Participating in Stampede is a touchstone for people trying to immerse themselves in local traditions, says advocate for new Calgarians
Contrary to the popular saying, for an unprecedented number of Calgarians, this year’s Calgary Stampede will in fact be their first rodeo.
“If you’ve attended the Stampede this year, if you’ve wandered around the grounds, you’ll notice people that are coming to the grounds really are representative of Calgary,” said Kelly Ernst, chief program officer for the Centre for Newcomers in Calgary.
“The people that now live in Calgary are from all over the world,” Ernst said.
Dressed in western wear and Stampede garb, rodeo volunteers have been pulling up in front of newcomers’ homes to familiarize them with the event via introductions to Stampede royalty and the board of directors. They’re also given the “white-hat experience,” said Brian Johnston with the Stampede community projects committee.
The Centre for Newcomers has provided new Calgarians with several ways to get involved with the Stampede this year, from providing parade tickets to a number of refugees, to setting them up with employment opportunities at the rodeo and fair. Hundreds of people have also been connected with jobs through the Centre for Newcomers at this Stampede.
Over the past fiscal year, the Centre for Newcomers has served more than 50,000 people, Ernst said — about half the total number of people who moved to Calgary in 2023.
It was the largest annual increase for Calgary since StatCan started tracking modern population data in 2001. Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller will be in Calgary on Saturday to welcome 25 of Canada’s newest citizens.
‘Huge appetite for immersing themselves into the culture’
Alka Merlin, director of communications for Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC), said she’s been receiving texts and emails from new residents enjoying their first Stampede — a sign that they’re starting to feel a sense of belonging in Calgary. One, a Ukrainian client who got involved in Stampede through an ISC event, emailed her saying it’s the “best thing she’s ever seen. She’s never experienced anything like this. Her son loved it.”
“There’s definitely a huge appetite for immersing themselves into the culture and starting to build that sense of belonging,” Merlin said.
Participating in Stampede is similar to buying a jersey representing the local hockey team as a touchstone for people trying to immerse themselves in local traditions, Merlin said. The ISC ran a specific learning event for Ukrainian refugees to help them learn more about the event — a shared activity that’s brought the community together, she said.
While it’s not clear how much Calgary’s new migration is contributing to Stampede’s attendance numbers, Merlin said she’s “not shocked” Stampede is on track to exceed its record.
Merlin said she’s noticed over the past few years that Stampede has become a more diverse event.
“I’m not surprised that folks who have been living here for a long time have told their friends about it, and now everybody’s here.”