Pool tourney recognizes Canadian living legend

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His name was whispered softly and reverently in pool halls all across the country.

"That's him . . . that's Indian Joe, the guy I was telling ya about."

Such was the respect afforded one of this country's best snooker players.

Over the course of the past 50 years, he was one of pool's most feared and revered players. He was a master, a gentleman, a champion and one of the sports greatest ambassadors.

He was "Indian Joe" (Joe Big Plume), a living legend from the Tsuu T'ina First Nation located on the outskirts of Calgary.

Big Plume, who turned 75 this spring, was honored by family and friends with a pool tournament named after him that was held in Calgary from June 27 to July 1.

About 175 Aboriginal players from British Columbia to Ontario attended the Joe Big Plume 8-Ball Classic.

Big Plume opened the tournament with a customary breaking of a rack of balls. And with a few kind words from his grandson and tournament organizer, Sonny Littlelight, who praised him for his numerous accomplishments, the tournament was on.

"He was the best around and beat the likes of the legendary Minnesota Fats, former world champions Cliff Thorburn and John Spencer, as well as many provincial and national champions," said Littlelight.

"He also has three perfect games of 147 points to his record, a feat that even some world champions cannot boast about."

The tournament attracted all levels of players from B rankings and on up to Open and Masters levels and proved a true delight to many observers and contestants.

One of the more thrilling moments came in the finals of the Teams category when the Ab-N-Originals from Calgary and Tsuu T'ina went head-to-head with the Renegades from Edmonton and Hobbema. The Ab-N-Originals jumped into the lead, then the Renegades turned it around. The Ab-N-Originals were hard-pressed to come back from a 21-point deficit and found themselves struggling to do some catch-up work in the final set of frames.

When the scorers checked each other's totals, lo and behold, they both had 166! A tie?

However, a quick recount soon found an error in the third of five sets of frames. There had been a miscalculation of a single point that vaulted the Ab-N-Originals into the winner's circle.

The winning team, comprised of Sonny Littlelight, John Daniels, Kevin and Robert Cardinal, Al Johnson and Leon Trudeau, walked off with $1,700, while second was worth $1,100 and third, to Cody's little Kahunas, earned them $700.

Next year, according to Littlelight, the teams and singles will likely have a larger pay-out as it is based on the number of entries and this year's tournament was not completely full.

"Still," said Littlelight, "the feedback on the tournament was very positive and most players assured me that they would come back again. Everyone claimed to be happy with the prizes and money." As it was, beautifully embroidered jackets and vests were presented to all first and second place finishers.

In the Scotch Doubles, Lawrence Campeau and Tina Roasting from Hobbema beat out John Pipestem Sr. and Mary Rayner, while Jana Smallboy from Hobbema bested Mary Rayner to win the Ladies. As for the Men's singles, Jim Ward of Edmonton outplayed one of his fellow team members, Sandy Chalifoux, to take that category. The only remaining category, which featured the premiere players, was the Masters, which was won by Russ McKay from Saskatchewan. He ground it out with Dave Meguinis from Tsuu T'ina in a tough battle to the finish.