Oskana Rodeo Club set to ride
The Oskana Rodeo Club is bursting onto the scene as one of the only tour rodeos in Saskatchewan. It is a non-profit organization that focuses on educating and influencing Regina’s inner-city youth about the spirit of the horse.
“We are trying to get sponsorship to get kids out to the rodeo so they can see First Nations people compete,” said Beatle Soop, President of the Oskana Rodeo Club.
However, rodeos are not easily scheduled in Regina, due to the lack of a permanent facility, which is something that Soop is hoping to remedy in the very near future. The organization is currently working on developing and constructing a permanent indoor rodeo/ equestrian riding facility on one of the First Nations just outside Regina. This will be the first of its kind in the community.
Until Soop can bring the kids to the rodeo, he would like to bring the rodeo to the kids.
“I’d like to go to the inner-city schools with a few horses and play fun rodeo games like roping to introduce the kids to the horse culture,” said Soop. It’s a tradition that he feels has been forgotten among First Nations youth. “The youth have forgotten or have not been taught that spirit. It is our goal to teach them through the rodeo and other riding events.”
The spirit of the horse is a tradition that the First Nations people take very seriously. It symbolizes freedom and energy.
For centuries, the horse has been extremely important to the First Nations way of life. It was used to hunt, protect themselves from enemies, and represented status in a tribe. When a warrior captured a wild mustang, he would try to tame the horse. If the warrior was bucked off, the horse was given to another warrior to try. The warrior who did tame the horse would then own that horse and spirit.
Soop would ultimately like to incorporate other entertainment into his rodeos as well. Musician Armond Duck Chief won the Calgary Stampede. He is a steer wrestler and singing cowboy. Soop would like to stage a free concert for all attendees, and then host an open talent show in the evening after the rodeo.
Soop is driven to give back to and involve the community in what he loves. His involvement with inner city kids is very important to him. Nearly all kids love horses, but for Soop to be able to take that interest and teach First Nations children about such an integral part of their culture and heritage is extremely rewarding.
Soop is also involved in the Canadian Indian Rodeo, and will be taking part in the 2013 finals in Saskatoon on October 10 to 12 at Prairieland Park.
The organization, in association with tje North American Indian Rodeo Association ANAIRA), will also host six Canadian Tour Rodeos. The top six rodeo contestants from NAIRA and the top six from the tour will compete at the finals.
This will be the first time an Indian Rodeo will showcase Canada’s top rodeo cowboys and cowgirls. Twelve of the best contestants in 14 events will compete for the Canadian Championships in a number of categories including bull riding, saddle bronco riding, and barrel racing.
The Canadian Indian Rodeo will be touring through Saskatchewan and Alberta from June to September. For more information, visit www.canadianindianrodeo.com.
For more information about the Oskana Rodeo Club, visit www.oskanarodeoclub.com.