For the third year in a row, the Calgary Stampede First Nations Princess is a woman from the Kainai Nation.
Chondra Fox, a 23-year-old Jingle Dress dancer, was crowned Sunday after competing against three other young women from Treaty 7 First Nations. Her Blackfoot name is Naamitapiaakii, which means Lone Woman.
“It doesn’t feel real yet,” Fox said after the announcement. “This was a really joyful moment for me.”
She follows Pacey Strangling Wolf in 2025 and Raegan First Rider in 2026, both also from Kainai. Fox is the sixth woman from the Nation to hold the title.
Who is Chondra Fox?
Fox is a member of the Kainai Nation, also known as the Blood Tribe, in southern Alberta. Kainai is one of the three Nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy, along with Siksika and Piikani.
She dances Jingle Dress. The dresses are covered in rows of metal cones that ring with every step, and the dance is known as a healing dance. At a powwow, you usually hear Jingle dancers before you see them.
Fox wants to use the title to bring people together. The Stampede says she dreams of creating spaces where Indigenous and non-Indigenous people connect “through fashion, events, creativity, and meaningful relationships.”
She also wants to build relationships, keep learning about her own culture and be a role model for young girls.
How she won
Candidates are judged in four areas:
Cultural knowledge
Traditional dance
Public speaking
One-on-one interviews
The winner has to be able to stand in front of thousands of people, speak about her culture with confidence and represent Treaty 7 for a full year.
“It is about cultural values, community leadership, connecting to people from all walks of life,” said Amelia Crowshoe, the 2012 First Nations Princess and incoming chair of the program’s subcommittee.
What it takes to apply
The work starts long before crowning day.
For the 2027 title, CJWE reported, applicants had to:
Be between 19 and 26 years old
Have finished high school or an equivalent
Belong to a Treaty 7 First Nation
Have a sponsor who is a current tipi holder at Elbow River Camp
The application also required two personal references, a photo in full regalia, an essay on why the applicant wanted the title, and a short introduction video.
The title is open to young women from the Treaty 7 First Nations of southern Alberta:
Blackfoot Confederacy: Kainai, Siksika and Piikani
Tsuut’ina
Stoney Nakoda: Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney
Three in a row from Kainai
Fox continues a streak for her Nation:
| Year | First Nations Princess | Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Pacey Strangling Wolf | Kainai |
| 2026 | Raegan First Rider | Kainai |
| 2027 | Chondra Fox | Kainai |
Earlier Kainai titleholders include Nikkole Heavy Shields in 2009 and Vanessa Stiffarm in 2016.
Fox and the current princess have a lot in common. First Rider, 20, is also a Jingle Dress dancer. Her Blackfoot name, Isspiitaapoyi, means Stands Tall. When she was crowned last October, she said she felt “every emotion right now.”
First Rider’s term ends Dec. 31. Fox takes over the next day.
A tradition that goes back to 1965
The first Calgary Stampede First Nations Princess was Gloria Little Light of the Tsuut’ina Nation, in 1965.
The Stampede’s records include a few unusual years. In 2000, each Treaty 7 Nation sent its own representative instead of naming one princess. In 2008, four women shared the role.
Fox now joins a tradition that’s more than 60 years old.
What her year looks like
Fox’s reign runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2027.
She’ll appear at hundreds of events as an ambassador for the Stampede and her community, alongside the 2027 Calgary Stampede Princess, who will be crowned Friday. The role also comes with mentorship and coaching, including public speaking, so it’s a year of growth as well as appearances.
The biggest stretch is the Stampede itself, from July 9 to 18, 2027.
Can schools and groups book her?
Yes. The First Nations Princess isn’t only on the Stampede grounds.
Her year includes:
School visits and classroom presentations
Speaking engagements
Media interviews
Traditional dance performances
Schools and community groups can request an appearance through the Calgary Stampede’s royalty booking form. Fox’s term starts Jan. 1, so 2027 bookings will be for her.
Where to see her at the Stampede
If you want to meet the First Nations Princess next July, Tourism Calgary says she usually appears at:
The rodeo Grand Entry
Opening ceremonies at Elbow River Camp
The Elbow River Camp youth powwow
Pancake breakfasts around Calgary
Her exact 2027 schedule hasn’t been released yet.
Elbow River Camp
Fox will spend much of Stampede week at Elbow River Camp.
Families from the Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, Tsuut’ina and Stoney Nakoda Nations will set up 26 tipis on Stampede Park in 2027. Visitors can walk through the camp, meet Indigenous artists selling jewelry and art, watch traditional dancing, and catch hand games and the youth powwow competition. There’s also an interpretive program.
Visitors can also try bannock with saskatoon berry jam.
The camp was called Indian Village until 2019, when it was renamed Elbow River Camp. First Nations have been part of the Stampede since the first one in 1912.
What’s next
The Stampede crowns its 2027 Stampede Princess on Friday. Fox and the new princess start their year together on Jan. 1.
Fox says she wants to connect with people, learn more about her culture, and show young girls what’s possible. She now has a full year to do it.
Sources
Calgary Stampede, announcement of the 2027 First Nations Princess, Oct. 25, 2026: https://x.com/calgarystampede
Calgary Stampede, Stampede Royalty past winners: https://corporate.calgarystampede.com/about-us/in-the-community/stampede-royalty/past-winners
Calgary Stampede, “Introducing the 2026 Calgary Stampede First Nations Princess, Raegan First Rider”: https://news.calgarystampede.com/releases/introducing-the-2026-calgary-stampede-first-nations-princess-raegan-first-rider
Calgary Stampede, Elbow River Camp: https://calgarystampede.com/stampede/attractions/elbow-river-camp
Calgary Stampede, Stampede Royalty appearance requests: https://corporate.calgarystampede.com/about-us/in-the-community/community-booking-forms/stampede-royalty
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