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The Original 16 Stage at Whoop-Up was rocking last night with voices from the Blackfoot Confederacy. The lineup of artists included local talent Willy Big Bull and Wintercount, Ekkohs and Bebe Buckskin. Big Bull says these types of events can help kick-start a musician’s careers and over the last four years he has watched several musicians flourish thanks to the Original 16 Stage. “I’ve watched a few of these artists go from just the beginning stages of playing with other musicians and playing solo and then watch them develop little groups of their own and since then they’ve been getting up on the stages beyond Whoop-Up Days.” One of these bands was Ekkohs a brother-and-sister duo who had a couple of their cousins join in. Lexxington Many Heads, along with her brother Hudson, share lead vocals, following their grandfather’s footsteps by pursuing music. They got inspiration from one of his songs for the name of their band. Hudson says while his grandfather went through many trials, including residential schools, he took the pain he experienced and took out on a healthy outlet. “(My grandpa) is a man to follow in his footsteps because he didn’t take things where he could lose himself or create a bigger hole, instead he took it out on outlets such as music.” Lexxington says being able to perform at Whoop-Up Days was an honour and knew her grandpa would be very proud. It was Riley Melting Tallow’s first show as bass player for the band who says it was an honour to represent both his grandfather and also his reserve. For Ekkohs, music has not only helped them connect with their heritage but also with their Blackfoot culture through sharing the language. Lexxington says pursuing music and writing songs was the gateway to learning the Blackfoot language. “It catapulted me into being able to learn my main language more, sitting with my grandma and learning simple Blackfoot words to start out with and then being able to say phrases in Blackfoot.” One of their current songs has a Blackfoot word in it and they are planning on releasing a song in Blackfoot in the near future. All of Ekkohs’ music can be found on Apple Music and Spotify.

Alexandra Noad Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Original 16 Stage at Whoop-Up was rocking last night with voices from the Blackfoot Confederacy. The lineup of artists included local talent Willy Big Bull and Wintercount, Ekkohs and Bebe Buckskin. Big Bull says these types of events can help kick-start a musician’s careers and over

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Local News

Schools team up for Whoop-Up breakfast
Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Lethbridge Herald Lethbridge Polytechnic and the University of Lethbridge joined forces once again to offer a free pancake breakfast, games and entertainment for the community on Friday. For the third year in a row, staff members, mascots and volunteers from both institutions gathered at Casa’s Rotary Square to provide a free breakfast for ... Read More »
1 day ago
The Original 16 Stage at Whoop-Up was rocking last night with voices from the Blackfoot Confederacy. The lineup of artists included local talent Willy Big Bull and Wintercount, Ekkohs and Bebe Buckskin. Big Bull says these types of events can help kick-start a musician’s careers and over the last four years he has watched several musicians flourish thanks to the Original 16 Stage. “I’ve watched a few of these artists go from just the beginning stages of playing with other musicians and playing solo and then watch them develop little groups of their own and since then they’ve been getting up on the stages beyond Whoop-Up Days.” One of these bands was Ekkohs a brother-and-sister duo who had a couple of their cousins join in. Lexxington Many Heads, along with her brother Hudson, share lead vocals, following their grandfather’s footsteps by pursuing music. They got inspiration from one of his songs for the name of their band. Hudson says while his grandfather went through many trials, including residential schools, he took the pain he experienced and took out on a healthy outlet. “(My grandpa) is a man to follow in his footsteps because he didn’t take things where he could lose himself or create a bigger hole, instead he took it out on outlets such as music.” Lexxington says being able to perform at Whoop-Up Days was an honour and knew her grandpa would be very proud. It was Riley Melting Tallow’s first show as bass player for the band who says it was an honour to represent both his grandfather and also his reserve. For Ekkohs, music has not only helped them connect with their heritage but also with their Blackfoot culture through sharing the language. Lexxington says pursuing music and writing songs was the gateway to learning the Blackfoot language. “It catapulted me into being able to learn my main language more, sitting with my grandma and learning simple Blackfoot words to start out with and then being able to say phrases in Blackfoot.” One of their current songs has a Blackfoot word in it and they are planning on releasing a song in Blackfoot in the near future. All of Ekkohs’ music can be found on Apple Music and Spotify.
Alexandra Noad Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Original 16 Stage at Whoop-Up was rocking last night with voices from the Blackfoot Confederacy. The lineup of artists included local talent Willy Big Bull and Wintercount, Ekkohs and Bebe Buckskin. Big Bull says these types of events can help kick-start a musician’s careers and over ... Read More »
1 day ago
Local vendors benefit from fair’s marketplace
Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Lethbridge Herald For many, Whoop-Up Days is a place for entertainment, food and rides, but for many local vendors and community groups, it offers an opportunity to showcase what they have to offer. Hollie Hanson, owner of Holli Hanson Hobbies, a first-time vendor at Whoop-Up Days, said the opportunity to showcase her product ... Read More »
1 day ago

Local Sports

Kodiaks to find success through many areas
By Justin Seward Lethbridge Herald The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks men’s soccer team will rely on their up-front skill and new players filling big roles to play a big part in their success in the upcoming ACAC season. “We’ve got a lot of good dynamic players upfront that I think are gonna cause the other teams ... Read More »
2 days ago
Saddle Bronc rider cherished rodeo clown opportunity
By Justin Seward Lethbridge Herald Professional Saddle Bronc rider Kolby Wanchuk had an exciting path in and around the rodeo circles. The now 28-year-old Sherwood Park rider who know resides in Stettler is the son of well-known rodeo clown, Ricky Ticky, who he helped at a young age at rodeos and other community events. “He’s ... Read More »
2 days ago
Kodiaks to lean on experience
By Justin Seward Lethbridge Herald The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks women’s soccer team have been on the pitch for a couple of weeks preparing for the upcoming ACAC season and will look to their experience to lead the way this year. The women have a vast majority of their players returning this season and have some ... Read More »
3 days ago

Opinions

Parents guide a child’s academic success
Michael Zwaagstra Troy Media With a new school year just around the corner, it’s up to parents to lay the foundation for their children’s success by choosing the right school and staying engaged with teachers. Obviously, everyone wants their kids to have a smooth transition back to school. For those who are attending a school ... Read More »
1 day ago
Let’s align on health care, not just trade
Kathleen Barnard and Louise Binder Quoi Media We can borrow a line from Charles Dickens to describe our current sate of politics in this country: ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.’ The ‘worst of times’ describes well the international trade turmoil caused by U.S. President Trump’s fluctuating tariffs and ... Read More »
2 days ago
What’s really behind Alberta ‘independence?’
Catherine Mardon For the Herald I was born in the United States, but I realized recently that I rarely think like an American anymore. I certainly don’t think like a MAGA American. My two decades as a Canadian have changed my thoughts on many issues. I never thought I’d live without a firearm in my ... Read More »
3 days ago

Letters to The Editor

It takes some effort but you can free yourself from anger
Editor, Scott Sakatch’s column talking about angry people (Aug. 13) was interesting. I think COVID shutting everyone in for almost two years continues to spill out residue with regard to loss, loneliness, lack of family celebrations etc. Sometimes spouses or family members have health issues that take their toll on the family and very worrisome. ... Read More »
1 day ago
UCP just keeps doing things Albertans never asked for
Editor, I am writing this to express my dissatisfaction with the present Alberta UCP government and Premier Danielle Smith. This government continues to ignore the majority of Albertans by attempting to appease the minority base of the party. They continue to further and/or invent asinine ideas and projects even when the courts and the populace ... Read More »
2 days ago
What does one gain by venting their negative thoughts?
Editor, Wow! Scott Sakatch’s column in the August 13 Herald was a “comeuppance article.” Well-written, insightful, intelligent, unbiased and hard-hitting. Finally, somebody stating the way of the world today and how people are choosing to inhabit it. It was so refreshing to read this perspective from an individual and from different points in his life. Good on ya, ... Read More »
4 days ago