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
April 2004: Ashley Picard, Brett Williams
May 2004: Jesse Gonzales

This Month we are recognizing  

Jesse Gonzales

Name: Jesse M Gonzales 
 
 
 
Age: 17 years 
 
 
 
 
Family: (Mom, Dad, Grandparents, brothers, sisters) 
 Dad: Vergil Gonzales
Step Dad: Russell Bias
Mom: Carmen Bias
Brother: Robert Gonzales
Step Brother: Brandon Bias
Step Sister: Trayce Bias 
 
 
What tribe are you a member of or descendant from? 
 Tribal member of the Round Valley Indian Reservation/Mission Band Indians of Santa Ynez, California 
 
 
 
 
Grade in School, name of school: 
 I am a junior at the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School in Santa Ynez, Ca.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Activities you are involved in at your school: 
 Football and High School Rodeo, on the Rez I play basketball 
 
  
 
 
Pets: (horses, cats, dogs, lizards, cattle, pigs, Llama's, etc) 
 I have my own playful pup named Pepper.  She is a Queensland/Border Collie Cross. Family critters include 6 ranch horses, 2 ranch dogs, and a handful of chickens and one cat. 
 
 
 
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) 
 I have been in rodeo since I was a little guy.  I won my first buckle when I was 5, muttin busting in Santa Maria, California and last year I won the State title of Bareback Champion and traveled to Farmington, New Mexico.  Since that point I just seem to be getting better at what I do.  The events I compete in are Bareback, Saddle Bronc, and Bull Riding.  My step brother "Brandon" rides really well in the Saddle Bronc event and was third in the state and he went to the Nationals also.  He has a good chance of winning this year.  My step Dad used to ride a lot of bucking horses and ropes competitively now.  My Mom has ridden all her life and has been out of barrel racing competition for a while.  We all keep busy on our 30,000 acre ranch in California.  We watch over 3200 head of cattle and ride a lot of young colts.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
What achievements have you made in your event you compete in or activities you are involved in? 
 
Beside high school rodeo I am actively involved in advocacy work.  I am working with an organization called Buck Tobacco (www.bucktobacco.org) I think it is wrong that the big tobacco companies target youth to get them hooked on chewing tobacco. 
I hope to continue to be a strong athlete in the sport of rodeo.  I am a IPRA card holder and enjoying taking the next step.  Right now I am also looking at rodeo colleges here in California.  
 
 
 
 
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? 
Creator.  He continues to supply my safety and health and the ability to ride.  

Within the Rodeo world: Who is your ultimate favorite Cowboy and or Cowgirl? 
 There are several PRCA competitors that I enjoy watching but Chris Le Deux would be at the top of my list.  

What is your favorite TV show? 
 I really don't have one because I am always so busy practicing or working.  

What is your favorite Movie? 
 The Cowboys with John Wayne 
 

What are some of your favorite songs or musicians? 
 Anything with Chris LeDeux 
 
What do you do, to help others? 
 I enjoy assisting my fellow roughies. 

When you grow up and graduate from school, what are your plans for your profession? 
 Right now I just want to finish high school and get good grades.  I am looking at Lassen Community College.  They have several certificate programs that I am interested in.  I want to be my own employer so that I have the freedom to travel.  Construction and Gunsmith interests me.   
 

  
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 visit and talk to the student athletes that are in the event that you are interested in.  Go to a good rodeo school, like Lyle Sankey's.  Continue to improve through practice and more practice.  Keep your grades up because rodeo takes you places you have never been and you'll love the people. 
 
 
 
 
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) 
 Be respectful to yours and other's cultures.  Be respectful to Mother Earth, give thanks to the Creator, be respectful to your elders, they help you get to where you are going.  Most of all respect your parents. 

Indian Rodeo News would like to thank Jesse for taking time out of his busy schedule at school to interview with us, he is a role model and we are sure to see more of him in the rodeo arena down the road!  

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?  

Indian Rodeo News asks for you to send in your story about yourself, who inspired you to ride, rodeo, ranch, etc.  You must be age 18 and under.   We welcome as many pictures you have to share with our readers.  Email your questions and or story to 
Gina@indianrodeonews.com