Stone Pipe Days Powwow recognizes a special gift

By Lethbridge Herald on March 27, 2026.

Herald Photo by Joe Manio Indigenous dancers compete in the girls 'fancy' category during the Stone Pipe Days celebration at Lethbridge Polytechnic Thursday.

By Alexandra Noad

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter- Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge Polytechnic held its annual Stone Pipe Days Powwow yesterday to commemorate the stone pipe gift it was given over nine years ago.

This Powwow is a celebration of the institution receiving the Blackfoot name Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan (Stone Pipe) and being gifted a stone pipe from Peter Weasel Moccasin in October 2017.

Jordan Head, cultural advisor for Lethbridge Polytechnic says the powwow stems from the 94 Call to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and is an event for all students to enjoy.

“This Powwow is interactive so for some of these dances, we’re going to invited everybody to come to the dance floor, show them how to do the dances and then go from there.”

He adds with students attending the polytechnic from across the world, this was a way they could experience Blackfoot culture.

The Polytechnic will finish off the week of events tomorrow with traditional games demonstration and a performance by DerRic Starlight, a puppeteer from the Tsuut’ina Nation west of Calgary.