Crude Optimism Romanticizing Alberta’S Oil Frontier at the Calgary Stampede Kimberly Skye Richards

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Crude Optimism Romanticizing Alberta’s Oil Frontier at the Calgary Stampede Kimberly Skye Richards

An immaculate young woman regally waves at a sea of enthusiastic fans. Perched on her head is a white cowboy hat embellished with a tiara that has “Calgary Stampede Queen” written on it in rhinestones. She is a vision of “westernness” in cowboy boots, a buckskin skirt and jacket, and turquoise jewels. Her express purpose this hot July afternoon is to welcome the 115,000 folks attending the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede. She is a “welcome figure,”1 like those white-cowboy-hat-wearing individuals in the Calgary air- port who stand in the arrivants’ path and greet travelers. These performances of western hospitality amount to a performance of power: the assertion of settler rights to land.2 They are just

1. I borrow this term from Stó:lō scholar Dylan Robinson’s essay “Welcoming Sovereignty,” which examines Indigenous sovereignty and gestures of welcome that take place in spaces of transit and gathering (2016:24). 2. In using the term “settler” to describe non-Indigenous people living in western Canada, I am referring to the idea within settler colonial studies that being a settler is not an identity, but a structural position and experience of power and privilege. Settlers settle into land appropriated by imperial nations and create independent homelands for themselves. They are defined by conquest; they are “founders of political orders and carry their sovereignty

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on 26 September 2021 Crude Optimism 139 She is coediting an upcoming special She is coediting an upcoming Figure 2. Display commemorating the role of the Rodeo Royalty in in Royalty Rodeo the of role the commemorating Display 2. Figure by (Photo 2017. July 14 Calgarythe Stampede, and Exhibition Richards) Skye Kimberly Student Essay Contest Winner Student Essay Sustainable Tools for Precarious , and the collection Sustainable Tools Room One Thousand

Graduate Group in Performance Studies at UC Berkeley provides an interdisciplinary

with them”; they do not require labor, but require Indigenous people to vanish (Veracini 2010:3, 94). More More 94). 2010:3, (Veracini vanish to people Indigenous require but labor, require not do they them”; with regime, colonial settler the into co-opted are and constituted, already order political a face immigrants recent and peoples Indigenous of dispossession original the from materially benefit they as themselves settlers becoming dispossessions. ongoing to contribute is a PhD Candidate in Performance Studies at the University of Studies at the University in Performance Richards is a PhD Candidate Kimberly Skye Performance and of the Capitalocene: “Crude Stages Her dissertation, California-Berkeley. in which practices on oil frontiers range of performance examines a Petro-Imperialism” tactics are staged, and theatrical ideologies are are negotiated, extractive petropolitics has published in Theatre the expansion of petro-imperialism. She deployed to impede Journal, TDR, Keren Zaiontz, (edited by Natalie Alvarez, Performance Actions in the Americas Times: Palgrave Macmillan, 2019). and Claudette Lauzon; on “Extractivism in Canadian Performance Cultures.” on “Extractivism in Canadian issue of Canadian Theatre Review [email protected] The in the literatures, curriculum directed at advanced studies and individually crafted throughout the world. contexts, and theories of performance performances, cultural at and Performance Studies, the PhD program Dance, of Theater, Based in the Department theatre history in the field of drama and distinguished of Berkeley’s once takes advantage and methodologies of to a wider interrogation of the disciplines studies, and opens out Group in Performance The program is administered by the Graduate performance studies. range of related departments. Students in the Studies, comprised of faculty from a wide array of interdisciplinary methodologies, PhD program conduct research in a diverse dance, and performance studies. The PhD in on projects spanning the fields of theatre, program (10 semesters). It offers core Performance Studies is designed as a five-year Each student determines an individual courses, but no predetermined areas of emphasis. of performance studies, using faculty resources research agenda within the broader field and a sense of interdisciplinary innovation. to develop both a clear field specialization As a fourth-generation set- Figure 1. (facing page) Interactive photo opportunities are prevalent at the Calgary the at and Exhibition prevalent opportunitiesphoto are Interactive page) (facing 1. Figure Richards) Skye Kimberly by (Photo 2018. July 13 everybody cowboy, a be can where Stampede, tler born in southern Alberta, I Alberta, tler born in southern regularly attended the Calgary There was Stampede as a child. a time when I fantasized about being the Stampede Queen, galloping around arenas on a uphold- fast buckskin horse, ing the ideal of white feminin- and drawing people into the ity, Stampede spectacle through one subtle manifestation of the affective logic of settler colonialism at the century-old festival designed to preserve and promote western heritage and cul- Canada. Alberta, ture in Calgary, Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on 26 September 2021 Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on26 September 2021

140 Kimberly Skye Richards Exhibition and Stampede, 8 July 2017. (Photo by Kimberly Skye Richards) Figure 3. Visiting rodeo queens and princesses watch the Stampede rodeo. Calgary Crude optimism, likecrueloptimism, exists “when somethingyoudesireisactuallyanobsta- of extractivismandclimatedestabilizationcausedbythereleasecarbonintoatmosphere. tlement andcattlefrontier(c. 1880–1920)andtheoilfrontier(1941–present)? mism andexcitementoffrontieropportunityacrosstheunfoldingwesternCanadianset- of frontierlifeenactedattheStampedehelpedtobrand Alberta asa Wild West fulloftheopti- gates, payingCAD$18.00foranadultticket(CalgaryStampede2018)? teerism andmoreunpaidlaborwhenthanamillionvisitorsannuallypassthroughthe espoused valueof “commitment tothecommunity” translateintothecelebrationofvolun- Why aren’ttheRodeoRoyalty old, andattendingtheStampedeinnearlyallofnineyearssinceshoredupmanyquestions: affective appeal. CompetingintheCalgaryStampedeQueencompetitionwhenIwas20years

nically representativeofCalgary’sincreasinglydiversepopulation? 5. 4. 3. am referring to Canadian dollars. upstream energy sector (Government 2018). Throughout of theAlberta essay when I cite financial information, I and is forecast at $23.7 billion in 2018. In 2017, approximately 140,300 people were employed in Alberta’s was equal to about $28.3 billion in 2016, estimated at $26.5 billion in 2017, oil and gas, mining, and quarrying, Statistics Canada, capital investment in Alberta’s upstream energy sector, which includes oil sands, conventional Alberta’s oil sands have the third in largest the oil world, reserves after Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. According to Stampedeto the community (Calgary 2018). The core values of the Calgary Stampede brand are western hospitality, integrity, pride of place, and commitment gram, see Hamblin (2014). Stampede institution (Calgary 2019). Forattending a postsecondary of pro more- information on the history the Royal Trio receives small honorariums throughout the year ($1,000 monthly) and a $2,000 scholarship if well as makeup, manicures, hairstyling products, a custom saddle, and a year’s of riding lessons. Currently worth all backgrounds and walks of life. Once crowned, the Royal Trio receives forall appearances as outfits and jewelry able and professional, as well as their riding ability, personality, with people from and ability to speak comfortably StampedeCalgary Queen and Princesses Competition. Competitors are judged on their ability to look present- prior to application, and have never12 months been married or had children are eligible to compete in the Women between the ages of 19 and 24 who are Canadian citizens, have been a resident for at least of Alberta — the QueenandhertwoPrincesses tion despitethebrutalrealities line development, andconsump- to fossilfuelextraction, pipe- a bindingoptimisticattachment mism” (2011), crudeoptimismis Berlant’s notionof “cruel opti- optimism.” Playing off Lauren the worldviewthatIcall “crude ilege” (2012:10), andbuildon giving uplandorpowerpriv- guilt orresponsibilitywithout relieve thesettleroffeelings These strategies “attempt to “settler movestoinnocence.” Tuck andK. Wayne Yang call from decolonizationthatEve ating distractionsanddiversions to thatindustry, aswellcre- try byreinforcingaffectiveties aid Alberta’s oilandgasindus- performances attheStampede tions areboundupwithhow The answerstotheseques- 3 Why doestheStampede’s — more raciallyandeth- 4 Howhasthespectacle 5

Crude Optimism 141

The 9 - Crude opti 6 Through the 8 a marker of what is lacking and desired; the a marker of what is lacking and desired; the —

Today the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede features the world’s richest rodeo with more and Stampede features the world’s richest the Calgary Exhibition Today of feel- structures the legitimizing narratives, Performance analysis can help to disentangle , s.v. “crude (adj.1a),” accessed 4 June 2018. www.oed.com.libproxy.berkeley.edu/view 2018. June 4 accessed (adj.1a),” “crude Dictionary s.v. , English Oxford /Entry/45152?rskey=Bxe3ml&result=2&isAdvanced=false#eid. global and local the multidisciplinary generative a 1990s, the excavating been has petrocriticism of field Since assump- sociopolitical fundamental shaped has petroconsumption how shown have Petrocritics oil. of impacts and social oil’s of consideration forestalled and modernity, and democracy freedom, of ideals the as such tions, 2013). Huber 2013; LeMenager 2007; Szeman 2011; Mitchell 2005; Apter 1997; Coronil (see costs ecological set- US forwardpushed land by free of edge an as associated often most is frontier the of the notion Although to expands economy world the which in contexts other in analytic useful a as emerged has frontier the tlement, which in violence of “economies as frontiers oil describes Watts newincorporate Michael accumulation. of spaces as frontiers of definition capacious Redclift’s Michael (2001:190). centrally” figure dispossession of politics the often was it where and other, each with vie denial) its (or society civil of versions rival where zones, “contested (2006:ix). frontier oil Alberta’s befits odds” at most was that nature of management and definition their histori- the traces who (1992), historycultural Slotkin western of scholars with consistency Richard like For colo- the from culture political and popular, literary, American in the frontier of myth the of development cal stories to referring am I frontier” the of myth “American the to refer I when 1990s, the through period nial and ideology US symbolizing of power the usage persistent historythrough US from drawn acquired have that western in fertile development agricultural and ranging cattle to vast, amenable the land Although values. moral - late-19th-centurythat meant Canada fron the of myth the experience, an American solely not was life frontier construction,cultural American distinctly a is establishment tier the justify and explain to used been first having powerful a as emergence growth, economic rapid the for account to deployed later and colonies, American the of modernization. to approach distinctive and nation-state, 7. 8. 9. than $2 million in prize money, chuckwagon races, country and western music concerts, a and western music concerts, country chuckwagon races, money, than $2 million in prize west- livestock exhibitions, trade show, Village, Stampede Indian Calgary midway, parade, vaude- display of youth talent, and grandstand show featuring an eclectic ern art competition, of these performance practices Many Nations dancing and drumming. and First ville acts, and economically expedient climate of crude optimism that is politically produce an affective and legitimizes the expropriation of underwrites settler innocence, for the petroleum industry, Indigenous land. practices that allow violent and racialized acts of dis- and cultural embodied behaviors, ing, in her study of Taylor, Diana to become thinkable. and coloniality extractivism, possession, shows how a small group of power bro- War, Dirty Argentina’s during “disappearing acts” She public through a spectacle of collective identity. kers manipulated and controlled a viewing collec- “a locus and mechanism of communal identity through argues that public spectacle is into events at the same time as it blinds them to tive imagining”: it offers a population insight of civil soci- Her analysis illustrates how the destruction the meaning of the situation (1997:ix). which renders many complicit. but also ideological penetration, ety is not only about weapons, dissemination of and negotiation, the Stampede spectacle is a site for the production, Likewise, material conditions of the oil frontier. ideologies conditioned by the cultural and Stampede, the fantasy of the American myth of the frontier came to relate to ordinary life. American myth the fantasy of the Stampede, mism is confidence that our fossil fuel economy and petropoliticized regime will lead us to petropoliticized regime fuel economy and that our fossil mism is confidence as Stephanie LeMenager “loving oil,” us Crude optimism keeps all possible worlds. the best of fantasy that life” “good itself but to the not to the substance deep attachment describes our issue are the ques- At the heart of the possible (2013:102). modernity makes fossil-fueled and cost? fragility, its instability, attached to oil despite clear evidence of Why do we stay tions: a culture of climate denial and cruel impasse and produced or sustained What has led us to this willful ignorance? celebration of the cowboy is not simply nostalgic the community imagines itself as still existing. frontier is a crude and cruel fantasy in which 6. cle to your flourishing” (Berlant 2011:1). To be “crude” is to be in a natural or raw state, “not “not or raw state, a natural is to be in “crude” To be 2011:1). (Berlant flourishing” cle to your etc. tempered, refined, not manufactured, any process or preparation,” changed by Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on 26 September 2021 Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on26 September 2021

142 Kimberly Skye Richards the Canadianfrontierbyfeaturingrealcowboysinaprofessionalrodeo. replaced thefantasticalelementsof American Wild West showwiththe “authenticity” of received $100,000ofcreditfromthe “Big Four” (Lane, Burns, Cross, andMcLean), and tier toaprosperousagriculturalfrontierandlateranoil(Foran2008:5–6). Weadick a materialrealityevenasthenatureoffrontierevolvedrapidlyfromcattle-rangingfron- the frontierhadceasedtoexistassuchinUnitedStates, in Alberta thefrontierremained West wouldbepopularin Alberta (Bryden2011:142– their virilecharacter. Weadick believedthattheromanceandcultureof “disappearing” Old fear that, withitsdisappearance, Americans hadlosttheconditionsthroughwhichtheyacquired ended in1890withthedisappearanceofvastreserveundevelopedlandandexpressedhis Frontier in American History” ([1893]1921)inwhich Turner arguedthattheUSfrontierhad Weadick was awareofFrederickJackson Turner’s famouslectureon “The Significanceofthe Myth oftheFrontier for theCanadianPacificRailroad, whohadcontactsintheranchingindustry(Gray1985:37). A.E. Cross, and Archie McLean. HewashelpedbyHarryC. McMullen, generallivestockagent Cowboy SkillsChampionshiptofourprosperous Alberta ranchers:GeorgeLane, PatBurns, named Guy Weadick pitchedasix-dayspectacleentitledtheFrontierDayCelebrationand The CalgaryStampedebeganin1912whenan American cowboyturnedvaudevilleentertainer The Petropoliticization ofthe 11. 10. farming, andlanddevelopment, andotherelements)astheformativeculturaleconomic saw open-rangeranching(notrailways, wholesalinganddistribution, mining, irrigation, wheat that rodeorepresentedtheessenceof Anglo-Canadian Protestantconquestofthe West and color, andofferingavisionofranchinglifethathadonlyexistedforlimitedtime: “It posited tant aspectsof Alberta’s history, merelyportrayingIndigenouslifeandcultureasasourceof tized. Donald Wetherall contendsthefrontiernarrativeenactedatStampedeerasesimpor it wasopportunefortheformationofaperformancespaceinwhichthislifecouldbedrama- ing. Nowthattheadventurouslifeofcowboyonopenrangewascomingtoanend, golden ageofthecowboywhenboundlessfreelandexistedforcattlerangingandhomestead- wheat farming, effectivelyprivatizingtheland. EarlyStampedescapitalizedonnostalgiaforthe memorable andledtoapostwarvictoryrestagingin1919becameanannualevent1923. The Stampedeemergedatatimewhensettlersweregaininglandtitlesandcommencing tured Canadian cowboys. European emigration. Their Wild West shows were prefaces important to the Stampede phenomenon that fea- American ideas about the frontier past as well as perceptions of the US abroad during the period of massive Horn. The Buffalo Bill Show went on to be seen by more than 60 million people and strongly influenced both eants that staged key scenes of the Wild West like the buffalo hunt, pony express ride, and battle of Little Big making by mythologizing their own lives and reenacting their real and perceived adventures in circus-like pag- fictions published in dime novels.had been the subjects of laudatory They collaborated with frontier myth- ( James Butler Hickok; 1837–1876), a gunman and guide, scout, and buffalo hunter; and Wild Bill Hickok Buffalo (William Cody; 1846–1917),Bill a trapper, Civil War soldier, Pony Express rider, stagecoach driver, tained financing for the event (Felske 2008:98). received in the urban center (Foran 2008:5). Yet Weadick was persuasive and in 1912 he and McMullen ascer- as 1908, but it was not and clear its that perceivedrodeo would entertainment be well elements of animal cruelty a trick roper. Weadick hoped to stage a “Frontier Days and Cowboy Championship Contest” as early in Calgary the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show, the troupe with which Weadick as was touring and performing and ranchers to improve products. Theeight-day event thequality of their livestock, also featured grain,anddairy Exhibition, a kind of miniaturized World’s Fair intended to highlight regional production and encourage farmers West (Foran 2008:3). In 1908, the federal government $50,000 to host the Dominion awarded Calgary for the diverse for social interaction and entertainment population that had settled the Canadian an opportunity district agricultural wealth,practices, advertise promote settlement, bring business to the young city, and create began hosting an exhibition and agricultural fair in 1886, which was designed to share knowledgeCalgary about

44). Butwhile Turner’s thesisindicated 11 The 1912eventwas 10 -

Crude Optimism 143 It has enabled 12 created by Bob Bob by created Bow the of Banks the By Spaith and Rich Roenisch. Stampede fairgrounds, 16 July 2017. 2017. July 16 fairgrounds, Stampede Roenisch. Rich and Spaith Richards) Skye Kimberly by (Photo Figure 4. The cowboy and the western horse are celebrated in public public in celebrated western are horse the and cowboy The 4. Figure including artCalgary, in a transformation facilitated when western film and television actors like Duncan a transformation facilitated when western

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- imagery public ceremo and is linked to urban identity through in Calgary the Stampede extends beyond Frontier 2001). Seiler and Seiler (see public art,nies, architecture and Early in its history, the Stampede’s Board of Governors consisted of local businessmen, of Governors consisted of local businessmen, the Stampede’s Board Early in its history, com- Calgary is home to the head office of nearly every major oil and natural gas Today, The myth of the frontier served as a foundation for a creation story neither continuous The myth of the frontier served as a foundation Calgarians to define and articulate their guiding beliefs, explain their deepest and most persis- explain their deepest and guiding beliefs, Calgarians to define and articulate their the frontier narrative More specifically, and provide direction for future action. tent concerns, overwhelming booms and busts of frontier life (and normalizes the turbulent and sometimes the discrep- and/or rationalize manage, and helps the community adjust to, mineral markets), the After all, they imagine and expect. “good life” the ancy between the reality of their lives and than the suburbanite who depends on all “end of oil” tough cowboy is more likely to survive the of the modern fossil-fueled amenities. and gas industry took off in the late 1940s when a major Alberta’s oil As and ranchers. farmers, from oil executives and white-collar workers Alberta, crude oil reserve was found in Leduc, over man- and took joined the Board of Directors, related investment and engineering firms in an oil show This resulted most explicitly adapting it to suit their needs. aging the spectacle, derrick-like steel tower with a at the Stampede from 1966 to 1977 featuring a 41-meter-tall Exhibits on rig drilling 2,100 meters below Stampede Park and topped with a natural gas flare. and processing procedures were also showcased to edu- pipelines, transportation, exploration, cate the public about the industry. energy-related engineering drilling companies, major pipeline operators, pany in the country, Plains Midstream Flour, Encana, Cenovus Energy, Atco, ENMAX, and trade associations. firms, Parsons Resources & Energy are all sponsors of Worley and TransCanada, Repsol, Canada, brand associations through big oil’s performed Sponsorship generates positive the Stampede. 12. Renaldo and Leo Cariollo (Cisco Kid and Pancho), James Drury (The Virginian), Roy Rodgers Virginian), James Drury (The Pancho), Renaldo and Leo Cariollo (Cisco Kid and - performed in or attended the Stampede as spe and Jay Silverheels (Tonto) and Dale Evans, typically arises from efforts to justify contempo- While the invention of tradition cial guests. imported) by frontier mythology was not invented (or rary ideologies as grounded in the past, through though they have been able to justify their strenuous and risky undertakings oil men, this mythology. nor Indigenous worldviews. East Coast authority, with the British Empire, event in the history of south- event in the As such, (2008:42). ern Alberta” the Stampede argues Wetherall tradition in Eric is an invented Hobsbawm’s sense — the kind tradition that of mass-produced soci- occurs in rapidly changing bonds of eties to establish new a sense of loyalty and promotes community — such as nostalgia (1999:61– for an imagined past efforts to Weadick’s Despite 86). - stage an authentic representa fron- tion of western Canadian the by the mid-1950s tier life, American generic myth of the to frontier took hold due the popularity of televised westerns Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on 26 September 2021 Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on26 September 2021

144 Kimberly Skye Richards from TransCanada Corporation, ownerofthecontroversialKeystoneXLpipeline. Moreover, trail designedtoconnectCanadiansacross13provincesandterritories, andacceptsfunding tive signageandsculptures. The Cenovustrailconnectstothe Trans Canada Trail, anational along theElbowRiverandnarratesstoryofarea’swesternheritagethroughinterpre- to the650-meter-long CenovusLegacy Trail (ownedbyCenovusEnergyLtd.)thatweaves rest oftheStampedespectacle. ENMAXParkisownedbyCorporationandconnects in ENMAXPark, a16-acregreenspacealongtheElbowRiver, separatedbywaterfromthe and answeringquestionsaboutIndigenousculture. Since2016, Indian Village hasbeensituated of thefestivalandtaketurnsopeningtheirteepeetopublicforviewingsfamilyartifacts Alberta, abouttherighttodrillontheirland. pute withtheLubiconLakeCreeIndianNation, asmallCreecommunityinthefarnorthof exhibit ofNativeartifactsattheGlenbowMuseum, atatimewhenShellwasinvolvedindis- during the1988 Winter Olympicsin Calgary whenShellCanadasponsoredTheSpiritSings, an backfires withprotestsofartexhibitionsbackedbyunsavorycorporations. Thiswasthecase core values, experiences, andhighestheldbeliefsofaculture” (Evans2015:70). Sometimesthis criticism andangerfollowingacrisis, oilcompaniesmustfirstdeveloparelationshipwiththe sorship isasurvivalstrategyforprecariousindustry: “To surviveaninternationalonslaughtof environmental catastrophesfromoilexcavation, transportation, andrefinement. Culturalspon- porations tomaintainthe “social licensetooperate” despitetheever-accumulating socialand role of “Corporate Citizen.” Shearguesthisassociationwithculturalinstitutionshelpsoilcor associations withprestigiousculturalinstitutionsto “artwash” theirbrandsandperformthe commitment tocommunity. MelEvanshasshownhowoilcompanieslikeBPhavesoughtout 15. 14. 13. the 2019Stampedeonwards. “Indian Village” forthepast107years, andwhatwillbeknownas “Elbow RiverCamp” from Nakoda, Siksika, andPiikani Village. sored thepartofStampedethatfeaturesFirstNationscultureandperformance:Indian through oilextractionandpipelinedevelopment, inrecentyears, oilcompanieshavespon- the Stampede. annuity payments and provisions (Dempsey 2015:115–17). that werefor reserves set up based on an allocation of one squarefive people in a tribe, as mile for every well as and from the International of Border to the boundary north Treaty 6, to the Canadian government in exchange dered 50,000 square miles of hunting grounds extending from the Cypress Hills west to the Rocky Mountains, between First Nations and the Crown signed between 1871 and 1921. In this agreement, the Blackfoot surren - First Nations at Blackfoot Crossing in what is today southern Alberta. Treaty 7 is one of 11 numbered treaties Treaty 7 was signed on 22 September 1877 between representatives of Queen Victoria and the chiefs of the five 2017). Andruschak the community and giveto go to the Stampede families an opportunity get to go” who might not otherwise (in know as well as anyone that the last couple of years have been difficult, and this was a way for us to give back to as “a gift from us to the community.” In reference to the financial toll of the 2015 oil slump, “WeReid remarked: breakfast to the first 25,000 guests. Vicky Reid, director of community affairs at Cenovus, described the gesture 2017 Stampede. Cenovus provided free entrance to all families who arrived before noon, and it offered a pancake energy sector (Bickis 2016). One such campaign was Cenovus Energy Inc.’s sponsorship of Family Day at the during the 2015 recession that resulted from falling oil prices and included an estimated 40,000 jobs lost in the There in Calgary try to maintain the have reputation of the beenother oil public industry to relations efforts Lubicon Cree Nation (see Bennett 2016). sitting on the ground for two hours on a day when the temperature remained below −20°C, in solidarity with the Thunder Gallery,Bay Art Rebecca Belmore, staged an Anishinaabe artist, and Canadian governments.and the Alberta Outside the museum, 150 individuals protested; and in front of the ber of museums and private owners boycotted the exhibit, and sent letters of protest to the Glenbow Museum After protests by the Lubicon Lake Nation and a call to encourage people to respond to the exhibition, a num- Rather thanshyawayfromthecontentiouspublicissueofdispossessionFirstNations 14 Since1912, membersofthefivenations Treaty 7 — 15 Teepee owners andtheirfamiliesliveonsiteduringtheduration have beeninvitedtosetupteepeesinwhathascalled 13 This kindoffauxpashasnotbeenthecasewith — hc ivle her involved Artifact #671B —which Kainai, Tsuut’ina, Stoney - Crude Optimism 145 dollars dollars displays a unique and colorful design that Figure 5. Teepee owned by Leo and Maureena Pretty Young Man Man Young Pretty Maureena and Leo by owned Teepee 5. Figure the of feature a been has Village Indian 2017. July 13 (Siksika), visitors providing 1912, in inception its since CalgaryStampede five the of cultures and opportunityan learnto traditions the about Richards) Skye Kimberly by (Photo 7. Treaty of nations - It is deeply 16 17

were misclassified to reduce reported operating costs and make oil extractive activities appear more profitable and and profitable more appear activities reported extractive oil make and costs operating reduce to misclassified were 2018). (Stempel terminated was workforce the company’s of half than more and efficient, United January Article of violation a be to appears 2019 the of 10 in Police action Mounted Canadian Royal The forcibly be not shall peoples “Indigenous states which Peoples, Indigenous of Rights the on Declaration Nations con- informed and prior free, the without place take shall relocation No territories. or lands their from removed possible, where and, compensation and fair just on agreement after and concerned peoples indigenous the of sent 2008). (UN return” of option the with The company rebranded in 2017 after a multiyear accounting fraud in which nearly 300 million Canadian rebranded in 2017 after a multiyear The company Each time I visited Indian Village in the past three years, I have found the green space refreshingly less crowded and qui- I have found the green space refreshingly years, in the past three Village non-Native Native and the other side of the bridge. eter than the carnival-like atmosphere on them. people rest on picnic benches shaded by red umbrellas with ENMAX branded upon 30 to 40 feet tall and mag- Children of all ethnicities play in the grass between the 26 teepees, Each teepee nificently assembled in a large circle. Inside are extraordinary displays: tanned hides, came to its original owner in a spirit dream. 17. 16. in promotional material online material online in promotional out at the 2017 and and handed Village Indian 2018 Stampedes, “presented as being is marketed formerly Energy,” by Obsidian a Ltd., Petroleum West Penn oil and nat- mid-sized Canadian ural gas production company based in Calgary. disturbing that no fewer than disturbing that no fewer - four major energy corpora resource tions that profit from territo- extraction in Indigenous to Indian ries have name rights and the paths that tra- Village a politi- in verse through it, pipelines cal landscape in which are being pushed through unceded lands without con- This was most recently sent. demonstrated in January 2019 when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police entered a for tified checkpoint built by mem- bers of the Unist’ot’en clan of Nation that Wet’suwet’en the was meant to control access to and their traditional territories, arrested 14 people who refused to comply with a recent court order to dismantle the check- which would effectively point, clear a route for the Coastal Gaslink natural gas pipeline TransCanada project (owned by Corporation). Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on 26 September 2021 Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on26 September 2021 intertribal dance. 13 Julyintertribal 2017. (Photo by Kimberly Skye Richards) Village. Competitors from each of the five Treaty in the 7 nations participate Figure 6. Visitors are invited to watch daily Pow Wow competitions in Indian 146 Kimberly Skye Richards and practicetheirculturesopenlywithchildren. only afewplacesinCanadawhereFirstNationspeoplescouldassemble, speaktheirlanguages, ate thecustomsandculturesofFirstPeoples. In1912, whentheStampedebegan, itwasoneof cultural practicesinanerawhentheDepartmentofIndian Affairs wasdeterminedtoobliter casing theircultureandwaysoflife. dition ofsettingupteepeesatIndian Village, asdidtheirfathersandgrandfathers, andshow- are beadingorpreparingmeatsasvisitorsperusethedisplaysandtakephotos. or makingmedicine. Ihavealsometteepeeownersandtheirfriendsfamilymemberswho played inbowlsandbasketsalongsidetoolsmadeofanimalbonesorstonesforcrushingberries ries, rhubarb, saskatoonberries, apples, sage, sweetgrass, andotherwildgrasses of theteepee. Inthecenterofsometeepees, Ihaveseenlocalplantsandfruits dresses. These preciousartifactsaretypicallyplacedonbuffalohidesthatrimthecircumference belts, andknives;drumsarrows, pipesandHudsonBayblankets;buffalohornshead- boned tunicsandvests, andleatherjacketsadornedinexquisitebeading;moccasins, gloves, 19. 18. the jingledressdance, forwhichthebellsattachedtogirls’ dresseswerethoughttocap- ditionally tohelpflattenthetallgrasseswhentribeswould move tosetupanewcamp;and Blackfoot words, andexplainedthesignificanceofeachdance: thegrassdancewasusedtra- Treaty 7anddescribed whereeachtribeislocated, taughttheaudiencehowtosayseveral appointed Indianagent. Inaninterview, GeraldSittingEagle, thenephewofBenCalfRobe, opportunity toleavetheirreserves, whichatthetimerequiredpermissionfromagovernment- Teepee ownerswithwhomIhavespokenexpressedgreatprideincarryingonthetra- Indian agents (see Dempsey 2008). around in fairs and parades illegal without the permission a of law localpassed in 1914 that made participation would undermine the policy of assimilation and soughtout ways to getAffairs was concerned that participation Weadick insisted that First Nations in the Stampede people participate even of though Indianthe Department member, usually a son, in a teepee ceremony. StampedeWhen one of the Calgary teepee owners decides to retire, he passes on the teepee to another family 18 The Stampedeplayedanimportantroleinsustaining 19 ItalsogaveFirstNationspeoplean introduced thefivetribesof attended in2016, theemcee Stampede “PowWow”the I Blackfoot interpreters. During which historyisnarratedby educational experiencein tlers andvisitorsaunique make bannockandutensils. how totanhides, cutmeat, and younger generations, suchas tional knowledgeispassedonto remains atimeinwhichtradi- indicated thattheStampede Cole 2016). SittingEaglealso and comestraightuphere” (in school, andthenyou’dgohome to it. All yearitwasresidential “As children, welookedforward their cultureandwaysoflife: people togatherandcelebrate a positivespaceforIndigenous ers, describedIndian Village as one oftheoriginalteepeeown- Indian Village providesset- — — choke cher neatly dis- - - Crude Optimism 147 cutting competitions, allow First Nations peoples allow First cutting competitions, Figure 7. Indian Village, 12 July 2015. Families representing the Kainai, Kainai, the representing Families 2015. July 12 Village, Indian 7. Figure the in reside Nations First Piikani and Siksika, Nakoda, Stoney Tsuui’ina, outside the on design unique a has one Each duration. event’s the for teepee by artifacts(Photo and inside. clothing, displayed traditional beadwork, and Richards) Kimberly Skye - -

I have also noticed an Despite these positive aspects of Indian Village, none of the performances of traditional none of the performances of traditional Village, aspects of Indian Despite these positive The Stampede’s Main Events The Stampede’s Main Events the rodeo is an important part of the Stampede’s past and present, Village Although Indian that and the chuckwagon races are the central features of the Stampede and the performances dered Indigenous women; nor dered Indigenous women; high the disproportionately rates of incarceration affecting Indigenous people in Canada. These subjects are absent from the representation of Native life in Indian Village. absence of protocol within a space owned by Obsidian ENMAX Corporation, Energy, and Cenovus Energy Ltd., Corporation. TransCanada Although signs outside the tee- “Please treat pees ask visitors to no the teepees with respect,” protocol is established between no teepee owner and tourist, treaty made between guest and I am not required to intro- host. specify where I duce myself, name my ances- come from, without As the gift of welcome is proffered or present an offering when I enter a teepee. tors, the rules of it fails to signal sovereign control over clarification of what is expected in return, or remind visitors that they are rules are enforced, the authority under which such the space, as advertised on a handbill Village,” “explore Indian to Settlers and visitors are invited guests. gaining access without indi- these spaces at their will, and enter handed to me on-site in 2017, without giv- “innocently” Settlers move vidually asking for consent (Calgary Stampede 2017). when consent on Indigenous lands humility, or even demonstrating ing up power or privilege, who already own the is presumed; crude optimism brews when powerful local oil corporations, demonstrate their commitment to the protection convincingly land upon which one is standing, management and the effects of private “beautification,” and maintenance of land through urban yields community-centered spaces and the showcase of local Indigenous cultures. ational trauma stemming from ational trauma stemming residential school experiences; mur the loss of missing and - Calf Robe speaks pos Noran culture. and their traditional to share their history opportunities the true ways of our people learning “I like the non-native offerings: Village’s itively of Indian (in true stuff from us” Learn the stuff. Hollywood Indian no more our traditions, people and Child 2016:9). Weasel or con- appear to foreground sovereignty Village witnessed in Indian Blackfoot culture I have key I have never heard conversations about Village have spent in Indian In the time I sent. the opioid epidemic; hard- such as First Nations’ communities, issues negatively affecting ships from poverty; intergener ture medicines, was a prayer to ask the ancestors for help in healing. The traditional dances The traditional dances for help in healing. to ask the ancestors was a prayer ture medicines, - and lowering ceremo flag raising the traditional storytelling, like Wow, in the Pow performed and meat- raising demonstrations, teepee nies, Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on 26 September 2021 Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on26 September 2021

148 Kimberly Skye Richards Kimberly Skye Richards) Figure 8. Chuckwagon racing Stampede. at the Calgary 15 July 2017. (Photo by event thatisadescendent ofbroncobustingon ranches, wherecowboys useasaddleand tors atthisstage, andclearthearena. The eventissimilartosaddlebronc riding, aclassicrodeo jumps off, oris “picked up” byoneoftwomountedmeninthearena, who assistthecompeti- flat againstthebackofanimal. Finally, theeightsecondhornblows, andthe cowboyeither back towardshisflankinrhythm withthebucks, oftenalmostappearingtoliewithhisback being whippedbackandforth. Herollsthespursofhisbootsfromshoulders bronc able. The cowboytriumphantly holdshisotherarmintotheair, counteractingtheshockof out ofthechute, slamshisfrontlegsintotheground, and kicksashighhardheis strap andopenthegate, andthebronc, angeredbythe buckingstraparoundhisflank, wheels bronc’s withers. When thecowboyfeelssecure, henodsforhisteamtojerktighttheflank his rosinedglovedhandintheleatherhandle(calleda “bareback rigging”)cinchedaroundthe positioned theflankstrap, thebarebackriderslidesover thechuteontobronc, andsecures onds. Oncethestockmenhavestrappedbarebackrig aroundtheribcageofbroncand back event, acowboyattemptstostaymountedatopan unsaddledbuckingbroncforeightsec- with riggingbystockmen, andmountedbythecowboywho has drawntheirname. Inthebare- vidually movedfromholdingpensbehindthearenaandloaded intobuckingchutes, equipped ing. Inthestockevents(barebackriding, saddlebronc riding, andbullriding), animalsareindi- riding, tie-downroping, saddlebroncriding, steerwrestling, ladies’barrelracing, andbullrid- to work. of thescene, thecowboysarrived, likeadeusexmachina, paidtheirrespects, andthenbegan removed theirwesternhatstosingtheCanadianandUSnationalanthems. Amidst thechaos ern hats, chaps, andspursdescendedfromguidewirestothecenterofarenawherethey to thecenterofarenaonfoot. Fromtheheightofgrandstand, fourcowboysinwest- announcer asthe “greatest horsemenandwomeninalloftheworldtoday,” astheyrushed ration, andwecheeredevenmoreloudlytowelcometherodeocompetitors, describedbythe rock guitarmusicalcuesignaledtothecrowdthatnextgroupdeservedrespectandadmi- war criesastheyspedpastsurprisedanddelightedspectatorsontheirpaintedponies. A loud waving tothecrowd;followingthemwerethreeyoungmenfromSiksikaNation, wholetout and Princessesgallopedtheperipheryofarenaontheirpalominoblackhorses, regally er’s voicewelcomedalltothe “Greatest OutdoorShowonEarth!” Next, theStampedeQueen of thesponsorsStampedegallopedaroundpaneledpen, andaboomingannounc- out ofthearenadirt. As fireworksexplodedfromtheinfield, 16youngwomencarryingtheflags The Stampederodeoiscomprisedoftheconventionallistevents:barebackbronc Stampede ignitedintoflames livestock brandoftheCalgary with movementandcolorasthe door arenasuddenlyerupted attended in2018, anemptyout- highly theatrical. When I a thirstfor speed. of frontierlifeandbycultivating normalizing riskasabasicfactor crudely optimisticworldviewby main eventshelptosustaina brutal realities. The Stampede’s the frontierthatobscuresits adventure andexcitementabout of thewest, fosteringatoneof and cowgirlsactoutthetaming and chuckwagonraces, cowboys broadest audience. Intherodeo transmit frontierfantasiestothe The Stampederodeois balance Crude Optimism 149 - in less than five seconds, but in less than five seconds, — Figure 9. Leading rodeo competitors descend from guide wires at the top of the the of top at the wires guide from descend competitors rodeo Leading 9. Figure Calgary Exhibition rodeo. startthe at everyof afternoon’s arena the to grandstand Richards) Skye Kimberly by (Photo 2017. July 15 Stampede, and weighing up to 700 pounds —

Tie-down roping, steer wres- roping, Tie-down A rider. Steer wrestling similarly demonstrates tremendous teamwork between horse and they are only able to catch their steer if their horse springs straight out of the box and veers left they are only able to catch their steer if their horse springs straight out of the box Ladies’ barrel racing also demonstrates the so that the cowboy’s feet can drop to the ground. As it is the only rodeo event at the Stampede in which well-trained horse. importance of a fast, charging thoroughbreds tend to solicit great encour the cowgirls and their women compete, they steer their horses around three When it is their time to run, agement from the audience. tling, and barrel racing are and barrel racing tling, horses timed events that feature training. at advanced stages of of the success In these events, depends the cowboy or cowgirl “brokenness” upon the horse’s rop- Tie-down and performance. of ing replicates the experience calves catching and restraining on an open range for branding or medical treatment in which a calf is pushed out of a chute pursu- and a mounted cowboy, ropes ing the calf at full speed, the calf’s dallies the rope neck, and abruptly to his saddle horn, stops his horse to jerk the calf The horse must to a standstill. keep the right amount of pres- sure on the rope by backing up, neither choking the calf nor let- as the cowboy leaps ting it loose, off the right side of his horse, throws it to the runs to the calf, ties its legs together ground, and throws with a piggin’ string, his hands up in the air signal- Each horse ing to stop the clock. and rider partner know exactly what the other is going to do, and they are able to precisely perform their role as they adjust The horse continues to the calf. to control the calf for the cowboy even when it has no rider on its back. rides along- The hazer pursue a steer out of the chute. “hazer” steer wrestler and a mounted of the sad- side the running steer to keep him in line while the wrestler slides off the right side and pulls the digs his heels in the ground, muzzle, grabs one of the steer’s horns and his dle, com- Winning steer down by twisting his neck until the animal gives in and falls to the dirt. petitors can wrestle their steer with a “buck rein,” a halter rope a halter rein,” “buck with a attached to a hal- in one hand Both bronc’s head. ter on the of the spectacle events dramatize to physically a man attempting animal 10 times dominate an his weight. Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on 26 September 2021 Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on26 September 2021

150 Kimberly Skye Richards working oncattledrivesandtocarryallthatmigratingsettlers required(vanHerk2008:240). in westernCanadafromthe1860sto1900sasmobilekitchens andreststationsforcowboys the riskinessofraceacrossfrontiertowardsfinancial gain. Chuckwagonswereused crude optimismisnotsimplyarrogance, howeverfallaciousthat maybe. of fortune, spirit, andpowerthroughviolencehas ecologicallimits, andprovidesassurancethat another performanceoccurring:aofrestraintthat suggeststhattheregeneration much astheStampederodeoeventsdramatizecowboy’sexciting lifeonthefrontier, thereis ness inhistreatmentofanimals, heispenalized, jeopardizing hisownchancesofsuccess. As ble damagetotheanimal, andifhebecomestooaggressive engagesinunnecessaryrough- reward; thoughhemaytryhisluckagainthenextday, healwaysstopsshortofdoingirrepara- in highlyriskybehavior, hedoessotodemonstratehisprowessandattainaone-timematerial to doanotherday, butthattherodeocowboyrespectslimitsofnature. Though heengages rodeo performanceissignificantasitindicatesnotonlythatthereremainsworkforthecowboy and formidablethreattothecowboy. Inanatmosphereofcrudeoptimism, thisfeatureofthe His aggressivedemeanoraffirmedthathehadnotbeentamedorrefined;remainedawild to thegroundoptinginsteadlowerhisheadandpawupdirt, signalinghewasreadytofight. crowd particularlyenjoyedwhenabullrefusedtoexitthearenaafterhehadthrowncowboy cowboy’s saddle, rigging, rope, andflankstrap, isalsomeaningful. WhenIattendedin2018, the tic. The factthateachbronc, calf, steer, andbulltrotsorlopesout ofthearena, freedofthe ilarly rewardedwithimmensecashprizes. cowboys” indowntownskyscraperswhoquicklymanagetomakenatureworkforthemaresim- is alarmingbutperhapsnotsurprisinginthecontemporary Albertan contextwhere “corporate oration (Lawrence1982:160). The privilegingofviolentstruggleandextractiverelationships the cowboygainspowerbytamingnature;moreviolentstruggle, thegreaterinvig- of theconqueredthroughaphenomenonhecalls “regeneration throughviolence” (1973:5): ing ofthe American mythofthefrontierasastoryinwhichconquerorabsorbsenergy mal isrewarded. As Lawrencepointsout, thisdynamicresonateswithRichardSlotkin’sread- performance. Inotherwords, thecowboywhoproveshissupremacybyridingfiercestani- he mayreceiveupto50pointsforhisridingandonthequalityofanimal’s tem isquantitativeandqualitative:theridermustremainmountedforeightsecondsthen ging equipmentorrestraininggear highlighted bythehighdegreeofautonomygiventobull. Bullridersutilizeverylittlerig- quishing thebull’smaleforce, thebullridertriestoequalitandopposewithhisown. This is strength renderhimasourceofadmirationforthosewhoexaltmasculinity. Ratherthanvan- even killtherider. As Elizabeth Atwood Lawrenceargues, thebull’sreproductive capacityand ner. When acowboydismountsoristhrownoff, bullsruthlesslyattempttostomp, injure, or extraordinary powerandagility. Unlikehorses, abullwillneverbecomewillingfriendorpart- handhold, andattemptstostayonhisbackforeightsecondsasthebullbucksspinswith rope aroundthegirthofa2,000-poundBrahmabull, mountsandlockshishandinabraided in lessthan16seconds. 45-gallon oil-drumbarrelsarrangedinacloverleafpatternatfullspeed, andflytowards “home” 20. rider andtheanimal’sback(1982:189). Itisacontestbetweenmanandbeast. The chuckwagonrace, whichispartoftheeveningentertainment, differentlydramatizes The themeofinvigorationandvitalityfromthestrugglesfrontieriscrudelyoptimis- The Stampederodeoculminatesinbullriding, duringwhichacowboycirclesplateof the ground with an angry bull. These cowboysthe ground with an angry demonstrate immense courage and mental toughness. aments, pulled muscles, bone chips, and shoulder separations, to say nothing of what happens when they are on an average car accident (Fredriksson 1985:121), and once out of the chute, contestants suffer from strained lig- to this beast. The force of the first jump of an animalout of the chute has been compared to that of whiplash in the chutes, jumping up and down and beating their chests to “amp” themselves up before strapping themselves It is also a challenge of man overcoming fear of pain or injury. The big arena screens often show cowboys behind — nothing touchesthebull’sheadorisplacedbetween 20 The scoringsys- Crude Optimism 151 until the horn to signal the start of until the horn to signal — Figure 10. Having been stepped on by a bull, a cowboy is taken out of the arena arena the of out taken is cowboy a bull, a by on stepped been Having 10. Figure by (Photo 2017. July 14 Calgary Stampede, and Exhibition stretcher. a on Richards) Kimberly Skye - race to be the fastest team around the racetrack without pen- the racetrack without the fastest team around race to be — amped with fear and excitement amped with fear and each consisting of four horses hitched to a chuckwagon, a 1,300-pound a 1,300-pound to a chuckwagon, of four horses hitched each consisting — —

With 4 wagons, 24 horses, and 12 men, milling between 8 carefully staggered white barrels, white barrels, milling between 8 carefully staggered men, and 12 24 horses, 4 wagons, With No one wants to witness a the race sounds. At the Stampede, each outfit is accompanied by two outriders who begin the each outfit is accompanied the Stampede, At the race sounds. trying to still on his team, outrider holds the reins of the front horses One race unmounted. the positioned at the back of The second outrider, avoid a false start. the fussing horses and all the When the klaxon blows, a (now plastic) stove into his wagon. prepares to throw team, and cut a figure 8 pattern around harness and dust, of legs and canvas, teams take off in a flurry direc- in a counter-clockwise barrels before taking a lane on the racetrack their respective two and race onto the backs of their horses, leap having completed their tasks, The outriders, tion. wagon to avoid penalty. striving to finish within 150 feet of their behind their teams, for those who revere raw power and fast money. chuckwagon racing is an incredible spectacle standing on whether from the grandstand or race, Each time I have watched the chuckwagon around I felt exhilarated when the horn blast and the four teams of horses charged the tarmac, obstacles of the frontier; the feeling in the crowd was the barrels and maneuvered the symbolic The Calgary team to surge past its competitors. electric and we cheered loudly for our favorite in 1923 It began racing competition in the world. Stampede has the preeminent chuckwagon the Weadick was determined to provide exhibition; when the Stampede finally joined with the bring their so he put out a challenge to surrounding ranches to crowd with thrilling events, horses to the Stampede and par ticipate in the first chuckwagon the risky wagon Since then, race. race has become one of the features of the Stampede. majestic and powerful horse get injured or watch a driver get tangled in his reins and dragged around the track amidst thun- dering hooves and heavy wagon but despite efforts to wheels, design lighter rigs and increase the event remains safety efforts, During the extremely dangerous. a wagon 10 days of races in 2018, flipped in the air as it came into contact with a barrel and the driver spilled onto the ground, narrowly managing to roll out of the way of the galloping hooves. a driver tipped In another race, out of his wagon and was run incurring a bro- over by his rig, tripped Spectacular accidents also occurred when horses vertebrae chip. T-5 ken scapula and a crew runs to the In these cases, or suffered heart attacks or running injuries. over each other, gazing upon scene of the accident and erects a dark tarp to prevent the audience from directly Since 1986, the distressed animal thrashing on the ground before it is removed from the field. Each night at the Stampede, 36 chuckwagons race over 9 heats, vying for almost $90,000 each for almost $90,000 vying over 9 heats, chuckwagons race 36 at the Stampede, Each night - championship tro and a bronze title, the championship to win $100,000, day and a chance In each Sunday.” “Showdown on Alberta energy provider) a major ATCO, by phy (sponsored outfits four heat, wagon with a canvas canopy wagon with and spring for bounce, hard bench with a tight are men) sit on a drivers (all of whom The alty. starting barrel and try to sleek thoroughbreds to the right side of their guide their teams of steady their horses Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on 26 September 2021 Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on26 September 2021

152 Kimberly Skye Richards out givinguptheexcitementorpromiseoffrontierracesfor capital. audiences topurgetheirguiltovercomplicityinthewreckageofnaturalworldwith- the banality, oftheviolencefrontier. Stagingthebrutalrealitiesoffrontier lifeallows its violencecontributestotheformationofa “habitus” ofviolenceandtheacceptability, even lence tooccurinthefirstplace. Thesocialsanctioningofchuckwagonracingintheface it willberedressed;doesnot, however, callintoquestionthestructuresthatenablesuchvio- lence ofthefrontier, hasananaesthetizingeffect:itreassuresthecrowdthatwhencrisis occurs, after aviolent, sometimesdeadlyaccident. pected, ofovercomingtheviolencefrontier. Itisaperformanceofgettingbacktonormal dent asaperformanceofregainingdominanceoverthenaturalworld:controllingunex- eyes, andsayalittleprayerfortheinjuredparties. Hisnarrativescriptstheresponsetoacci- ahead anddowhattheybest,” andhedirectstheaudiencetotakeadeepbreath, closetheir medic crewandexcellentveterinaryservices. When thingslikethishappen, wejustletthemgo under control.” Hedeclares, “Everything’s goingtobealright...We’ve gottheverybestpara- announcer narrateswhatishappening, andreassurestheaudience, “We’ve gottheoperation injured parties, catchtheunhitchedandfrightenedhorses, andattendtothefallenman. The most impressedbytheperformanceofrapidresponse. Paramedicsandveterinariansrushtothe Humane Society2018). 66 horseshavehadtobeeuthanizedafterbeinginjuredinthechuckwagonraces(Vancouver the necessarycostumepieces ethnically diversepopulationcanappeartofitintothecommunitysolongastheyafford tradition. The simplicityofthecowboy “uniform” meansthatCalgary’sincreasinglyraciallyand belt, andcowboyboots. “Playing cowboy” denotesaconsciousdesiretoparticipateincivic and mostCalgarians, eventhosewithoutruralroots, donaStetsonhat, denimjeans, aleather dress uptheirstorefrontswithhaybalesandlumberfacadestoimitatetheCalgaryof1880s, ducing thesymbolsoffrontier. The wholecity “goes western”:downtownbusiness owners sive festivalwhereparticipantsshiftbetweenperformerandspectator, reinterpretingand repro- In additiontoperformancesoftheworkingcowboyinrodeo, theStampedeisanimmer Playing Cowboy andthePleasuresofBeing Crude the stateapparatus hasseldomacknowledgedthe roleofcowboysinCanadian history, tending their regionalidentityasmavericks ofConfederation” (Seiler2008:193). Sincethe19th century, continue tobeperpetratedon these lands. shield thepopulacefromhistorical andcontemporaryactsofcolonialstateviolencethat charine momentalsorepresents theStampede’scapacitytousespectacularperformance the mythologyoffrontier, andseethemselvesaspartofacommunitycowboys. This sac- exemplifies theinvitationfornewimmigrantstoframetheir experiences inthisterritorywithin as theemceeofshowshookhandswithnewCanadian. This performanceofcitizenship rus ofapopulartrackbytheCanadianpopstarChantelKreviazuk, “It feelslikehometome,” donned inawhitecowboyhatandsilkblousecomprisedofthe nationalcolorsbeltedthecho- fill hisdutiesasaCanadiancitizen. Uponcompletingthecitizenship oath, ayoungsongstress Elizabeth II, QueenofCanada, herheirsandsuccessors,” observethelawsofCanada, andful- raised hisrighthand, andswore “to befaithfulandbear trueallegiancetoherMajestyQueen walked acrossthemassivestage, presentedhimselftotwo judgesadornedinjudicialattire, Hadfield, ayoungmansportingwhite Wrangler shirt, pressedjeans, andwhitewesternhat nal hoopdancing, pyrotechnics, andaspecialappearance byretiredCanadianastronautChris Grandstand Showin2015. Inthemidstofaflurrysonganddance, acrobaticacts, aborigi- This spectacle, whichsimultaneouslyconcealsandrevealsthesocialanxietyaroundvio- On thoseoccasionswhenIhavebeeninthecrowdanaccidentoccurred, Ihavebeen The cowboyisapowerfulsymbol ofregionalidentitybecauseitenables Albertans to “evoke The desiretoplaytherolebecameespeciallyapparentwhenIattended TransAlta — and arewillingtodemonstrateaninvestmentinwhiteness. - Crude Optimism 153

— Figure 11. Looking back out through the entrance, the Stampede grounds blend blend grounds Stampede the entrance, the through out back Looking 11. Figure Richards) Skye Kimberly by (Photo 2017. July 14 Calgary, downtown into When attractive women ride the mechanical bulls of these bars, bulls of these bars, When attractive women ride the mechanical 21 is particularly hostile to women and queer folk. When cowboys act too is particularly hostile to women and queer folk. —

Elsbeth Mehrer, director of external relations at the YMCA of Calgary, describes the Stampede as a “breeding “breeding a as Stampede the describes Calgary, of YMCA the at relations external of director Mehrer, Elsbeth behaviours.” and attitudes damaging often and charged sexually “misogynist, cultivates that sexism” for ground The festive nature of the Stampede signifies a time for reveling in being crude: the taboos The festive nature of the Stampede signifies 21. and constraints of everyday life are lifted, and marginally illegal activity is accepted. A mas- and marginally illegal activity is accepted. and constraints of everyday life are lifted, tents named and pop-up drinking and dancing sive downtown pub crawl takes over the city, accommodate thou- “Nashville North” and Saloon,” “Wildhorse “Ranchman’s,” “Cowboys,” western sands of thirsty city slickers turned cowboys and cowgirls who wish to act out their “enshrines the self-conscious of the western Rebecca Solnit writes that the fantasy fantasies. She is right insofar as the frontier (2007:31). desire to be unself-consciously masculine” real and constructed and conquest in the masculine ambition, women’s bodies become a terrain of fantasy, crudely, of $400,000 dancehalls of the Stampede (where oil companies sponsor parties costing upwards [2016]). Tait in boom periods; instead to celebrate the Mountie celebrate the Mountie instead to the peace- who represented of law and ful administration resolution of conflict negotiated the continental Although (184). ranching industry forces of the across the drove cowboys north existed the cowboy 49th parallel, outside of Canada’s imagined cowboys worship To community. the myth north of the 49th when links of the frontier so clearly mythol- American cowboys to efforts ogy undercuts nationalist cul- to distinguish Canadian This resis- ture from US culture. tance to national narratives Albertans has resonated with who have resented those federal policies that have impinged the resource- and disadvantaged competition, upon deregulation and undermined free-spirited the ideals of freedom outside the constraints of soci- The cowboy reflects wealthy province. of and tends to be suspicious capitalism, ety and an open frontier consistent with free-market who carried the law moved west with Easterners In the US frontier tradition, remote authority. in people the demo- which instilled War, American Revolutionary with them the legacy of the of the law and enforce their own code of honor when cratic right and duty to take back control authorities prove incompetent ( Canada has no such vigilante tradition as Jennings 2015:13). It is west by the Mounted Police prior to settlement. British law was imposed on the Canadian identify with Alberta’s natural resources would of logical that those who would reap the riches and perseverance in the face of fortitude, individualism, which emphasizes American myth, the that natural environment (either physical or financial, be it one’s vulnerability to the adversity, or one’s ability to march on despite new sociopoliti- whether or not there is oil to be found), is, legal precedents for First environmental impact assessments, cal obstacles (such as carbon taxes, the Moreover, and fluctuating markets). international trade agreements, Nations’ land claims, like themselves as cowboys and rugged individualists, myth enables white-collar workers to see as corporate rather than and Hollywood pictures, those mavericks represented in dime novels bureaucrats subject to governmental regulation. Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on 26 September 2021 Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on26 September 2021

154 Kimberly Skye Richards 12 July 2017. (Photo by Kimberly Skye Richards) display ofwesternhospitalitydespitevenuesundertwoanda halfmetersofwater, no the cityneededtodirectresourcespreparedowntown and thegroundsfortheirannual firmed atapressconferencethattheStampedewouldgoon, “Comehellorhighwater,” and Bob Thompson, PresidentandChairmanoftheCalgary StampedeBoardofGovernors, con- ground. Justasthelocalcommunitybegantohelpfamiliesand businesseswithfloodrecovery, neighborhoods basin, andthecityofCalgarydeclaredastateemergency asresidentsfrommorethan20 question: Who isresponsibleforthefrontierscenario? (5).market’” As thisimmateriallabormaterializesinthecelebrationof cowboy, itraisesthe supersedes allpriorformsofsovereigntyandsmoothstheway forthe ‘realization oftheworld ing MichaelHardtand Antonio Negri, describesaspartofthe “emergence ofanapparatusthat really madeup(2). Stampedingis, then, aformoftheimmateriallaborthat Wickstrom, quot- dimensions, asiftheywerereal, andallowingthemtofeelrealevenwhenweknowtheyare logical resourcesofourbodies” whenweplayoutthesefictions, makingthemappearinthree (2006:4). embodied theatricallaborersontheirbehalf” We loancorporationsthe “phenomeno- Indian Village Figure 12. Stampeders cross the Elbow River to Enmax Park where In themonthleadingto2013Stampede, aterrific flood sweptthroughtheBowRiver the Calgary Stampedethe Calgary compared to an average day (Boutilier et al. 2017:13). Calgary’s School of Public Policy went up by 15% in found the that latter domestic half abuse ofcalls in Calgary cowgals and boys” for temporary liquor-fueled party (2014). A recent study conducted by the University of away from the parade and the exhibition on the grounds, the broader ethos celebrates a non-stop, the official Calgary hospitality,She Stampede brand asserts adds, “While integrity, pride of place and community; — — Elbow River Camp as of 2019 roughly 110,000people — — were toldtoleavetheirhomesandfleeforhigher is situated. ronments “turn usintoaffective, tions thatcreateimmersiveenvi- intensely pleasurable, corpora- other thanourselvesmightbe transformed intosomething although theexperienceofbeing try. Wickstrom arguesthat services thepetroleumindus- standing how “playing is helpfulforfurtherunder tal anditstheatricalseductions in herworkonglobalcapi- tion of“performingconsumers” Sexuality 2018). (Franklin 2016;Centrefor consent called#SafeStampede Centre tocreateacampaignfor with theCalgarySexualHealth of localCalgariansconnected Stampede thatin2015agroup have becomesocommonatthe harassment andsexualassault ing adress. Storiesofsexual ing herunderwearifsheiswear and thrownoff, sometimesflash- girl untilsheisfinallydefeated gawking spectatorstoogleatthe slow downthebucking, allowing I haveoftenseentheoperator Maurya Wickstrom’s descrip- Maurya Wickstrom’s hedonistic, public cowboy” - - Crude Optimism 155 -

53:131–39. Public 53:131–39. . Chicago: University . in Nigeria Nation: Oil and the Spectacle of Culture The Pan-African not just how the economy functions, but how we enact traditions and what not just how the economy functions, A full transition away from oil in Alberta (and elsewhere) will require chang- Alberta A full transition away from oil in 22 —

flood story, and producing the Stampede became a source of encouragement for a source of encouragement the Stampede became and producing the flood story,

I borrow this term from Nicholas Mirzoeff who examines how Western art has aestheticized anthropogenic artWestern anthropogenic aestheticized has how examines who Mirzoeff Nicholas from term this borrow I (2014:220). continue to extractivism that allows (an)aesthetic” destruction“Anthropocene an produced and www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/newsroom/focus-on-leadership-convention 2 June 2018. -centre-focuses-on-growth-3/. of Chicago Press. https://globalnews.ca/news/2478539/2015-worst-year-for-alberta-jobs-losses-since-1982/. January 2019. of School Alberta.” in Calgary, Violence Holidays and Domestic between Professional Sporting Events, 12:1–27. 10, Public Policy Cancel Stampede and the flood waters have won. The show goes on and the city’s charac- The show the flood waters have won. Cancel Stampede and And spirit began to rise. a community As the water receded, time. ter is proven one more Powered by peo- mops and machinery. with shovels and tools, together we came armed The pushed us forward. Their hydraulics reached out arms of steel. our community ple, Through hell or a battle cry throughout our neighborhoods. sound of reconstruction (Calgary Stampede 2013) high water we will overcome. of the petroleum and cultural industries produces The cultural and economic entanglement 22. References Accessed , 27 June. Herald Calgary “Cenovus broadens Stampede support.” 2017. Wil. Andruschak, Apter, Andrew. 2005. 2005. Andrew. Apter, .” la lettre A Cultural Olympiad avant “Calgary (1988): 2016. Susan. Bennett, NC: Duke University Press. Durham, Cruel Optimism. 2011. Lauren. Berlant, Accessed 26 January 26. Global News, Alberta jobs losses since 1982.” “2015 worst year for 2016. Ian. Bickis, “The Connection 2017. and Ron Kneebone. Wells, Lana Elena Esina, Ali Jadidzadeh, Sophia, Boutilier, mance cultures. - and rodeo arena com the chuckwagon track and the infield of into downtown, transportation wake of the flood labor performed in the The civic 2013). (CBC News pletely submerged became overcoming the disaster. The labor expended to ensure that the Stampede would take place the Stampede would to ensure that The labor expended the disaster. overcoming - overcoming cli for communities of performance practices to the importance draws attention after the flood emphasizes a few months promotional video released A other disasters. matic and the flood: “defeat” to the communal efforts nature’s destructive overcoming of humankind pitted against nature, The frontier narrative for res- and provide a model of subjects, came to script the actions labor, force through physical not wash away the spirit of the city that the flood waters of 2013 could The narrative olution. While it is positive to see a community come indicates the social significance of the Stampede. it may and commit to cultural programming against the odds, together in a moment of strife, of tough cowboys conquering nature (Taylor “bad script” also be that Calgary is stuck in a 1997:299). fuel society; crude optimism persists even when a an impasse to transitioning away from a fossil global warming resulting from the release of carbon flood is exacerbated by climate chaos and nihilistic attachment Our to the burning of fossil fuels. in no small part, dioxide into the air due, and to borrow LeMenager’s metaphor, “ultradeep,” is to fossil fuel extraction and consumption As the climate us from that dependency (2013:3). will require a significant disruption to release but involves complex socioeconomic, and carbon, crisis is not reducible to substances like oil theatre and performance scholars ought and cultural operations linked to colonialism, political, to and sticky affects that stymy efforts (an)aesthetics” “Anthropocene to bring to light those other perfor and allow extractivism to continue within Canadian and wean us off of fossil fuels, ing everything stories we tell. Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on 26 September 2021 Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dram_a_00839 by guest on26 September 2021

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