In the early part of November, Kateri, Kerri and I were swept away to Edmonton for the 35^th edition of the Canadian Finals Rodeo.   We watched the Friday night performance where the evening theme was to honor the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, bringing members of the Canadian military on to the infield and unfolding a giant Canadian flag in front of a crowd of 16,033 spectators.  We were privileged to observe as the team ropers set a new arena record of 3.7 seconds, the boys steer riders re-joined the Finals for the first time since 2001, and Calgary Stampede’s Grated Coconut is Bareback Horse of the CFR forever in the history books.   While in Edmonton we also attended the Ladies of Canadian Professional Rodeo Western Winter Wonderland luncheon and fashion show helping raise funds for the Cowboy Benefit Fund and Canadian Pro Rodeo Sport Medicine Teams.  We also got the honor of meeting the newly crowned Miss Rodeo Canada 2009 Aaron Courchesne from my hometown of Okotoks and her princess from Nanton, Tara Slade.

In December we flew to my original hometown of Montreal QC, for the Grey Cup where I had the opportunity to speak my native tongue of French.   While there we danced the socks off of the Alouette fans, learned how to cook pancakes from the Grey Cup Committee, indulged in a few crepes, went for a horse-drawn calèche ride through Old Montreal, took a tour of the famous altar of the Notre Dame Basilica, met and danced with Alberta’s Premier Ed Stelmach and Quebec’s Premier Jean Charest, and supported our Calgary Stampeders’ football team as they brought home the grey cup.  Go Stamps, Go!!!

Next on the agenda was flying to the city that never sleeps; Las Vegas for the 50^th anniversary of the Wrangler National Finals rodeo to watch the top Cowboys and Cowgirls get crowned for the 2008 season.  While there, we did what girls do best – shopped until we dropped at Cowboy Christmas, watched as Amy Wilson (MRA 08) passed on her crown to the new Miss Rodeo America from California Maegan Ridley at the 2009 coronation, partied with the Calgary Stampede Rodeo Committee and watched the 2 hour action packed rodeo.

When we got home Kateri, Kerri, Nikkole and I kicked off the Christmas season by attending the Queen’s Alumni Giddy-up Christmas party held for the challenged children of Calgary.

I’d like to wish you all a fabulous holiday season and all the best in the New Year!  Wishing you love and laughter,

Tara

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

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!

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 ^_^

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.

This week has been so exciting! We have been learning so much about the Calgary Stampede, the past present and the future. I have met so many interesting people that are so passionate about the Stampede and what it stands for. One of the many things they taught about is the youth programs, I didn’t realize that there were so many! I am learning just how diverse, yet unique and beneficial the Calgary Stampede really is to the community.

One of the highlights of the week was the “Giddy Up Gala”. The whole banquet theme was 50’s Hollywood Stars, so it was so fun to dress up and “walk the red carpet”! This function is an annual function held by the Queens Alumni to raise money for children with special needs. Gord Bramford had a special screening of his music video that was filmed with some of the children that were at the function whom I was privileged to meet. If I had to explain it in one word it would be heart-warming.

Our next trip might not be as warm, nor as glamorous, but it’ll be FUN!! We are heading to the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton!! Ya-Hoo!
Hope to meet you there!

Happy Trails!
Kateri

A wonderful dinner was followed by a live and silent auction.  Raffle tickets were sold for a 1.7 ct. diamond bracelet.   We were delighted to hear Gord Bamford sing.  It was an awesome evening.  Thank you so much to all who came out to support such a worthwhile cause. 

Even though I enjoyed dressing up as Marilyn Monroe and wearing stilettos, I have to admit that my Cowboy Boots are more comfortable!!

My name is Nikkole Rosie Heavy Shields. I am 19 years old and currently working at the Awo Taan Native Women’s Healing Lodge Society as a youth and parent support worker.I plan to attend college for  Social work next fall, also to play college basket-ball . I am from Kainai (the blood reserve) located by Fort Macleod and Lethbridge area. Kainai is the largest reserve in North America. I am so humbled and honored to represent the 5 tribes of the Treaty 7 ,I cant express to you how it feels to be the 2009 Calgary Stampede Indian Princess. 

It still hasn’t kicked in!! Looking back at my past visits to the Indian Village as a young girl I would always admire the Indian Princess, the way she carried herself, strong and ever so friendly. She was whom I destined to be someday. I grew up in Calgary but I always danced in Pow wow’s and would visit my family back on the reserve. There wasn’t many Pow wows in Calgary so when the Stampede came it was a thrill to attend the Pow wow, munch on an Indian Taco and to meet the princess. I admired her pride, to be so open about our culture at the greatest outdoor show in the world always inspired me. The person who truly inspired me to run for the Calgary Stampede Indian Princess 2009 was Livia Joy Manywounds, my room mate in college, mentor, make-up specialist, and true friend. She is a go getter, and I know she is going to have many more great accomplishments. She is a true role model to our people!

So here I am. I already know it is going to be a great year. I had the pleasure of meeting the Stampede Q & P’s, Queen Kerri, Princesses Kateri and Tara. They are such down to earth , smart, outgoing young ladies, my new sisters. I am looking forward to my crowning this weekend! It is going to be something I will remember for the rest of my life.

Until next time,

-Nikkole Heavy Shields