Alberta cowboys rake in most of the big bucks

Page 11

It has been a long drought for the national Indian rodeo scene in Alberta. In fact, 20 years have lapsed since Hobbema, long considered the rodeo capital in Indian Country, played host to any major Indian rodeo. Back then, it was the Indian Rodeo Cowboys Association that was going strong.

Nonetheless, the long dry spell of some 20 years came to a conclusion following the Nov. 18 to 21 Canadian Indian Finals Rodeo at Hobbema's Panee Memorial Agri-plex.

According to Shellie Yellowbird of YB Consulting and Promotions that co-ordinated the rodeo, the event was a resounding success with attendance up, tons of visitors and Albertans taking most of the prize money.

Backed by corporate sponsors - Peace Hills Trust, Saskatchewan Indian Gaming, Alberta Indian Investment Corp., Scotia Bank, Velvet Exploration, Alberta Sports, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation, as well as the Samson, Ermineskin and Siksika First Nations - the rodeo attracted cowboys primarily from the western provinces, as well as folks from Arizona, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Heck, one contestant had to sell some of his horses to make it to the rodeo, but it paid off big as Alison Red Crow from Siksika combined his talents with good draws to win every go-round of the Bareback Bronc Riding and rode off with more than $3,200. Placing was Montana's Bill Olinger and Kainai's Kevin Fox.

The rodeo attracted top cowboys from all over, including world champions from the 1999 Indian National Finals Rodeo, like Hank Bruisedhead (bulls) and Jay Crawler (roper and all around cowboy) in addition to former and current world champions Sharon Small, Leslie Stang, Wylie Wells and Traci Vaille.

And there were other household names, names synonymous with Indian rodeo over the past quarter of a century - Blackwater, Creighton, Dixon, Littlebear, Louis, Martineau, McLean, Pickens, Youngpine and others.

The entire affair was kicked off with a special recognition of veterans and Elders. Young people also played prominent roles in the opening ceremonies.

Only the top two cowboys from the six different Indian rodeo associations and from Alberta's top two Indian rodeos were eligible to compete in the 10 categories.

Raf Deguevara from Vernon, B.C., managed to squeeze by Montana's Jason Lawrence and Ben Louis, also from the Okanagan, to win the Saddle Bronc. Northern Metis, Derek Martineau, out-pointed Greg Louis from Montana, as well as British Columbia's Dion Williams, to capture the bull riding event.

In calf roping, it was Dwight Bruisedhead from Kainai who came out on top as he narrowly defeated John Pickens from Oklahoma. Only one point separated the third- and fourth-place finishers, Slim Creighton and Levi Blackwater, both from Kainai.

As for the team roping, the swiftness demonstrated by the duo of Boyd Wesley and Elliot Benjamin was sufficient to beat out Slim Creighton and John Pickens who tied for second and third place with Troy and Jay Crawler.

In the ladies' division, the breakaway roping was won by Henny Bruisedhead from Kainai,followed by Montana's Barb Reagan and Sharon Small.

In steer wrestling, Shane Littlebear from Kainai endured by a mere two points over Tom Dixon from Morley. Finishing third was yet another Littlebear by the name of Lewis.

The boys' steer riding was won by Thomas Chiefmoon from Kainai, while fellow residents Lane Littlebear and Wacey Big Throat placed second and third.

Yvette Fangsrud from California turned the barrels faster than the second- and third-place finishers, Jackie Blackwater and Joanne Blood from Kainai, to take the ladies barrel racing. In the junior division, two Montana gals, Megan Lunak and Shanna Johnson, ran one-two, while Crystal Potts drew up third for some of the cash.

The all around cowboy went to Dwight Bruisedhead, who's had a tremendous season this past year, and the all around cowgirl title went to Montana veteran, Traci Vaille.

With the success of this rodeo and the apparent reewed interest from contestants and sponsors alike, Shellie and Marvin Yellowbird say they hope to see national and international Indian rodeos back on the road in a more permanent fashion.