2026 Calgary Stampede First Nations Princess, Raegan First Rider (CJWE/Sarah Scott)
In a ceremony on Sunday afternoon, 19 year old Raegan First Rider of the Kainai Nation was named the 2026 Calgary Stampede First Nations Princess.
The Jingle Dress dancer, whose Blackfoot name is Isspitapoyi — meaning Stands Tall — loves working with young children and has hopes of becoming an elementary school teacher.
“I feel every emotion right now,” said Raegan following her crowning. “I feel overjoyed, I feel proud – I don’t think there’s a word for it. This means the world to me. I had lots of inspiration from back home – my mom and my father have always told me to liyika’kimaat, which means try hard, and every day I wake up, I strive to try my hardest and never do a job, not well done – and I’m so glad that I did this job well.”
Raegan will act as ambassador of the Calgary Stampede alongside the 2026 Calgary Stampede Princess, who will be crowned later this week.
With their reigns officially starting on Jan. 1, 2026, through to Dec. 31, 2026, they will attend hundreds of events over the course of the year, including during The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, sharing and celebrating the Stampede’s Western heritage, cultures and community spirit, while benefiting from professional and personal development.
First Rider was one of seven contestants in this year’s competition.
The 2026 Calgary Stampede will take place from July 3rd to 12th
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