Exhibition wins Spirit of Reconciliation award

By RY CLARKE on November 1, 2022.

Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce held its Lethbridge Business Awards on Thursday handing out awards in categories like People’s Choice, Best Creative Marketing Strategy, Young Entrepreneur.

Among the awards handed out, the Lethbridge and District Exhibition Centre won the Spirit of Reconciliation Award for its collaborative partnership with the Blackfoot Confederacy on the Siksikaitsitapi Powwow and Princess Pageant.

“It was completely unexpected,” said Mike Warkentin, CEO of the Exhibition Centre. “There is a lot of groups doing really good things in the community in terms of reconciliation. For us to win this, shows our commitment of reconnecting with the Blackfoot community here in southern Alberta.”

The powwow was held during this year’s Whoop-Up Days from Aug. 24-25, the first one to be held during the event which formed a partnership between the Blackfoot Confederacy and the Exhibition.

“It was the anchor to our Indigenous portfolio,” said Warkentin. “We had $65,000 in prize money for powwow contestants, nine different drum groups, two of which were Grammy nominated, and around 200 dance contestants with tremendous caliber across multiple categories.”

Included in the event was Warrior Relay Races as part of the rodeo, showcasing Indigenous culture across the grounds.

“From a programming standpoint, we had a significant influx of Indigenous programming,” said Warkentin. “It’s the right thing to do. We are more than an event centre, we are a community gathering place. As I said during my acceptance speech, our goal is to not be a community that has a reservation next to it. Our goal is to be one community within southern Alberta. That is what we are hoping for.”

Speaking to the Centre’s goals, Warkentin says they work under pillars of programming, placemaking, and community gathering.

“As an organization we are having conversations with our board of directors around making dedicated effects in this space,” said Warkentin. “People will see increased efforts into Indigenous programming over the next few years here. Along with elements of local Blackfoot culture in the building and being part of it.”

Winning the award has shown Warkentin and those at the Centre how their work contributes to reconciliation and builds on cultural bridges within the community.

“It is humbling to win this award,” said Warkentin. “It is truly inspiring to see the work that is being done with reconciliation. To see the work that is being done on local and private corporations here in Lethbridge is truly inspiring and really sets the bar higher.”