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 
June 2003: Tess Ducheneaux, 
Wade Marchand,
 Ethan Gopher
July 2003: Chantel Williams
August 2003: Trina Bowers, Bobby Louis, 
Desiree Smartlowit
September 2003: Raven Shade, Sammy Jo Bird
October 2003:  Ashlee Strom, Hattie Emm
November 2003: Sonya Goseyn
December 2003: 
January 2004:
February 2004: Nicole Welsh-Romo

Featured Native Youth
April 2004

Name: Bret Williams 
 
 
 
Age: 18 
 
 
 
 
Family: (Mom, Dad, Grandparents, brothers, sisters) 
 Alvin Williams (dad), Lucinda Williams (mom), Christina Williams (older sister), Crystal Williams (2nd older sister). 
 Shermen Williams (Late paternal grandfather), Effie Williams (paternal grandmother) 
 Edward George Sr. (maternal grandfather), Lillian George (maternal grandmother) 
 
 
What tribe are you a member of or descendant from? 
 I am a member of the Navajo Nation tribe. 
 
 
 
 
Grade in School, name of school: 
 I am a senior, and attending Independence High School in Glendale Arizona. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Activities you are involved in at your school: 
 I have been in activities such as, Soccer (00'-01'), Cross Country (00'-01') , 
 Student Council- Senator (01'-02'), Varsity Tennis (01'-02'), member of the S.A.D.D organization (03'-04'), and a member of the Year Book Press (03'-04') 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pets: (horses, cats, dogs, lizards, cattle, pigs, Llama's, etc) 
 I have a pet dog named "kc". He's a furry little thing and comes with us to every Rodeo.. I think he's our family mascot. 
 I also have a horse, his name is "Dino", my head horse. He's a little small but he gets me to the pay window. Another horse I use is "Cattle Guard", another head horse as well. I also occasionally use my dad's horse "Chyna". My dad's horse has a black coat and is Tall! (16 hands). Also, every now and then I try Heeling. For that I'll sometimes use my sister, Christina's horse, "Oakey".. her palomino. 
 
 
 
What events in Rodeo, Horse Showing, Showing Cattle, photography, or helping your family with are you involved in? (If you travel with your Mom and Dad at rodeos or horse shows, cattle shows, or working the ranch, please explain what your responsibilities are) 
 Well, usually when I go to events such as rodeo's, my responsibilities are to my horses. I have to look after them, water, feed, and groom them. I have to take care of all their riding and saddelry equipment. It's my job to make sure that they are in good shape, because if their in good shape they can do their job more better. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
What achievements have you made in your event you compete in or activities you are involved in? 
 Winner of the Flagstaff Junior Rodeo- Senior Boys Division (Team Roping "header"), All Around Boys Champion at the Flagstaff Junior Rodeo, Salt River Senior Boys Champion Header (Team Roping), Second Place in the Salt River Rodeo (Ribbon Roping), Second Place in the Salt River Junior Rodeo (Breakaway). Third Place at the Sacaton Junior Rodeo (Team Roping "header"), First and Second Place Winner at Wild Bill's Sports Arena. 
 "And I look foward to adding on to this list!" 
 
 
 
 
What are your future goals in your events you participate in? 
 My future goal is to someday make it to the INFR (Indian National Finals Rodeo) 
 And to become a well known and respected header. 
 
Who is your ultimate hero? 
I would have to say.. *My Dad!* "I wouldn't be where I'm at in roping without him." 
I would also like to say thanks to my mom and sisters for the support... and entry funding! 

Within the Rodeo world: Who is your ultimate favorite Cowboy and or Cowgirl? 
 My ultimate is Speed Williams... 
 because he's a great header and has won the NFR numerous times. 

What is your favorite TV show? 
 The Simpsons & OLN (high school & college rodeo's) 

What is your favorite Movie? 
 I Like a lot of movies, but don't really have a favorite. 
 

What are some of your favorite songs or musicians? 
 I Like mostly Hip Hop, Rap and Some country songs. 
 
What do you do, to help others? 
 Pay for some of my partners practice fees. 
 Or take my sister Christina's approach.. Try to Greet everyone with a smile. 
 and give encouragement where encouragement is needed. 

When you grow up and graduate from school, what are your plans for your profession? 
 I want to be a Computer Engineer, and Rodeo on the side. 
 

 Do you plan to attend college, if so, what is your major? 
 Yes I plan to attend college (preferably CAZC) and plan to major in computer programming and computer drafting. 
 
 
 
If you could give advice to another Native youth on how to get started doing what you are involved with, what advice would you give them? 
 First listen to your elders.. and listen very close to those who have experience. Everything you want to know they will tell you. Keep Swinging your rope everyday, and remember Practice makes Perfect. 
 There will be hard times.. but just remember as well.. there are followed by good. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you were granted one wish, what would it be? 
 To Be the National Finals Rodeo Team Roping Champion of the World. 
 
 
What would you do to educate others about being a Native American Youth from your tribe? (tell them about my culture, our tradition, share music with them, etc) 
 I would explain to those about my culture, values, and beliefs of the Navajo People "Dine'". For instance, some of the things I would mention is our traditional stories of the holy people, the Creation of our world's, the four sacred mountains, our traditional clothing and more.