The Calgary Stampede named Pacey Strangling Wolf of Kainai Nation the winner of its annual First Nations Princess competition on Sunday, on the event’s 60th anniversary.
Strangling Wolf is a 25-year-old jingle dress dancer whose Blackfoot name is Otsskoiikitstakaii, meaning “Blue Offering Woman.”
“I feel so amazing,” she said, after being crowned.
“As a kid, I was shy, I was meek. I didn’t have a voice. I didn’t I feel like I had a place in the world, but right now it’s just awesome to see that people can see me now and hear my voice. I get to tell my stories or others people’s stories and share other things, and I’m just proud to be a part of that.”
As First Nations Princess, Strangling Wolf will act as an ambassador of the Calgary Stampede and of the Elbow River Camp. She’ll reign alongside the 2025 Calgary Stampede Princess, Breanna Correia, who was crowned on Nov. 13, with both roles set to begin in the new year.
Strangling Wolf said she intends to use her position to strive toward building reconciliation.
“I hope that my message will be clear … that I definitely want to build a stronger bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous and to continue that growth.”
Strangling Wolf works as the First Nations Indigenous liaison at Strathmore High School, and said she one day hopes to become an educator, focusing on teaching the Blackfoot language and drama to youth.
She won the title of First Nations Princess out of four Treaty 7 contestants, after showcasing her public speaking ability, cultural knowledge and a traditional dance performance.
While her official role hasn’t yet begun, Strangling Wolf said she’s already looking forward to next year’s Calgary Stampede.
“The lead up to that is something I’m looking forward to the most. And to see all my Indigenous sisters and brothers join me on the grandstand … that is something I can’t wait to enjoy.”
Livia Manywounds, who was crowned First Nations Princess in 2007, was in the crowd to see Strangling Wolf awarded.
She said the competition has changed over the years for the better.
“We have more sponsorships, we have more people involved, we have a lot of volunteers that are willing to step up,” said Manywounds.
“Without these people … we wouldn’t be here and we’re still here celebrating, and that’s just a sign of [the] resilience of our women, our matriarchs.”