Newcomers to Calgary embraced the western spirit at the Ismaili Muslim Community's annual Stampede Breakfast on Saturday.

The multicultural feel of the breakfast makes it a popular spot for new immigrants getting their first taste of Western culture — and western cowboy traditions.

Sophia Ramzan, who moved to Canada from Pakistan seven months ago, said watching her daughter perform in the Calgary Stampede parade Friday was a moving moment for her.

"I feel I'm proud of being here. It was a wise decision to move in here and enjoy life thoroughly," she said.

Rozina Manji, who has been flipping pancakes at the breakfast since it started 13 years ago, came to Calgary from Kenya.

Culture shock

She said the first rodeo-focused Stampede can be a culture shock for some.

"Dressing up like western people, line dancing and entertainment, is all western so it's new for them. It's good."

Jason Kenney, federal minister of citizenship, immigration and multiculturalism, said it's a great experience for newly minted citizens.

"It's amazing how many new Canadians, new Calgarians, are out there embracing the western spirit, the western history and roots of Calgary," he said.

"It's a great identity. It's about freedom, it's about openness, it's about new opportunities and that's why newcomers come to Canada … [are] happy to embrace the western spirit at Stampede."

Kenney, also a Calgary MP, said Canada's approach to pluralism works.

"People come and they want to integrate. They want to maintain their own identity and also adopt their local Canadian identity, and that's exactly what's happening," he said.

The Ismaili Muslim Community feeds nearly 5,000 at its annual Stampede Breakfast.