A pageant featuring Indigenous students took place at Strathmore High School on Thursday (Oct. 24).
The event was held at the school's theatre as several other schools took part, including Carseland, Westmount, Wheatland Crossing, and Crowther Memorial Junior High.
"The goal is to represent the schools at powwows, grand entries, and other events. It also helps to support the understanding of culture within their school. It's a bit of a leadership role," said Cori Hampson, director of learning with Golden Hills School Division.
The students took part in an introduction, a questioning period, and a talent show. The event included a variety of Indigenous dances, both traditional and contemporary.
The participants were judged by a panel including Elder Eileen Black, Siksika Councillors Samuel Crowfoot and Marsha Wolf Collar, and Strathmore's Indigenous Liaison Astokomii Smith.
"Their scores are tallied and that's how we come up with who gets to be the winner," added Hampson.
There were five sets of winners, with a princess and a warrior winning from each school.
The winners are:
Carseland School: Teigan Starlight and Alec Red Crow
Crowther Memorial Junior High School: Serenity Pretty Youngman and Jamin Black Rabbit
Strathmore High School: Trinity Pretty Youngman and Jerace Spotted Eagle
Westmount School: Amy Katona and Liam Breaker
Wheatland Crossing School: Urijah Yellow Old Woman and Karson Old Woman
Following the announcement there was an Elder blessing and honour song, closing remarks, and pictures with the winners.
"I really think there's a need for us to continue to bridge the relationship with Siksika and Strathmore, and I think our school division and schools play a key role in that," added Hampson. "It also gives our students an opportunity to build a cultural awareness and understanding within schools, so we get to start from the ground up with the lens of our students."
"Who better to share their culture with students than they themselves?"
This was the second combined pageant between the five schools held in Strathmore.
