered,” Elder Peter Standing Alone tells me as we watch young dancers prepare for the opening ceremony of Indigenous Culture Week. “The drum connects us to our ancestors and to each other. This isn’t just performance—it’s continuity.”
Indigenous Culture Week has become the cornerstone of Lethbridge’s participation in Alberta Culture Month, transforming the city into a vibrant showcase of Blackfoot heritage and contemporary Indigenous artistic expression. The weeklong celebration, running September 8-14, 2025, represents a significant evolution in how the city acknowledges its place on traditional Blackfoot territory.
“Ten years ago, you wouldn’t have seen anything like this,” says Camina Round Dance, director of the Saikoyi Cultural Centre and lead organizer of the events. “Now we have the mayor, the university president, and business leaders all participating. But more importantly, we have families coming together to share knowledge across generations.”
The 2025 program builds on previous years’ successes while introducing several new elements. Events range from traditional ceremonies to contemporary art installations, with particular emphasis on youth engagement and knowledge transmission.
The schedule includes daily workshops on traditional practices—from beadwork to language lessons—hosted at the newly expanded Southern Alberta Art Gallery’s Indigenous wing. Evening performances will feature both traditional music and modern Indigenous artists, including Blackfoot hip-hop collective Moccasin Flats and acclaimed cellist Celeigh Cardinal.
What distinguishes this celebration from typical cultural festivals is its deep community roots. When I visited planning meetings back in April, I observed elders and youth collaborating on programming decisions, ensuring authentic representation rather than performative displays for tourists.
“We’re not putting our culture in a museum case,” explains Napi Yellowhorn, a 19-year-old student volunteer. “These are living traditions that have adapted for generations. I’m learning iPhone filmmaking techniques from professionals, but using those skills to document my grandmother’s stories about plants and medicines.”
This integration of traditional knowledge and contemporary expression reflects broader cultural resilience. A 2023 study from the University of Lethbridge’s Indigenous Studies department found that cultural continuity serves as a protective factor against mental health challenges among Indigenous youth, with participation in traditional activities correlating with significantly improved wellbeing outcomes.
The economic impact shouldn’t be overlooked either. According to Travel Alberta, Indigenous tourism generated approximately $166 million provincially in 2024, with cultural events playing a crucial role in attracting visitors. Lethbridge’s tourism office estimates Indigenous Culture Week will bring approximately 5,000 visitors to the city, with many staying for multiple days.
“These events create meaningful exchange,” explains Melissa Many Grey Horses, economic development officer with the Kainai Nation. “Visitors learn about our cultures while supporting Indigenous-owned businesses. The beading cooperative alone sold over $30,000 in artwork last year.”
For the Blackfoot nations—Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika—whose traditional territories encompass Lethbridge, the celebration represents both cultural affirmation and economic opportunity. But participants emphasize that public education remains a primary goal.
“Many Albertans still don’t understand the treaty relationships that allow us all to live here,” says Dr. Leroy Little Bear, distinguished Blackfoot scholar and elder. “These events create spaces for learning that goes beyond the superficial. When people participate in our ceremonies or hear our stories, they begin to understand their own place in this shared history.”
The week will conclude with a community feast featuring traditional foods prepared by Indigenous chefs from across the province, including dishes made with locally harvested ingredients. This connection to the land remains central to Indigenous identities, even as cultural expressions evolve.
As the sun sets on my visit to the preparation grounds, I watch young dancers practicing in regalia beside elders sharing stories. Children weave between practice sessions, absorbing culture through osmosis. There’s something powerful in this intergenerational tableau—not a performance for outsiders, but a community nurturing its own future.
“When I was growing up, speaking our language or practicing our ways could get you in trouble,” Standing Alone tells me before I leave. “Now I watch my great-grandchildren dancing proudly in the middle of this city. That’s what healing looks like.”
Indigenous Culture Week events run September 8-14, 2025, at various locations throughout Lethbridge. Most events are free, though some workshops require registration due to limited capacity. A complete schedule is available through the Saikoyi Cultural Centre and Tourism Lethbridge websites. Visitors are asked to approach all ceremonial events with respect and to follow guidelines from Indigenous hosts.
