Shannon Murray
About Shannon Murray
Shannon Murray serves as the Manager of Indigenous Engagement at The Calgary Stampede and has held the position since 2018. With a PhD in History from the University of Calgary, she has extensive experience in Indigenous program development and engagement.
Work at Calgary Stampede
Shannon Murray has been serving as the Manager of Indigenous Engagement at The Calgary Stampede since 2018. In this role, she focuses on fostering relationships with Indigenous communities and managing stakeholders and partners of Elbow River Camp. Prior to this position, she worked as the Program Coordinator for Indian Village and Sweetgrass Lodge from 2016 to 2018, where she contributed to the development of programs that highlighted Indigenous culture. Additionally, she developed and executed an ongoing Indigenous Youth Program aimed at engaging young people with Indigenous heritage.
Education and Expertise
Shannon Murray holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History from the University of Calgary, which she completed from 2008 to 2015. She also earned a Master’s Degree in History from the same institution between 2006 and 2008. Earlier, she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of South Dakota from 2002 to 2006. Her academic background provides her with a strong foundation in historical studies, which she applies in her current role and in her work as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Calgary since 2016.
Background
Before her current role at The Calgary Stampede, Shannon Murray held various positions that contributed to her expertise in Indigenous engagement and heritage tourism. She worked as the Interim Senior Director of Programs and Exhibitions at Fort Calgary for six months in 2020. Additionally, she served as an Instructor in Heritage Tourism at St. Mary's University of San Antonio, Texas, for four months in 2021. These experiences have shaped her approach to community engagement and program development.
Achievements
Shannon Murray has co-created programs in collaboration with partners from Treaty 7 First Nations, including Siksika, Piikani, Kainai, Tsuut'ina, and Iyarhe Nakoda. She has also developed and delivered awareness training aimed at supporting organizational capacity building in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her initiatives reflect her commitment to enhancing understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures within the community.