Four princesses were crowned at the Siksika Princess Pageant.
The pageant took place at the Strathmore Civic Centre on Thursday, June 5.
Candidates showcased their talents and delivered speeches throughout the evening. At 9:45 p.m. four girls were officially crowned as Siksika royalty.
Ariya Red Old Man was crowned Tiny Tot Princess, Brealeigh Calf was named Miss Kookona, Destyn Wolf Child earned the title of Teen Siksika, and Trinity Pretty Youngman was crowned Miss Siksika.
Each princess received a bouquet, a beaded crown, a sash, a Siksika Nation logo banner, and a gift.
"I feel proud because my family has history with the Miss Siksika crown," said Trinity Pretty Youngman, whose mother had won the title in 1993. That legacy inspired her life-long dream of becoming Miss Siksika.
"To see how proud my grandparents were of me, it made it all so worth it. All the work that I put into the pageant, all the late nights reading my speech. The only thing that I really wanted was to make my mom and my grandparents proud, and I really saw that when I was crowned. It means a lot for me," she added.
Her mother was a key source of encouragement and support throughout the process.
"I really had to relearn the culture," Youngman explained, reflecting on the experience. "I don't think I would've gotten that opportunity if the pageant hadn't come my way."
She hopes to inspire the younger generation to believe in their abilities by encouraging them to give speeches, become princesses, and help preserve the Blackfoot traditions, teachings, and language. She is looking forward to representing Siksika at the Calgary Stampede, Indian Days Powwow, and the Blackfoot Confederacy Powwow. Her goal as Miss Siksika is to raise awareness on the impacts of residential schools and celebrate how her culture has endured.
"I'm really proud of them," Youngman said of her fellow princesses.
Brealeigh Calf, Miss Kookona, will be a representative through to 2026. She credited her mother and grandmother for preparing and supporting her during the pageant.
"It was fun and exciting," Calf said about the pageant and being crowned.
Her speech focused on the Siksika Nation logo and her family. Calf also enjoys traditional dancing.
"I dance fancy, but I prefer jingle," she said, looking forward to representing her nation through powwow dancing. "I encourage other girls to dance."
As Miss Kookona, Calf will participate in various events and powwows, both as a speaker and a dancer.
The 2025-26 royal princesses will be representing Siksika Nation at the Calgary Stampede and other cultural celebrations throughout the year.