At the time Jay Contway met Joanne, she was a 28-year-old student, a dancer, and a daughter of Maggie Black Kettle, a renowned tipi owner at Stampede. Joanne’s sister Daphne continued the family’s involvement until 2019 when the tipi was transferred to Joanne and her husband Duane Red Old Man. Their four children are also active with the Elbow River Camp at the Calgary Stampede.

Joanne is from the Siksika Nation, east of Calgary, and worked with the Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park from 2008 until her recent retirement.

“I met Joanne over 20 years later when I was visiting the village. She was at her family tipi on the Stampede grounds. To me, she looked just the same. She remembered me, and we had a good visit. It is good to know that the traditions of hosting the First Nation Families still continue on at The Calgary Stampede.“

– Jay Contway