Whoop-Up Days 2025 will have an expanded focus on Indigenous programming. (Photo: Dave Macmillan)

By David Opinko

Whoop-Up Days to feature increased Blackfoot programming

Aug 7, 2025 | 10:27 AM

Indigenous programming and culture will be on display at Lethbridge’s largest summer festival.

Lethbridge & District Exhibition (LDE) has announced that the 2025 edition of Whoop-Up Days will feature a greater emphasis on Blackfoot culture.

Armond Duck Chief, a country singer from the Siksika Nation, will return as the inaugural headliner of the new Siksikaitsitapi Music Showcase on Tuesday, August 19. He was previously a headlining act for the Original 16 Stage in 2023.

The Siksikaitsitapi Music Showcase is an expanded Indigenous Marketplace with a full day of entertainment.

Paul Kingsmith, LDE’s Director of Event Development, says Blackfoot culture is southern Alberta culture, and he believes that it is important to represent this in meaningful and authentic ways.

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“The Siksikaitsitapi Powwow and Princess Pageant, plus the relay races during the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo have become staples at the show, while we are very excited to introduce the new music showcase and expand the Indigenous Marketplace and Original 16 Stage entertainment,” says Kingsmith. “We are grateful to the Blackfoot Confederacy for their continued support and partnership.”

Highlights of the 2025 Indigenous programming at Whoop-Up Days include:

• Siksikaitsitapi Princess Pageant: Competitors in three age groups showcase their talents in competition to be named Siksikaitsitapi Princesses for the upcoming year. Starting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19 in the KB Heating Hall of the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre, everyone is welcome to observe the competition.
• Siksikaitsitapi Powwow: Colourful celebrations and centuries of history come alive at the Siksikaitsitapi Powwow, where dancers and drummers from across North America compete for cash prizes. Beginning at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 20 and Thursday, Aug. 21 in the KB Heating Hall of the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre, the Powwow is included with Whoop-Up Days admission and is open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to stop in and learn more about this powerful tradition.
• Siksikaitsitapi Music Showcase: A new event at Whoop-Up Days, the high energy music showcase will be headlined by Juno Award nominee Armond Duck Chief and will also feature performances by other Blackfoot artists. Included with Whoop-Up Days admission, the showcase runs from 6-10 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19 in the KB Heating Hall of the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre.
• Indigenous Marketplace: Organized by Sinopaa Community Services, the marketplace features dozens of authentic Indigenous vendors selling crafts, clothing, beadwork and more. Proceeds from the marketplace will support Sinopaa in its mandate to provide cultural, artistic, recreational and social activities for Indigenous and/or First Nation communities and families from those communities. Included with Whoop-Up Days admission, the marketplace runs from noon-11 p.m. from Tuesday, Aug. 19 to Thursday Aug. 21 in the KB Heating Hall of the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre.
• Original 16 Stage: Expanding on a partnership that has showcased Indigenous artists on the Original 16 Stage over the past two years, all stage entertainment on Thursday, Aug. 21 will be presented by the BFC and PCL Construction. Headlined by Cree Métis blues rocker Bebe Buckskin, the evening will also feature performances from Willy Big Bull and Winter Count, the BFC All-Star Band, and other local artists. Included with Whoop-Up Days admission, the entertainment runs from 6:30-11 p.m.
• Relay Races: Relay Races are a fan favourite event at the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo. Catch the excitement, where bareback riders leap from one galloping horse to another in a frenzied race to the finish line. It’s a dynamic, high-stakes competition that honors the rich equestrian traditions of Indigenous culture. Running from Aug. 21-23, the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo is the country’s only CPRA rodeo to feature Relay Races as part of the event.

Kirby Smith, Director of Intergovernmental Relations with the Blackfoot Confederacy, says he has enjoyed having positive engagement with LDE over the last four years.

He adds that he looks forward to continuing to expand that partnership.

“Next year will mark the five-year anniversary of our engagement and we are open to partnering on more activities that will bring even more people into the celebrations,” says Smith.

Whoop-Up Days runs August 19-23, 2025.

More pre-Whoop-Up Days coverage below:

Whoop-Up Days returns Aug. 19-23, 2025

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