The Honouring Traditions & Reconciliation Society is holding its third annual Powwow and Artisan Expo. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Honouring Traditions Powwow returns to Lethbridge, now including Princess Pageant

Sep 5, 2025 | 12:45 PM

The Honouring Traditions and Reconciliation Society (HTRS) is bringing one of its signature events back to Lethbridge.

It is set to hold the third annual Powwow and Artisan Expo from September 10-14, 2025.

Theron Black, President of the HTRS, says it is a positive place where people of all backgrounds can come together to learn and celebrate.

“When we do these events, it’s not just for the Indigenous population – it’s for the non-Indigenous, who are also invited to be part of those events we hold throughout the year,” says Black.

He adds, “We really like to give a shoutout to the people who are coming to these events, you know, to start learning about our culture. A lot of times, too, they learn and, sometimes, they kind of get emotional because they’ve learned a different way of thinking and the truth of who we are as people.”

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The schedule of events, which are all free to attend, is as follows:

• Wednesday, Sept. 10
  • 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Honouring Traditions and Reconciliation Princess Pageant at CASA
• Thursday, Sept. 11
  • 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – The Path of the Iinnil: Buffalo Teachers at Galt Gardens
• Friday, Sept. 12
  • 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Journey to the Red Road: Blackfoot Voices of Recovery at CASA
  • 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. – Indigenous Fashion Show at CASA
• Saturday, Sept. 13
  • 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Honouring Traditions Powwow and Artisan Expo (Day 1) at Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre
• Sunday, Sept. 14
  • 10:00 a.m. – Powwow Run/Walk 2 km / 5 km at Henderson Lake
  • 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Honouring Traditions Powwow and Artisan Expo (Day 1) at Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre

Selena Medicine Shield is the coordinator for the Princess Pageant, and says it will be a great place for the community to come together.

She is a former Princess herself and says the experience helped her and has helped other young Indigenous women and girls to feel empowered.

“I feel like it really builds your confidence and it really helps you lean into your own culture and your own traditions with your community,” says Medicine Shield.

The Honouring Traditions and Reconciliation Society is an Indigenous-led organization working in collaboration with Elders to honour and celebrate Indigenous people of the past, present, and future.