Native Youth 

This is a brand new page added to Indian Rodeo News.  Our goal here is to recognize all Indian children and teenagers who ride horses, rodeo, ranch, and kids who participate in taking pictures at events.

Each month starting with December 2002 we will try to feature a Indian Youth who is active in riding horses, rodeo, ranching, and photography.   


Do you know a Native Indian Youth who has worked hard to achieve their goals and accomplishments?  Would you like to be featured as a Native Youth role model?  Any Native youth ages 18 and under can be featured.  

Indian Rodeo News asks for you to send in your story about yourself, who inspired you to ride, rodeo, ranch, etc.     We welcome as many pictures you have to share with our readers.  Email your questions and or story to 
Gina@indianrodeonews.com 

To Read about the featured Native Youth from the previous months click on their names below to check out their stories and pictures.

December 2002: Nicole Tsosie
January 2003:  Kayonnie Badonie
February 2003: Whitney O'Rourke
March 2003: Charles Gottfriedson
April 2003:  Jenna Johnson, Liana Tom 
May 2003: Devyn Dennison, Jarrett Monroe 
June 2003: Tess Ducheneaux, 
Wade Marchand,
 Ethan Gopher
July 2003: Chantel Williams
August 2003: Trina Bowers, Bobby Louis, 
Desiree Smartlowit
September 2003: Raven Shade, Sammy Jo Bird
October 2003:  Ashlee Strom, Hattie Emm
November 2003: Sonya Goseyn
December 2003: 
January 2004:
February 2004: Nicole Welsh-Romo
April 2004: Ashley Picard, Brett Williams
May 2004: Jesse Gonzales
June 2004: Ty Pablo
Jenifer ManuelJuly 2004: Kylie Yazzie
August 2004: 
September 2004: Ty St. Goddard

October 2004: Misty Tatsey

Featured Native Youth

Name:
James Wesley Rhodes - from Sacaton, Arizona

Age: 15

Family:
My parents are Wesley & Paula (Vavages) Rhodes, two brothers Dugan and Justin Rhodes and one sister Amy Nicole Rhodes. My maternal grandparents are the late F. Gordon Vavages, who was from Sacaton. My grandma Angie (Polacca) & grandpa Curt Thompson reside in Parker, Arizona. My paternal grandparents are the late Harold W. Rhodes who was from Goodyear village; and my grandma Permelia Rhodes resides in Sacaton.

 

What tribe are you a member of or descendant from?
Hopi/Tewa/Pima - I am an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community. On my Hopi/Tewa side—I am Sun Clan.

Grade and Name of school:
I am a freshman at Coolidge High School (I’m a year behind due to being out of school —because last year, I fractured three vertebrae’s in my back). 

Activities, hobbies and other interests:
Outside of rodeo, I like to ride my bike and compete in the amateur division of BMX (dirt & park), I’m a member of “315 BMX” a local bike club. I also play baseball & football. During down time – I strum a few tunes on my acoustic and electric guitars. 

Pets:
“Sweetie” she’s a sorrel quarter horse (head & heel) and “Little Biz” a black and white paint horse that my dad and I are training. We have three dogs --”Wrangler,” “Angus” & “Java.” 

What events in Rodeo or helping your family are you in involved in?
I love to ride bulls; I compete in the Bull riding / Jr. Bull riding events. And I also compete in the team roping event as a header; I rope along with my Dad and my brother Dugan at jackpot and USTRC ropings. Another event I am learning is calf roping. As far as helping my family -- it’s my responsibility to care for the horses; like feed, water, grooming and make sure they are in the best of health, and I am also responsible for all the equipment we use. When I win money at a rodeo, I give a part of my winnings to my parents to help pay for feed, our Ferrier, traveling expenses and food. I use the rest to rope on and buy ropes and any other equipment I might need and for lunch money at school.




What achievements have you made in your event you compete in or activities you are involved in?
I have been riding rough stock since I was four (4) years old, started out riding calves and won numerous 2nd and 3rd place ribbons and trophies. I won my first calf-riding buckle in 1997 when I was 8 yrs old--at D’s arena in Sacaton Flats, AZ. Other winnings include: Champion Calf Rider--1997 & 1998--Ronald L. Manuel Memorial Jr. Rodeo (Sells, AZ); Champion Calf Rider for 1998 at the Ft. McDowell Jr. Rodeo (Fountain Hills, AZ); Champion Steer Rider—1998--Little Tucson Bull Buster Buckle Series (Little Tucson Village – TO Nation, AZ); Champion Steer Rider 1998 -- Double OO Rodeo Team Rough Stock Event 1998 (Sacaton Flats, AZ); Champion Steer Rider—1997, 1998, 2001 and 2002--Parker Indian Rodeo (Parker, AZ); Jr. Bull Riding Champion - Damon Rhodes Memorial Rough Stock Event 2002 (Gary Mix arena – Stotonic, AZ); Open Bull Riding Champion – Hickiwan Winter Rodeo 2003 (Vaya Chin Village, TO Nation, AZ); Open Bull Riding Champion – Rough Stock Birthday event for Jaylon Joaquin 2004 (Casa Grande, AZ); Team Roping Champion – Native American Day Jr. Rodeo 2004 (Sacaton, AZ). I have placed 2nd or 3rd numerous times in the calf, steer, bull riding and team roping events.

 

What are your future goals in the events you participate in?
To go as far as I can – ride my way to the INFR and the NFR.

Who is your ultimate hero?
I have two; First is our Creator, he has given me the talent to ride and rope and he paves a safe path for me and my family to follow each and every day. Then my parents; I owe a debt of gratitude to them for all the hours and money spent for us to rodeo, play sports, just about everything. They drive us to rodeos in the early morning hours before sun up and back home again late at night (rain or shine), I know they are pretty worn out most of the time but they never complain. My Mom is my biggest fan, you can hear her a mile away (smile Mom) cheering for me at a rodeo, she truly believes in my efforts. My Dad has been my teacher – you can always find him helping me out in the bucking chute or at the roping box. If it weren’t for our Creator and my parents I wouldn’t be where I’m at today.

Within the rodeo world, who is your ultimate favorite cowboy or cowgirl?
My favorite cowboy is my dad, everything I’ve learned in the arena I learned from him. My favorite cowgirl is my auntie Bobbie Riggs; she’s a champion breakaway roper. 

 

What is your favorite TV show?
The Simpson’s


What is your favorite movie?
“Billy Madison” and “The Cowboys”



What are some of your favorite songs and music?
My favorite music is classic rock and the old country/western; I grew up on that music, because that was all my Mom & Dad listened to. I like music from Jethro Tull, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Bob Dylan, AC/DC to George Jones and Johnny Cash.

What do you do to help others?
When I’m behind the chutes at a Jr. Rodeo I help out the little kids who ride woolies, calves and steers. There are times when they ask me questions; I just help any way I can. I talk with these rough stock cowboys and cowgirls, encouraging them to stick with rodeo, and give them a few pointers--I don’t try to be a “know-it-all” I just basically speak to them with respect--the way some of the older cowboys talk to me. I lend a hand to the other riders if they need it, like pulling their rope, etc. Right now I am helping my mom & dad work with my 6 yr old cousin Clarissa “toot-toot” Earl. She’s interested in rodeos and has been competing in the wooly-riding event at a few Jr. Rodeos. My dad and I have been teaching her the basics of riding and caring for horses, we started working with her on barrel racing and pole bending. It gives me a good feeling to see her start out in rodeo, there are just a few kids here on Gila River who rodeo.

When you grow up and graduate from school, what are your plans?
Ever since I was 4 years old all I ever wanted to be was a bull rider and a marine. My dad wasn’t a bull rider but I plan to follow in my dad’s footsteps and join the United States Marine Corps after high school. Then I want to come home and go to college, work and rodeo.

Do you plan to attend college? If so, what would be your major?
Yes, I do. Don’t know what I want to major in yet, but I do know that if I want to make a good life for myself – I have to get a good education.

If you could give advice to another native youth on how to get started doing what you are involved with, what advice would you give them?
I would really like to see a lot more kids here on my rez get involved in rodeo; unfortunately I am probably the only young bull rider on my rez. Matter of fact, there are only about five or six of us kids on our whole reservation that rodeo. So for the rest of the kids on my rez and in Indian country…if you happen to be at a rodeo, just talk to some of the cowboys or cowgirls about the sport – Sometimes you’ll find someone who’ll let you ride their horse around the arena, just to get the feeling. For rough stock, a lot of times the cowboys will tell you “just get on” and if you’ve tried it and liked it, don’t give up. You may also want to go to a good rodeo school for the event that strikes your interest. Then practice, practice, and practice. 

If you were granted one wish what would it be?
My wish would be to have my ALL my family safe and healthy.



What would you do to educate others about being a Native American youth from your tribe?
Stay focused…think positive…stay in school…drugs destroy dreams…Never give up! Whatever positive thing you choose to do – believe in yourself and follow your dreams, sometimes life is hard and there are all sorts of reasons why some of us can’t move forward, but “where there’s a will – there’s a way!” Be respectful of all native cultures, if you get a chance to hear a story or two from an elder, sit down and listen because they are full of wisdom and knowledge and they have a lot to share. Be thankful for what you have and will receive, most of all respect your elders and your parents. 







Indian Rodeo News would like to thank James, his mom Paula" for taking the time to put together hir story.    James serves as a role model for other Native Youth who are interested in following her footsteps.   We are sure to see more of James competing and winning in the rodeo arena!