The Calgary Stampede has crowned Pacey Strangling Wolf as the 2025 First Nations Princess.
The competition on Sunday (Nov. 17) included cultural knowledge, traditional dance, and public speaking abilities.
Strangling Wolf is the Indigenous Liaison with Strathmore High School.
"Pacey is a 25-year-old Jingle Dress Dancer from the Kainai Nation. Her Blackfoot name is Otsskoiikitstakaii, which means "Blue Offering Woman." She aspires to be an educator, teaching the Blackfoot language or drama to our youth," wrote the Stampede in a news release.
According to the Stampede, the First Nations Princess is a member of a Treaty 7 First Nation and travels to share her culture with people at hundreds of events including at classrooms, speaking engagements, and doing traditional dances.
“This year’s crowning is significant for Elbow River Camp, as 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the First Nations Princess competition at the Calgary Stampede,” says Brian Rusted, chair of the First Nations Events Committee. “While all the contestants were strong educators - an important quality for this role - we are thrilled to welcome Pacey as the next princess. The First Nations Events Committee celebrates the legacy she will help shape during her reign in 2025.”
The First Nations Princess also highlights the support and partnership between members of the Siksika, Kainai, Stoney Nakoda, Piikani, and Tsuut'ina First Nations along with the Calgary Stampede.
Strangling Wolf joins Breanna Correia, who was recently announced as the 2025 Calgary Stampede Princess.
"With their reigns officially starting on January 1, 2025, through to December 31, 2025, they will attend hundreds of events over the course of 2025, including during The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, sharing and celebrating the Stampede’s Western heritage, cultures and community spirit, while benefiting from professional and personal development," wrote the Stampede.
Last year's Calgary Stampede First Nations Princess was awarded to Margaret Holloway and the Calgary Stampede Princess was given to Brooke Fielding.