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 

This Month of June we are recognizing   


  Wade Marchand


Photo above courtesy of
Sonya Taypotat PIRA

I got started in rodeo when I was about 8 years old. It’s kind of hard to remember so many memories from back then but I recall I would get on young calves at a newly acquired rodeo arena just down the road.
 My brother would bull fight for me. Truthfully, I was scared of it because it was something new to me, but with out my brother’s constant support for me I wouldn’t be where I am today. And how I ended up getting over the fear is, I would just keep getting on until I wasn’t scared anymore.

 Growing up on a ranch surely benefited my riding ability in many ways. First off, getting to ride horses and constantly being in the presence of the cattle called for a deeper appreciation of animals. Secondly, by owning our own animals I had the opportunity to ride more often, and I would just get on when I could as often as I could.


 The person I am most thankful with and credit the most with my pursuit in bull riding would be my brother, Chad. He has supported me and helped guide me with his own knowledge and experiences of bull riding. Starting out, I had rode in the Little Britches Rodeos, which is for young kids to help introduce them into the rodeo experience, when I was about 10 and had my first taste of rodeo; The taste was all but sweet since I got injured. But the very next year I entered in the Western Indian Rodeo Exhibition and Association and I won my very first rodeo. Ever since then I had been a tough competitor in any rodeo I enter. It is difficult to focus on certain accomplishments and victories with out others, so I will address you about the ones that meant the most to me. 
 

For the past few years I’ve been riding at a hometown rodeo and have yet to qualify for a score in the bull riding. I made it a personal goal to make a qualified ride there, and just recently I rode and ended up winning that rodeo.


 Riding at that rodeo mean t more to me than even my second place finish last year at the Sarcee Nation Rodeo, which is one of Canada’s biggest native rodeos. And with out a doubt my greatest accomplishment so far in my career would have been qualifying to the 2002 INFR. The reason that means so much to me is because that whole season it was my goal and gave a full effort every time I would get on.




Wade's graduation picture below

Indian Rodeo News would like to thank Wade for taking the time to put together his story and providing us his pictures.  Wade serves as a role model for other Native Youth who are interested in following his footsteps.   We are sure to see more of Wade competing and winning in the rodeo arena!  

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 21  and under.   We welcome as many pictures you have to share with our readers.  Email your questions and or story to 
Gina@indianrodeonews.com