Getting to know this year’s Calgary Stampede Princesses

In just two months, the Stampede will flood Calgary with plaid and tourists, bringing hundreds of thousands of people together.

This year’s Stampede Princess and First Nations Princess say they are very much looking forward to the festivities.

“Calgary has been through a lot for the last couple of years and I think we’re all itching to get back together,” said Jenna Peters, this year’s Stampede Princess.

“Everyone is very excited, especially coming from the pandemic,” added Sikapinakii Low Horn, the First Nations Princess.

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Peters and Low Horn are this year’s Stampede Royalty – ambassadors for the 10-day event. They both won their titles in tough competitions, and both with a mission for their reign.

“Having that physical presence again is going to be such a big part of the Stampede,” said Low Horn.

“Being able to be the best role model I can be for Indigenous youth and maybe even non-Indigenous youth.”

Related Article: Calgary Stampede First Nations Princess crowned

Twenty-six-year-old Low Horn is from Siksika Nation, a traditional dancer doing her Masters in Fine Arts. She hopes to educate people about her culture and uses her art as an outlet.

“I just love doing it,” she said. “I’ve come across many, many questions from non-Indigenous people and a lot of them are repetitive and others just don’t know. And they want to know, and so I’m totally OK with answering any type of question.

“I always use my art as a way to express myself and to let others know about my history and the Blackfoot history.”

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Peters, 24, is a show rider from Calgary who graduated with a finance degree. Stampede royalty runs in her family as her sister was a Stampede Queen.

“She’s always been a trailblazer I think in her life and to watch her go through that, I always wanted to have every experience that she had,” said Peters.

“I’m excited to just share it and learn their stories as well as share my own.”

This year’s event runs from July 9-17.

Peters and Low Horn have shorter reigns than in years past due to the pandemic, but they know it’s an exceptional year to be part of the Stampede.

“That’s the thing I’m most excited about is having things back to normal and doing things how they used to be,” said Low Horn.