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.   

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: Desiree Smartlowit, Bobby Louis,
Trina Bowers

Featured Youth for the month of September 

Raven Shade




Raven Shade, at 9 years of age, a member of the Blood Tribe Nation from Standoff, Alberta, is an exceptional Barrel Racer.  Riding the horse (Botchi) that took her mom (Janelle) to the Indian National Finals Rodeo when she was 13 years old. 

Raven started riding horses when she was 3 years old.  While doing the morning chores of feeding his rodeo and race horses, her grandfather (Don) would tie a rope around his waist and Raven would ride along side him.  By the time she was 5 years old Raven was an accomplished rider.  At 6 she started to compete and qualified for the IRCA Region 1 finals rodeo and she won almost every rodeo and  has qualified every year since then.  At this time she is currently leading in the Junior Barrels in the IRCA standings.   At 8 years old she started to compete in the Chinook Rodeo Association which is an open non-native Rodeo circuit that covers an area from Calgary, Alberta south to the United States border and into eastern British Columbia and into western Saskatchewan.  Raven set three records of being the youngest female to ever qualify, the youngest Junior Barrel to ever qualify and the youngest contestant of the 2002 Chinook finals.  What is even more astonishing is the fact that all of these records were set by a Native.  The Chinook Rodeo Association has been around for nearly 40 years.



Raven comes from a long line of rodeo competitors in her family.  Her Great Grandfather, Harry Shade was the first Indian rodeo contractors in Canada producing rodeos for the IRCA, Chinook Rodeo Association, United Indian Rodeo Association, Alberta High School Association, Little Britches and many open amateur rodeos and supplying stock for the Indian National Finals Rodeo since it's conception.  He also owned racehorses and was a Saddle Bronc and Steer Decorating champion. 

Raven's mom, (Janelle) was a highly skilled competitor.  She won 7 trophy saddles, over 50 buckles, jackets etc.  While competing in the IRCA, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPBRA) and the Chinook Rodeo Association.  She too set many records such as winning 20 of 22 rodeos in one year.  She won the IRCA Junior Barrel Racing title at 12 and winning the Senior title at 13 (a records that still stands today) and qualified for the Indian National Finals Rodeo.  By the time this article is published, Janelle will have completed a combined degree in a Bachelor of Education and another in Bachelor of Arts and Science and will become a teacher. 


Raven's Auntie is Katelynn who is 16 years old.  She was the IRCA Barrel Racing Rookie of the year in 2001 and the IRCA Junior Barrel Racing Champion in 2002.  Her and Raven practice together offering each other help and advice and being there to support one another at the rodeos they compete at.  Katelynn is also an accomplished high school basketball and volleyball player competing at the 4A high school level.  Katelynn also played on a girl's Ringette (similar to hockey) team that qualified for the Alberta Provincial's.  Katelynn also has played on a girls hockey team.  

Raven's Uncle is Cam.  Cam has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Bio-Chemistry and also a Bachelor of Education Degree and recently completed his Masters Degree in Education.  Cam trains racehorses both Quarter horses and Thoroughbreds for his father Don and his late great grandfather Harry.  Cam received his knowledge about horses from his grandfather Harry and his father Don.  He keeps Raven's horse fit and ready for competition and also acts as her Veterinarian. 

Raven's grandmother is Marie.  Marie is the Principal of the Standoff Elementary School and holds a Masters Degree in Education.  When Janelle was running in the junior barrel racing competition, Marie was competing in the Ladies Barrel Racing and having qualified for the IRCA finals for three years in a row before retiring.  She is now head of Cheerleading and the Video department and never misses a rodeo to see Raven and Katelynn compete and offers consolation and congratulations for all their runs and always packs a fantastic picnic basket.



Raven's grandfather Don, is her trainer, coach, manager, truck driver, banker, accountant, stall cleaner, equipment manager, advisor and biggest fan.  Pumpa as he commonly referred to is constantly helping her and teaching her the finer aspects of horsemanship, equine care, and developing a healthy competitive attitude.  Pumpa patiently spent many, endless hours grooming Raven for competition.  When not working with Raven, Pumpa who also holds a Masters Degree in Education, teaches at the College and University level along with his farming, ranching and racehorses.  Pumpa spent many years in the IRCA as a competitor in the Calf Roping, Team Roping, and Steer Wrestling events. 



When asked about her future, Raven States that she would like to become a worlds champion barrel racer and become a Veterinarian and train barrel horses.  Raven has already trained her pony to run barrels.  When not in school or on the road heading to a rodeo, Raven is riding horses.  Raven was recently featured on a documentary that was shown on national Canadian television.  Raven also competes in girls hockey, figure skating, basketball, soccer and is a traditional dancer.  At this year's school closing awards, Raven was the recipient of the top female athlete and an academic award.  Raven is a very modest, outgoing, articulate individual who communicates well with all she comes into contact with her and never speaks of her accomplishments unless asked. 



When the girls are on the road, they have support of the whole family including the aunts, uncles, grandparents who follow them to give their support.


Marie stated, "We did all of this when Janelle was competing, then we had a brief rest, and now with Raven we're starting all over again.  With three younger granddaughters, we will be following the rodeo trail well into our 80's!  But it's worth it, it keeps us looking forward to the next rodeo and keeps us young and both Don and I we are having lots of fun".


Editors Note:  It was a pleasure working with Raven's Grandpa "Don Shade" in preparing her story.  Something that I feel is important to our readers and mostly the kids who read her story is that, though Raven and "Botchi" are doing very well this year in the barrel racing event, each time they go out and make their run, it's for FUN, both horse and rider are enjoying themselves.
We find that when kids compete, the added pressure of "winning" becomes more important that just having fun, and enjoying yourself.  It is encouraged that whether you are competing in rodeo events, horse show events, livestock shows, or other sports events, the youth should be involved at the level of not always needing to win, but, to embrace the moment and time spent with your animal or team, to have fun, and be happy no matter if you place second or last, or lose the game.  The experience you have while growing up in your young years is so important not to miss out on the simple things in life, be good at what you want to do, if your going to do it, and have FUN!  

I would like to highlight Raven's horse "Botchi", as you
read her story, you learn that "Botchi" was her Mom's barrel horse.  He's been to the Indian National Finals Rodeo 6 times in his career.  Canadian Pro Barrel racer "Monica Wilson" rode "Botchi" at the Calgary Stampede.  He also has been down the road and ran and won at the big Pro rodeos in his career.  Don Shade emphasized that "Botchi" could run faster with Raven riding him, he still has an "extra gear"  her times are faster than the senior's currently running the barrels in their rodeos.  But the horse is enjoying himself, and the two are currently first place in the IRCA Junior Barrel Racing standings.  Indian Cowboys have commented to me that they watch Raven and Botchi compete and are amazed on how well he's running in the barrels at his age, it is "truly a wonderful site to watch them both compete" quoted by one IRCA roper.   A horse like "Botchi" who 
takes care of Raven when running that fast in the barrel racing event, should be nominated for the Indian Rodeo News Hall of Fame for "Horse of the Year".......

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?  

Indian Rodeo News asks for you to send in your story about yourself, who inspired you to ride, rodeo, ranch, etc.  You must be age 18 and under.   We welcome as many pictures you have to share with our readers.  Email your questions and or story to 
Gina@indianrodeonews.com