Calgary Stampede's Indian Village renamed Elbow River Camp

The Calgary Stampede's Indian Village has been renamedElbow River Camp,the organization announced Sunday.

Last week, Stampede officials had said a name change for 2019 would be announced soon but at the press conference for the event's last day on Sunday, they instead said the name change would happen immediately.

"The name Indian Village is no longer accepted by some people, so it is time for a change," village teepee owner representative MichaelMeguinissaid in a statement issued by the Calgary Stampede.

He said the nameheld historical significance for him, so it hasn't personally bothered him.

The name change will take place Sunday afternoon at the camp's closing ceremony.

The elbow

Since the Stampede started in 1912, Indian Village has had a key role in the festivities. Today, the site at EnmaxPark features 26 teepees and offers cultural programming during the 10-day event.

The new name reflects thatlocation on the edge of the Elbow River.

In three local Indigenous languages Dene, Stoney and Blackfoot, the word for Calgary refers to the river's bend the elbow.

Lowa Beebe, the chair of the Stampede's Indian events committee, said the teepee owners had previously wanted to keep the old name for "historical reasons." But becausethey've been inthe new location at Enmax Park for a couple years now, they thought it would be time for a new one.

She said Stampede organizers were not pushing the teepee owners to change the name.

The statement from the Stampede echoed that sentiment. CEO Warren Connell said the new name came from teepee owners from the various Treaty 7 nations, including Kainai, Tsuut'ina, Stoney Nakoda, Siksika and Piikani.

AstheStampedecomes to a close, organizers are projecting possibly the best turn-out yet.

Calgary sawexcellentweather this year, except for a sudden, short-lived windstorm Friday night that prompted rides and the Indian Village to close for a short time.

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With files fromAnis Heydari.