Howdy!

This has been such an exciting week, as we ventured over to the beautiful city of Montreal to spread some Western Hospitality during the 2008 Grey Cup. We started out by going to the WestmountPark Elementary School to bring a taste of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth to the children, with the 20/20 Band, fun Clowns, and of course, “Charlie Horse” the Stampeder’s Mascot. We sang and danced with the entire school with cardboard cowboy hats on each child’s head! We all had so much fun, we didn’t want to leave!

Then we had our famous FREE Stampede pancake and sausage breakfast in the Festival Village with the wonderful people of the Calgary Grey Cup Committee. My fellow Royals and I became pro pancake flippers, souvenir football tossers, and two-step teachers! We danced with anyone who’d lend out an arm… Even Touche’ the Alouettes Mascot! What a blast we had!

After our “Royal Duties” were finished, the girls and I hit the town to experience “Old Montreal” …but about a hundred years ago, it wasn’t called that, it was just called “Montreal”! (hehehe!) That line was cracked from our carriage driver as he toured us down the beautiful historic streets. We also got to see the Notre Dame Cathedral, in two words-Breath taking! Montreal will forever have a special place in my heart, and to top it all off… STAMPEDERS WON THE GREY CUP!!! YA-HOO!!

Now we enter into Christmas season, and come December-Its Vegas Time for the National Finals Rodeo! Lets see what kind of adventures we will run into then!

Happy Trails!
Kateri

November 7th we trekked up to Edmonton for the Canadian Finals Rodeo.   We made it to Edmonton just in time to mingle with all of the ladies of rodeo.  The Ladies of the CFR presented the Roper and Stetson luncheon and fashion show.    My modeling and runway training came in handy when I was asked to strut my stuff in a gorgeous fur coat with a handsome pro rodeo cowboy escort  - what more could a girl ask for.   Diamonds you say?  The next day went to the J.Vair Anderson Jewellers open house and admired all the gorgeous diamond jewelry.  After all, diamonds are a girls’ best friend and Christmas is coming!

Today the Royal Trio is off to Olympic Plaza to spread Christmas cheer and sing some carols. 

Hope to see you down there….and Oh Ya, Go Stamps Go!

Oki (hello in Blackfoot),

The crowning ceremony was fabulous! Also very holistic. Being blessed by Harold Healy and transfer of the crown, brought tears to my eyes!! I was so happy to see everyone, and am honored once again to be the official 2009 Calgary Stampede Indian Princess! Warm regards to Livia Manywounds the 2007 princess and her family.

I am learning so much from the royals training sessions and feel I have grown not only as a person but also a woman. Learning public speaking, cowboy poetry, art, cultural differences, make-up, agriculture, and so much more! I am the first Indian Princess to take part in such amazing training. Tonight we had the pleasure of learning posture, walking, poise, and most importantly confidence by the wonderful Fabricio Lorza Alvarado! I one day hope to go for Miss Universe Canada. The sky is the limit. Life is a journey! It is paramount to make the most of our life, especially at the prime of our youth. Even though I have been through the amazing training especially modeling and make up, I am still Nikkole. I humbled, and know these are life tools. If I can do this any girl can!

Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you will land among the stars.

Until next time…

Respectfully,

Nikkole R Heavy Shields ^_^

Howdy all!

We’ve had a whirlwind experience with our new titles these past few weeks as Kateri, Kerri, Nikkole and I go through stampede 101 sessions.  We learned how to erect a tipi as part of our exploration of the rich culture of the Treaty 7 First Nations, experienced western culture through the eyes of artists and cowboy poets, learned the intricate skills of applying makeup from Aria Studios, and learned a few modeling skills from Patti Falconer Agencies.
We got to break in our new Alberta Boots last Saturday when we attended the Wishmaker parade.  This 3km walk is in celebration of the granting of wishes for children with high-risk life threatening illnesses in Calgary, and increasing the awareness of wish granting by raising money through pledges.  Later that afternoon we participated in the Calgary Stampede Cutting Horse Futurity by carrying in the Canadian, American and CS flags.   We then made a mad dash to the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame Induction Banquet not stopping to change but rather undressing and redressing in the car as we drove in the Queen & Princess’ Yukon.   Once there, we dined with the 2008 inductees their families, and helped honor those elite members that embody the spirit of rodeo in a way that inspires us all.  People like Verne Franklin, Lawrence Hutchison, Ellis Lewis, Jerry Sinclair, Dale Johansen, Wayne Vold and a saddle bronc horse from Myers and Gormersall; Blue Bill.  Their wisdom honed from a lifetime of experience earned them the title of role model for the future generations of rodeo. They raised the bar for the rest of us.  And I was proud to be a part of such an amazing night.

Next week will see us 4 royals off to the 34th edition of the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton.  Hope to see you all there!!
Tara.