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.

Hey everyone!

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

Saturday night we strolled the red carpet with celebrity look alikes such as Elizabeth Taylor, Indianna Jones and Bonnie & Clyde.  The night in Hollywood theme celebrated the 10^th annual Giddy up Gala hosted by the Queens Alumni Committee, Calgary Stampede Foundation and Maxim Power Corp.   This year the goal was to raise $225,000.00 for children with special needs.

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!!

Oki (hello) bloggers,

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

Howdy Stampede Royalty Fans!

This has been one exciting and stressful month of competition in the Stampede Royalty Trio Contest.  I have met some amazing women and tested myself to the maximum.  It was an honor to ride at  each performance of the Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship (CRTC) in the same arena as the Top Cowgirls and Cowboys as they competed for a chance to qualify at the upcoming CFR in Edmonton and the 2009 Calgary Stampede.  Now we will all be going down that road together.  I am so grateful to be a part of the Royal Trio! Imagine being crowned a Princess!  Kerri, Kateri and I will be sharing the next year together.  Stay turned into this Stampede Website to share with us our many adventures representing the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the Calgary Stampede!
See you along the trail, Tara

I woke up the morning of last day of the CRTC, thinking about my final impromptu speech of the competition.   Little did I know that there would be many more speeches to come that day.    My heart was pounding as the six finalists lined up the end of the Arena.   When my name was called as the 2009 Stampede Queen  I went numb.   The next couple of hours were a blur of camera flashes and congratulations.   This Saturday marks  the first official appearance for Tara, Kateri and myself……..your 2009 Royal Trio.

Howdy everyone!

Thank you for your interest in the Stampede adventures! Let me tell you a little bit about myself.

My name is Kateri Cowley. I grew up, live and work at Rafter Six Ranch, and I train horses for a living so that other people can enjoy horses the way I do! I also work in the Motion Picture Industry as a Wrangler, Stunts, background actor, and extras casting. Recently, I was welcomed into the Stampede family as a princess! This is a HUGE honor to me, as I have dreamed about it since I was “knee high to a pony”! I remember going to the Stampede with my family as a young girl, and racing over to see as much as I could! The horses at the Rodeo! The Animals! The Indian Village! The fair grounds! The Grandstand Show! And Oh so much more!! But what I remember the most was getting to meet the Royal Trio, looking way up at them and seeing how stunning the Cowgirls are. Being a cowgirl was not only in my dreams, it was a destiny.
At the Canadian Finals Rodeo Tour Championship in the beginning of October of this year, it was time for the new trio to be crowned after a month long of competition with some of Calgary’s finest lady cowgirls. Sitting atop a paint horse, my heart was racing. I felt the excitement of the crowed as the names of the winners were spoken… I made it! I was so excited; I walked across the dirt filled arena to shake hands with President George Brookman and receive the Princess crown for 2009 as tears of joy filled my eyes.

Right after we left the arena, we were whisked away to be on Camera and tell everyone about this new, year long adventure with Princess Tara and Queen Kerri, and Indian Princess Nikkole Heavy Shields! I cannot wait to start our exciting journeys together! They all are sweet and genuine people, and it will be so fun to grow and learn new things with them. This week we are training and learning about the many wonderful aspects of the Stampede and Culture! Last night we set up a Teepee and told stories of the old west.

Find out what more adventures we set forth next week!

Happy Trails!!

Kateri Cowley

Well, the 2008 Calgary Stampede has come to a close and it was quite a week.  It was a week full of ups and downs, but all in all, I have nothing to complain about.  For myself, it was the first time in quite a few years that I didn’t have a wagon in the final heat, which is what you hope for when they blow the horn on opening night.  The teams that I was a part of just couldn’t get there for a variety of reasons.  I was proud to say that I was riding in an era where Joe Carbury was the voice of the Stampede, and equally proud to be there for his last call.  It brought a tear to my eye when it finally hit home that Joe won’t be back.  I am still holding out hope that he changes his mind and makes a cameo or two next year.  I was lucky enough to outride for my grandfather Orville Strandquist in 1991 for his last race at Calgary after more than 50 years of racing at the Stampede, and last night felt similar to that.  It was the end of an era, a legend, icon, and hero retiring.  Good luck Joe, thanks for the memories my friend.  Congratulations to Sean Debolt for winning the Orville Strandquist Rookie Award, it felt great to ride for him and he also used my horse this week.  Also, congratulations to Jason Glass for winning the Richard Cosgrave Memorial Award and dedicating it to “Gram”, Iris Glass.  Gram may not be in the best of health right now, but you can bet she is proud beyond proud.  Huey Sinclair is quietly carving out a legendary career, to win the Stampede 4 times is amazing, and he has surpassed some of the greatest drivers in history.  Thank you, and God Bless.