Calgary Stampede Indian Village settles into new home at Enmax Park

The familiar teepees of Indian Village at theCalgary Stampede will be in a new location when the gates open for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth this year.

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The new site, located inEnmaxParkacross the Elbow River from theSaddledome, is 2.5 times larger than the old one, something that KellyGood Eagle said he's "really excited" about.

"We have more space in-between," said the owner of teepee number eight.

"For the last six or seven years, the teepee pegs have been kind of close together and it's been very tight ... and then we have a big area on the other side for our teepee races."

Cindy Provost, vice-chair with the Calgary Stampede's Indian events committee, said the new location will include all the same events that guests havebecome accustomed to at the old Indian Village, including dancing demonstrations, storytelling with elders, and traditional foods.

"The teepee owners are so excited and it just offers an opportunity for our guests to come and really have a hands-on experience, really learn from our interpretive guides," she said.

"They continue to offer those traditional stories and to offer that traditional experience."

In addition, she said the permanent Sweetgrass Lodge at the site, created with financial support from the Suncor Energy Foundation, will offer year-round programming for youth, after the Stampede ends.

Steve Allan, chair of the Calgary Stampede Foundation, said the land was previously used for industrial and storage purposes.

It wasn't exactly the prettiest spot, he admitted, especially for people walking or biking through on the river path that passes through it.

"It was an embarrassment to all of us, I think, because it was probably the very worst part of the pathway system," he said.

"But, as you can see, it has completely transformed. It's a green oasis in the heart of downtown Calgary."

The Calgary Stampede runs July 8 to July 17.