Chicken dancers converge at Blackfoot Crossing for World Championships
200 dancers expected to compete for prize money in five categories

Siksika, Alberta --  “We are expecting this month’s 3rd Annual World Chicken Dance Championships
to be our biggest and best ever,” says Shane Breaker, Blackfoot Crossing’s VP Marketing and
Public Relations. “We have five divisions that include Tiny Tot (under 6); Junior (7-12); Teen (13-17);
Adult (18-44) and Senior (45+). All participants (except Tiny Tot) will complete three rounds of
competition to determine a champion.”

Breaker noted that most of the intricately designed costumes are hand made by the competitors
and their family members. The dancing competition is judged by a seasoned group of Blackfoot
judges who will choose a winning competitor in each category based on the participant who has
accumulated the highest number of points in the final round. Judges award points based on five
key criteria.

1. Precision – Old style movements, trick dance, uniform must remain intact.

2. Timing/Rhythm – Feet should be continually moving to drum beat. Movement is essential. Bells must be worn.

3. Showmanship – Presentation to audience. Variation of moments.

4. Creativeness/Originality – Points are awarded for unique movements and originality of the outfit.

5. Time Limit – Must adhere to number of songs/dances required in each category in each round.

Returning to defend their 2009 World Chicken Dance crowns are (Adult) Nat Iron Heart, Heart Butte,
Montana; (Senior) Stan Whiteman - Browning, Montana and (Teen) Colin Raine, Westaskiwin, Alberta.

The one-day Chicken Dance competition runs from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM at Blackfoot Crossing’s
unique powwow arbor overlooking the scenic Bow River Valley. There are also several other cultural
activities take place during the powwow including traditional food preparation, storytelling, and
interpretive tours of the Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park Interpretive Centre. Visitors are encouraged
bring a lawn chair, umbrella and sunglasses. There is ample parking and overnight camping is available
at the Tipi Village. Admission to the 3rd Annual World Chicken Dance competition is $11.

Who/What: 3rd Annual World Chicken Dance Championships

Where: Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park
(Powwow Arbor behind Interpretive Centre)

When: Saturday June 19, 2010 -  11:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Cost: $11 per person

About Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park

Opened in July 2007, Blackfoot Crossing is the world’s largest Blackfoot exhibit and the largest
aboriginally owned and operated tourism attraction in Canada.  Built on ridge overlooking the
Bow River, the pastoral prairie setting surrounds the site where the Siksika tribe and Canada
signed historic Treaty Seven in 1877. The Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park was built on the
Siksika (Blackfoot) Nation's vision of building a world-class tourist attraction designed to share
its unique heritage and engage visitors in authentic Blackfoot cultural experiences. Blackfoot
Crossing Historical Park is a designated national Heritage Site and is recommended to be a
World Heritage Site. www.blackfootcrossing.ca 1-888-654-6274.  For directions and map,
click on the following link  www.blackfootcrossing.ca/contactus.html#map

                                                             -30-

For more information, interviews or hi-rez visuals, please contact:

Mr. Neil Bousquet, APR, Media Relations, Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park,
(403) 256-8834 neil.bousquet@prwizard.ca

Mr. Shane Breaker, Vice-President of Marketing & Public Relations, Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park,
Office: (403) 734-4417 Cell (403) 901-4661 shane@blackfootcrossing.ca