It seems like oil and water, fire and ice-opposites never meant to bond-or an oxymoron, like "jumbo shrimp," but Indian cowboys, or cowboy Indians, are not a figment of our wild imagination. Throughout the Americas, from the pampas of Argentina to the grasslands of Alberta, Indians can be found on horseback, as "cowboy" as any lanky Anglo-American in south Texas pushing through the rough chaparral. In fact, Indians are among the finest horseback riders of all time. Comanche warriors were noted for their ability to cling to their galloping horses' far sides while firing arrows under their steeds' necks at their adversaries, just one of the many amazing deeds on horseback linked to the Native peoples of the Americas. Central to this tradition of raising and riding horses is the institution of rodeo. Indian rodeo is as much a part of Native American life and culture, perhaps more so in its historical reach, than say powwow dancing, yet is largely unrecognized outside its own circle of participants and fans. But the action, dedication and passion found here are as heartfelt as it gets on any cowboy grounds. Join us now as we gallop through the arena of Indian rodeo. -DG The best known of all early Indian cowboys was Jackson Sundown (Nez Perce), a veteran of the NezPerce War of 1877 and nephew of famed Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce. He did not start competing professionally until he was over 40, but he went on to win the World Championship in 1916. Among early Canadian stars was Tom Three Persons (Blood) of Alberta, who won the World Bucking Horse Championship at the first-ever Calgary Stampede in 1912, beating out many experienced American cowboys and becoming an instant icon. The combining of both American and Canadian Indian rodeo associations into the Indian National Finals Rodeo association in 1976 was a pivotal step in the development of Indian rodeo. Through the hard work of numerous individuals like the late Navajo Dean C. Jackson and Canadian rodeo legend Fred Gladstone (Blood), the first Indian National Finals Rodeo circuit was held in 1976. Today INFR ties together more than 12 regional American and Canadian Indian rodeo associations. Pete Fredericks (Three Affiliated Tribes) and the late Cecil Currie Sr. (Plains Cree) of Canada also deserve recognition in the annals of Indian rodeo. Currie was the first Canadian Native nominated to serve as INFR commissioner, but he humbly declined and nominated Gladstone instead. Currie's daughter, Shelli Currie Yellowbird, has followed in her father's footsteps in the promotion of Indian rodeo. Legendary Native riders including Kenton Randle (Metis), Fred Gladstone's son Jim Gladstone (Blood), and Ed Hoylan (Navajo) have electrified crowds whenever and wherever they rode. Hoylan continues to compete today at major venues, while Gladstone is considering a run in the senior division. Indian rodeo has profoundly evolved over the years, but one constant is the overall natural skills of the competitors, from Jackson Sundown to the great Sioux rider Tom Reeves. And somewhere out on some bare reservation ground, an Indian boy or girl is reining in a horse, turning it in a sharp circle and then sprinting off into the distance. Tom Reeves: That title was a manifestation of the work ethic and modesty that have defined Reeves' career. "When I would win [an event], I would never go all out on it," he says. "After a win or whatever, I would appreciate it but soon move on because I still had my championship goal. When I finally won the World Championship, I was very thankful. It relieved a lot of pressure off me." Reeves grew up on a ranch about 50 miles from the town of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, which had a population of about 500 in his youth. He was bussed to a boarding school in Eagle Butte, which he liked, contradicting the many negative images of such schools. But since an early age, rodeo was the focus of his life. "I started off real quick," he recalls. "I did everything real fast. I was in Indian rodeos when I was just 14 and 15. I would practice three or four days a week, even in the winter. The snow didn't stop me. I had to do it. I got my permit to ride in the PRCA when I was just 16-now you have to be 18." After graduating from high school, Reeves hit the pro circuit hard, chasing after the world saddle bronc title. At one point, he contemplated retirement prior to winning it all. "But when you get up in the morning, you still got to make a living," he notes. This blue-collar approach not only landed him his championship in 2001, it also gave him the chance to showcase his talent in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where he won a silver medal. "I was pretty dang happy to compete in the Olympics," he says. "They've only had rodeo in the Olympics twice [in Salt Lake and Montreal] and I got a chance to be in one. It was as if all my dreams had come true." It's been a long road to get here, but Reeves is gracious about all the times he's failed. "Failure is a part of success. You have to use it as a stepping stone. Any great athlete doesn't think of failure as a setback. He thinks, 'This is a stepping stone I can learn from.'" Reeves currently lives with his wife, Carmen, three daughters and new son Zane in Stephenville, Texas, about 60 miles southwest of Dallas. He plans to compete this year on the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit, as well as promote his own Wild Card Rodeo (see events section) and oversee a rodeo school he's launched. Of his new endeavors, he notes, "Even in this, you got to work hard to build your name up." The champ advises other aspiring riders to believe in themselves. "Have a vision. Set some goals and pursue them. Work as hard as you want and don't let people talk you out of what you want to do. When I was young I just worked hard. I never had no sponsor for 15 years. If you are an Indian, use it to your advantage in a positive way. You can use grants to go to college, things like that. Be proud to be Native American. You can get your whole tribe behind you. I'm proud to be in the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe." Reeves also says not to let real or imagined prejudices keep you from your dreams. "Because once you get on that horse or animal, they don't care what color of skin you have. You have to evaluate yourself. When you get to a certain level, you don't need the judges to tell you how you rode, because you know if you rode good or not. You just get out there and ride!"
Katrina Williams: "An auntie of mine, Faye Nelson, who did barrel racing and Indian rodeo back in the '80s, introduced me to it when I was young," she explains about her interest in rodeos. Williams started hitting the INFR (Indian National Finals Rodeo) circuit hard in 1996 with her boyfriend, Kevin Little Light. Their grueling schedule paid off in her 2000 championship year. "It was just a matter of getting down the road. We did a lot of traveling that year, but it was all worth it. We were very happy," she says. Most satisfactory for her was winning with horses that she had personally trained. "The training is the most enjoyable part of it all for me." But she appreciates other aspects of the Indian rodeo life, particularly that it is a "family-oriented affair. The whole idea is going out there and being a part of it." Adrian Jawort (Northern Cheyenne) is a freelance journalist and writer who lives in Billings, MT.
RODEO 101 There are six main events in men's rodeo, though not all rodeos stage all six. In bullriding, saddlebronc and bareback riding, half of the score depends on the mount's performance-the tougher the mount, the higher the potential score-and half on the rider's performance. In these events, the rider must stay on for at least eight seconds or he is disqualified. Steer wrestling, calf roping and team roping are timed events. Saddlebronc Bareback Bronc Bullriding Steer Wrestling Calf Roping Team Roping
A Dozen Other Riders to Watch
Riding the History Trail of Indian Rodeo
When the formerly nomadic Native peoples of North America were confined to reservations throughout the western states at the end of the 19th century, many worked on ranches where their expertise with horses was needed. They were recruited into the early "Wild West" shows, such as those organized by Buffalo Bill Cody and Pawnee Bill. Over time, some Indians were encouraged to participate in rodeos after impressing employers and other hands with their abilities.
Rodeos served as an escape from the rough transitory conditions found on reservations in the early 20th century. Communities united to provide good old-fashioned entertainment and camaraderie, the same as today. Natives gradually started forming their own rodeo associations to combat the purported unfair timekeeping and judging in the 1950s. This trend led to a more professional atmosphere in their own independent rodeos. The prize money, livestock quality and scale of the events grew quickly.
World Bronc Champ Ridin' High
Tom Reeves (Cheyenne River Sioux) recalls the day in 2001 when he won the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Saddle Bronc Championship at the veteran age of 37. "It was such a relief. I had thought about it every day from when I was 14 up until I was 37. When I started out, that was my goal-to win the World Saddle Bronc Championship."
A lot of miles for World Champion Cowgirl
In 2000, Katrina Williams won the All-around World Champion Cowgirl title in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 27-year-old, who has ridden since she was four, hails from the Mount Currie Band of the Stl'at'mx Nation of British Columbia, and currently resides in Mount Currie. She competes in breakaway roping and barrel racing.
The cowboy must hang on to a wildly bucking mount with only one hand on a bronc rein. If his free hand touches his gear, himself or the horse, he is automatically disqualified. During the ride, he spurs the horse (with dulled spurs) from the neck to the back of the saddle, trying to synchronize his spurring with the bronc's actions.
In this event, the rider has only a bit of leather and a grip like a suitcase handle to hang on to-with only one hand. If his free hand touches his gear, himself or the horse, he is automatically disqualified. Spurring technique is important to his score.
Staying on a ton or so of angry bull is not for the faint of heart. The rider hangs on to a flat braided rope with one hand. If his free hand touches his gear, himself or the horse, he is automatically disqualified. Spurring is not required but can result in a higher score. This is the most dangerous event in rodeo, since angry bulls are not likely to run away as a horse will. That's what the clowns are for-not just for a laugh, but to lure bulls away from a rider in danger on the ground.
Two cowboys, the hazer and the bulldogger, ride after the steer. The hazer's job is to make the steer run into the center of the arena. The bulldogger rides on the other side of the steer, grabs the steer's horn, slides out of his saddle and plants his boots to stop the steer. The last step is to twist the steer's head so that the steer lands on its side. When all four legs are pointing in the same direction, the clock is stopped.
After the calf is released, the mounted cowboy takes off in pursuit, lasso swinging. Once the calf is roped, the rider dismounts, flips the calf onto its side and ties three feet together with a pigging string. The clock is stopped when he raises his hands. Then the cowboy remounts and loosens the rope. If the calf doesn't stay tied with the pigging string for six seconds, his time doesn't count.
The only true team event in pro rodeo pairs two cowboys, the header and the heeler. The header chases the steer down and ropes him around the horns or neck. The header then turns the steer so that the heeler can rope its hind feet. If only one foot is roped, a five-second penalty is assessed. Time is called when the two horses are facing each other across the secured steer.
Dustin Bird (Blackfeet), Cutbank, MT: Will tear it up in team roping.
Clint Bruisedhead (Blood), Standoff, Alberta: All-around contender.
Doug Fish (Creek), Harrah, OK: PRCA bullrider works hard.
Spike Guardipee (Blackfeet), Browning, MT: Veteran cowboy always in the hunt.
Clarence Gilham (Blackfeet), Browning, MT: Won coveted All Around INFR Championship in 2002.
Clint Harry (Washoe/Pauite), Nixon, NV: Team roper may win championship yet.
Jeremy Meeks (Lakota Sioux), Batesland, SD: Lakota bronc rider destined for greatness.
Beau Michaels (Blackfeet), Browning, MT: INFR 2002 saddle bronc champion.
Wiley Petersen (Shoshone Bannock), Fort Hall, ID: Young bull rider "riding for Jesus."
Todd Rangel (Navajo), Stephenville, TX: He'll turn heads in bronc riding.
Kyle Smith (Navajo), Crownpoint, NM: talented young steer wrestler.
Preston Williams (Paiute/Shoshone), Schurz, NV: INFR Calf Roping Champion 2001.
