Stone Pipe Days has become a significant cultural event at Lethbridge Polytechnic, it has expanded each year in scale and meaning, bringing a vibrant celebration of Blackfoot culture, while also speaking on reconciliation. What began as a small celebration to honour the school’s Blackfoot name, it has now evolved into a week-long celebration that brings students, faculty, and community members together.
Stone Pipe comes from the school’s Blackfoot name Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan, it is a symbol of knowledge, peace, and connection. For Joel Wells, a Student Navigator at the Lethbridge Polytechnic, the name is the foundation of the entire celebration. “It means the stone pipe will pass on knowledge,” he explains. “We wanted to expand on that story and really show people why we have that Blackfoot name for the school. It’s about bridging the communities together.”
The event has evolved over the years. Jordan Head, a Cultural Advisor at the polytechnic joined in October of 2024, he inherited the role of piecing together Stone Pipe Days. Previous years held powwows off campus, but he saw an opportunity to reshape and expand the meaning and inclusivity of the event. “Last Spring of 2025, I put together a powwow and titled it as a celebration of the partnership between the Blackfoot people and Lethbridge Polytechnic,” Head stated. “That’s our theme, celebration of a partnership.” That partnership is rooted in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, which emphasizes education, cultural revitalization, and building relationships. Head says Stone Pipe Days is one way the institution is moving forward meaningfully. “It’s about working together, sharing knowledge, and moving forward in a good way,” he says. “We’ve been suppressed for so many years. Our history was never brought to the forefront… now it’s like a new beginning.”
The official Stone Pipe Days programming reflects that commitment. The event is a week-long celebration full of activities, including cultural workshops, film screenings, guest speakers, and opportunities for students and faculty to learn directly from Blackfoot community members. The highlight is the annual powwow, it brings dancers, drummers, and individuals together in a celebration of movement, music, and tradition.
Wells explained the powwow has become a powerful point of connection for students, especially the international students. “Some students told us the powwow reminded them of home… the dancing, the music, the big celebration connected to them,” says Wells.
This year, Head has introduced an interactive powwow, inviting attendees onto the dance floor to learn the steps and understand their meaning. “We’ll demonstrate the dances and have everyone participate,” Head shared. “That’s the starting point to help people understand our way of life.” The event’s growth is also reflected in the increasing involvement of campus leadership. Wells said having executives participate in the opening ceremony sends out a strong message. “It shows that the institution cares about this event, and each year we try to keep growing,” he stated.
Looking ahead, both Wells and Head see room for expansion. Wells hopes to introduce Blackfoot storytelling, while Head believes that the future of Stone Pipe Days lies in deepening understanding. “We want people to know what we went through,” Head says. “Then start building on that to come together.”
As Stone Pipe Days continues to evolve, the purpose remains true. This will lead to strengthening relationships and creating spaces for learning that go beyond a classroom. Through celebration, storytelling, and shared experience, the event is helping shape a campus community grounded in respect, connection, and understanding.
