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Calgary Stampede, Native Elders and Students Team up to Create Wild and Free

...an online inquiry of wild horses

November 5, 2009

Calgary, AB --- Threatened by poachers and misunderstood by Albertans, Southern Alberta’s wild horse population is a mystery being uncovered by Calgary-area students, First Nations Elders, artists and ranchers. Today, the Galileo Educational Network and Stampede School is pleased to announce the area’s wild horses and their habitat will be the focus as these groups meet for the first time on Monday, November 9 to discuss Wild and Free - an online study of wild horses in and around the Ghost Forest area, west of Calgary. The gathering, in the Boyce Theatre on Stampede Park will serve as an important milestone towards completion of the website development project, to be launched in February 2010.

"Historically, cultural traditions of First Nation’s peoples respect the ideology that we are equal to all creations,” says Anita Crowshoe, site coordinator, Stampede School. “As the wild horse is a creation, so too are we. How, in today’s world, do we acknowledge and respect this shared belief? This project will bring a unique awareness to this understanding through contemporary First Nations stories of these creations and by discussing with experts the issues facing wild horses today."

This event is an important first step in understanding the past, present and future for the area’s wild horses where students will discuss their artwork, computer animation, writing and drawing with invited experts. Partners in this project include Galileo Educational Network, the Calgary Stampede School, Stoney Education Authority and Foothills School Division. The project is made possible with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canadian Culture Online Strategy.

“This study is unique not only because it has students working with Elders and other members of the community, but it will also help teachers and researchers across Canada gain an understanding of what matters about wild horses and their habitat,” says Barb Martin, one of the event organizers. “The Galileo Educational Network is really proud to be part of such an important project.”

Artist Maureen Enns has been filming wild horses in the Ghost Forest area for three years and will work closely with students throughout the Wild and Free project. “Wild horses contribute to a better understanding of equine behaviour and are important to Alberta’s landscape. The wild horse remains free, and there isn’t much left on the planet that is.”

About Galileo Educational Network

Galileo is a professional learning and research organization dedicated to Kindergarten to Grade 12 students and is based at the University of Calgary in the Faculty of Education. The organization works with students, teachers and policy makers, creating and promoting innovative teaching and learning practices, using an approach rooted in inquiry and in the effective use of technology.

About Calgary Stampede School

The Calgary Stampede School is dedicated to delivering a first class educational experience offering students and teachers the unique opportunity to relocate their classrooms to Stampede Park to experience innovative learning and promoting a lasting understanding of western heritage and values. The Stampede School is funded by the Calgary Stampede Foundation.

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