Kyreese Mountain Horse passes the torch
By Dale Woodard on February 22, 2022.
Last weekend at the 22nd International Peace Pow Wow and Festival Kyreese Mountain Horse passed on the 2022 Miss Blackfoot Canada honour.However, since being crowned Miss Blackfoot Canada in 2020, Mountain Horse has not only represented the Blackfoot people, she has taken part in many initiatives, one of which hits close to home for her.
“It has meant a lot to me because I’ve represented my people in a good way with a good heart and a humble heart,” said Mountain Horse Saturday afternoon on the opening day of the International Peace Pow Wow and Festival at the Enmax Centre. “I carried this crown in a good way. I went to conferences and a lot of things, especially knowing my platform is the MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women).
“It’s hard going to these things because you carry all that emotion from everybody who has lost a loved one. I have a few family members who have gone missing. So it’s hard and I know how it feels, but I choose to go there to represent my people and the crown and help whoever needs the help through singing and things like that.”
Mountain Horse lives on the Blood Reserve in Kainai.
She said attending those conferences are important to her.
“Being in that situation, you don’t know who feels the same way you do until they come to you and tell you ‘This is how I feel and I just want to let you know you’re not alone,'” she said, “It’s honestly a weight off your shoulders to know you’re not going through this alone, somebody is there and somebody will help you. It’s amazing.”
Last weekend, Mountain Horse passed on the Miss Blackfoot Canada title.
“That should be exciting for them,” said Mountain Horse. “Honestly, I just hope whoever gets the crown that they represent the crown in a good way with a humble and kind heart in the way I did.”
After the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2021 International Peace Pow Wow and Festival, the two-day event was back on full display, including a pair of grand entries Saturday in the afternoon and in the evening as drumming and dancing took over the Enmax Centre floor, celebrating the culture of the Blackfoot people.
In addition to handing over the 2022 Miss Blackfoot Canada title, Mountain Horse also took part in the Chicken Dance special.
“I feel like it’s going to be a good crowd because everybody missed it last year,” said Mountain Horse. “It was supposed to happen and then it was canceled and I couldn’t hand over my crown and got another year extended. It’s stressful. I’m running here and there and doing this and that for people and having to represent my people. But I also enjoyed it and honestly, I think it’s going to be a good crowd because everybody missed the Pow Wow and it feels good just to be with our people.”
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