Allison, born in 1942 on the Siksika Reserve, has the Indian name,
"One Who Likes Victory."
The 28 teepees at the Indian Village each hold open houses for
visitors during Stampede week. For their teepee opening, the
Healys display traditional outfits made of hide, pieces of
clothing heavy with beautiful beadwork, and bustles made with the
sacred eagle feather. They include items showing the traditional way of life such as bone utensils, rawhide bags to
store dried meat, mint tea, and pemmican (a mixture of crushed
dried meat, berries, sugar, and fat). The teepee smells fragrant
with fresh sage and cedar.
The Healy teepee is one of two from the Blood Reserve at the
village. The five tribes that signed Treaty Seven in 1877 -Nakoda (Stoney),
Siksika (Blackfoot), Kainai (Blood), Tsuu T'ina (Sarcee) and
Piikani (Peigan) Nations-are all represented.
On the outside, the Healy teepee has a water serpent design, with
elk, deer, and the Big Dipper. The design was passed down from
Earl's cousin.
The Healys are very active and valued members of the Indian
Village, says David Johnston, in his third year as chairman of the
Stampede's Indian Events committee. Allison judges at the pow-wow
competitions, at teepee openings, and judges the best dressed
riders in the Stampede parade.
Earl, a member of the pow-wow committee, dances during
competitions, helps organize dancing and drumming off the grounds
at Calgary malls and the Olympic Plaza, and performs at the
evening shows at the stampede grandstand. Each of the five tribes
from Treaty Seven has its own flag, and Earl participates in the
raising and lowering of the flags at the village each day.
The Indian Village has been part of "the Biggest Show on
Earth" in the 89 years since the Stampede's inception in
1912. Several families have camped at the Stampede for
generations, some from the beginning.
The connection of the five tribes with the Stampede is unique,
says Johnston.
"In my opinion, (this) association between Natives and the
Stampede is something that has worked all these years, even with
some ups and downs. In North America, it's the only place where
for this long a period the Native community had a showcase to show
their culture, history, and heritage to the world."
Earlene Healy, 33, is one of Allison and Earl's six children who
help maintain the teepee during Stampede week. She grew up
attending Indian ceremonies, dancing in pow-wows and being taught
such traditional values as respect for elders.
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