Something Wondrous 2026: Indigenous Music Festival

Event Details

September 12, 2026
12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Taza Park Sales & Marketing Centre, 5894 Tsuut’ina Parkway, Tsuut’ina, AB, T3T 0E6

Traditional drumming rolled across Taza Park like a heartbeat. Tsuut’ina dancers opened the day in a blur of colour, and one musician after another stepped up to add their own sound to the stage.

Friends and families gathered to watch performers, wandered through the market, and shared a meal from local food trucks. Somewhere between all the excitement, strangers became friends.

That was the magic of Something Wondrous 2025, Southern Alberta’s Indigenous Music Festival: a true celebration of Tsuut’ina and Indigenous culture brought to life through live music, art, food, and dance. People showed up, stayed all day, and left asking: when’s the next one?

Now we have an answer. Something Wondrous returns for its second year, bigger and bolder – building on everything that made 2025 so special.

What Makes Something Wondrous Unique?

Tsuut’ina Nation traditional dancer performing at Something Wondrous 2025

Something Wondrous is more than just a festival: it’s a celebration with purpose. It exists to honour Tsuut’ina culture and tradition, showcase Indigenous talent and bring community together in a meaningful way.

With more than 50% of the main stage entertainment showcasing Tsuut’ina talent and 60% of the market vendors represented by Tsuut’ina, the day’s events and activities from the music and art to the food and workshop have been thoughtfully shaped with the culture as the foundation.

what’s new in 2026

Last year was just the beginning. This year, Something Wondrous comes back with an exciting main stage experience, a brand-new fashion showcase, an expanded market, a Tsuut’ina-led workshop, traditional games, and a line-up that celebrates Indigenous talent like never before. Here’s what’s new for 2026.

Elevated Main Stage Experience

With new artists and an exciting new fashion show, this year brings a taller, more immersive main stage , reimagined to give you more room to breathe, better sightlines, and a stronger connection to the stage no matter where you’re standing.

The stage design is just as special. Tsuut’ina artist Alanna Bluebird’s photography takes center stage. creating a meaningful backdrop for every performance, dance, and story shared throughout the day.

Indigenous Fashion Showcase

New for 2026, an Indigenous fashion showcase produced and creatively directed by Authentically Curated. This runway presentation celebrates the artistry, identity, and storytelling of Indigenous designers, brought to life through curated styling, music and a stage experience built to spotlight each designer’s unique vision.

From traditional influences to contemporary designs, you’ll get a front-row look at the creativity, culture and talent shaping Indigenous fashion today.

Expanded Indigenous Market

The Indigenous market returns with a curated lineup of artists and makers from Tsuut’ina Nation and beyond, now expanded to both indoor and outdoor spaces at the Sales & Marketing Centre.

Spend the afternoon wandering and find exactly what you’re looking for: handcrafted beadwork, jewellery, art, and regalia, alongside natural wellness products and locally harvested honey. It’s a market where traditional techniques and modern craftsmanship share the same table. Some pieces carrying teachings passed down through generations, while others carrying tradition forward in new ways.

You’ll see familiar faces returning from last year, alongside new vendors joining the lineup for 2026, each bringing their own story, culture, and craft to Taza Park.

An Indigenous-owned Calgary business known for being fun, elegant, and creative. Abalone Shines brings an unforgettable touch to all kinds of events, creating lasting keepsakes.

An Indigenous-owned artisan from Tsuut’ina Nation, Blue Flower by Eagle Tail offers handmade, culturally inspired creations including ribbon skirts, orange shirts, hoodies, blankets, sling bags, wallets, beaded hair clips, Kokom scarves, and embroidered patches. Their work reflects creativity, culture, and community.

A Cree mother-daughter business with family roots in Fort McKay, Cree_ationz is grounded in culture, creativity and connection with beadwork serving as both an artistic passion and a meaningful healing practice. In addition to producing handcrafted pieces, Cree_ationz supports cultural learning by helping teach beadwork within the Rocky View School District.

A family run business from Tsuut’ina Nation, Dit’oni (Eagle) Designs is operated by Michelle Whitney and her husband. Together, they create unique jewelry and regalia, including carved antler feathers, beaded horseshoes, turquoise and traditional jewelry, cedar feather boxes, powwow dance belts, dance sticks, and more.

An Indigenous-owned and operated small business located in Treaty 7 Territory, J&J's Jewelry Boutique offers a wide range of products from apparel, jewelry, bath and body, home decor to youth artwork, dolls and toys. They strive to become that small one stop shops for all of your gifting needs!

Owned by Melissa Victor from Xwchíyò:m (Cheam First Nation), located in S’ólh Téméxw in the Fraser River Valley. Her work blends storytelling through beadwork and cedar weaving and has been featured is in exhibitions like Mothers and Matriarchy and the Wasakamapiwak Collective residency, and on the runway at New York Fashion Week in February 2024.

A family-run business from Tsuut’ina Nation, Meguinis Krafts features the work of a sister, son, and mother who design and create each piece by hand. Their collection includes beaded earrings, necklaces, hairpins, keychains, bracelets, and traditional regalia items such as breastplates, chokers, and buffalo bags. Every piece is carefully hand sewn with a strong commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and artistry.

Nikanaseek Beads is the work of Tracy Pelly, an Anishinabae artisan from Cote First Nation in Treaty 4 Territory. Her beadwork blends tradition and contemporary design and was created to inspire confidence and celebrate Indigenous culture.

Owned by Anishinaabe beading artist, Chantelle McIntosh, Pappiianok Beadwork carries forward a family line of female artists and entrepreneurs through beadwork. Learned from her mother, Chantelle’s work continues to take inspiration and strength from the survivors in her family.

A family-run business rooted in both Indigenous and Ukrainian values and wisdom, Raven Willow Creations draws on the traditions and practices of their ancestors to craft natural wellness products including, buffalo tallow balms, muscle rubs, essential oils, and relaxation sprays. Grounded in harmony with nature and a deep respect for the interconnectedness of all living things, every product is made with a commitment to quality and care.

Located on Tsuut’ina Nation, Rider Native Art is a gallery that provides a platform for Indigenous artists, showcasing traditional and contemporary work grounded in cultural traditions.

Locally harvested on Tsuut’ina land, Tribal Honey (by Dan Crane) blends cultural knowledge with natural harvesting practices to create a nourishing product deeply connected to tradition. The honey is infused with bear root (osha root), traditionally used in Indigenous medicine for respiratory health and immune support.

Hands-on Tsuut’ina-Led Workshop

Step inside the Taza Park Sales & Marketing Centre for a slower-paced experience at this year’s festival. You may recognize her from last year as an artisan vendor, but this year she’s returning as our workshop facilitator.

Tsuut’ina artist Audra Simeon-Rider invites guests to sit down and learn the story behind her signature lanyard design. a piece steeped in teaching and tradition. She has transformed her original artwork into colouring sheets for the workshop. As you colour, you’ll learn the symbolism and cultural values woven into every stitch.

An activity for all ages, and everyone is welcome.

Guests got hands-on at Something Wondrous 2025, beading colourful lanyards and building their own mini terrariums to take home.

Interactive Traditional Games for All

Get your heart rate up and take part in the interactive traditional games experience led by Jason Plain Eagle. Designed for all ages, the games may include a blend of physical activities and stationary games, with team and individual challenges.

Every game carries meaning. Jason thoughtfully weaves land-based teachings, creation stories, animals, and cultural ways of life into each activity, with language playing a central role throughout to help participants connect more deeply with the teachings and traditions being shared.

tHIS yEAR’S ENTERTAINMENT

This year’s lineup brings together familiar faces and exciting new talent, from hip hop to country, plus a fashion show and everything in between. Whatever your taste, there’s a performance for you.

Lineup Schedule

12:00–12:30 PM — Opening Ceremony
12:30–12:45 PM — Samantha Whitney and her four daughters
1:00–1:15 PM — Redfoot
1:30–2:30 PM — Tyler Two Guns
2:45–3:45 PM — Bebe Buckskin
4:00–5:00 PM — Fashion Show by Authentically Curated

Tyler Twoguns from Tsuut’ina Nation also returns for a second, but this year he’s bringing his whole band along with him. This band is a crowd favourite bringing a tasteful mix of original country, rock, and blues with modern covers.

New this year, Bebe Buckskin is an artist from Treaty 8 territory who’s brings together blues, rock, soul, outlaw country, R&B, Cree language and storytelling. Her album Captain Medicine introduced audience to her personal songwriting and distinct blend of indigenous and blues-rock. She has also release Cree-language interpretations of classic rock songs.

Redfoot, also known as Emil Starlight, is a Hip Hop artist, producer and multimedia creator from Tsuut’ina Nation and a member of the Tribe Artist Society. Returning for his second year at Something Wondrous, he has performed throughout Western Canada with appearances at Edmonton’s Indigenous Hip Hop Festival, Vancouver’s first Indigenous Hip Hop Festival and the City of Calgary’s Mayor’s Celebration of Arts.

WHAT TO EXPECT

At Something Wondrous, there’s something for everyone; find the perfect gift at the market, watch traditional dance and live performances on the main stage, take in the Indigenous fashion showcase, get creative at the Tsuut’ina-led workshop, or get your heart rate up playing traditional games. However you spend your afternoon, you’ll leave with a deeper connection to the heart of Taza Park.

Don’t forget to step inside the Sales & Marketing Centre to visit our builder show suites and chat with our community ambassadors. With our interactive 3D screen, it’s the perfect opportunity to see what Taza Park has to offer, from community amenities to home options, with our knowledgeable team members on-site to answer any questions you might have.

be part of something wondrous

Southern Alberta’s Indigenous Music Festival is back, and this is your invitation! Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 12, and RSVP to be part of a day built on culture, community, and connection at the Taza Park Sales & Marketing Centre.

RSVP TODAY!

SOUTHERN ALBERTA’S INDIGENOUS MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR ITS SECOND YEAR